The IM series accelerates and simplifies the inspection process of Timex watch components

KEYENCE's image dimensioning system allows for easy and fast inspection

Timex is an United States watch brand with a history of 100 years, and its products are distributed in more than 80 countries around the world. Its France subsidiary, Fralsen, is responsible for three main parts of production: injection molding of precision parts; turning and cutting parts such as gears, pinions, shafts and rivets; as well as cutting and winding complex springs. Touch sensors (comparators, Cary devices, backlash spindles) and optical systems must be used to inspect delicate parts.

"We need more modern and efficient optical inspection equipment. In other words, we need to inspect more parts in less time. Sylvain Scotto, Quality Control at Fralsen. We needed a machine that could be operated even by non-professionals and that could record the measurement results.

The tolerance for concentricity requires an accuracy of 15 μm, and the tolerance for center-to-center spacing and distance requires an accuracy of ± 10 μm. Each part has at least five key points.

Sylvain Scotto adds: "With conventional inspection equipment, the measurement time is long, it is not possible to inspect a large number of parts, and there are measurement errors due to external variations in series production. Before using the IM series, we tried various devices. While our optical measuring devices are accurate, they are not practical and require a high level of operator proficiency to achieve fast daily measurements. Tool microscopes are capable of accurate measurements, but they require careful handling, severely limiting the number of measurements and the number of parts, and a calibration reference point must be established. Finally, due to sometimes long inspection times, our templates and projectors can only be used to measure a limited number of parts and there is a risk of incorrect interpretation. ”

"The IM series is easier to operate, saves time and eliminates variations in the interpretation of measurement results, displaying results in green (pass) or red (fail). KEYENCE's solution enables multiple parts to be measured at the same time. The size of the part and the number of elements that make up the program are limiting factors. The system automatically recognizes the shape of each part, saves the results and tracks statistics. Compare part contours against datum contours imported from CAD files, eliminating the need to position the template on the part to visually detect shape differences. The machine is able to perform operations automatically and extract profile images that show differences and tolerances. Measurements are fast and no special skills are required. ”

The new IM-6500 series image dimensioning systems measure dimensions reliably and in almost no time. Measure with just one touch. Measure up to 99 locations in seconds with a repeatability of ± 1 micron. Regardless of position or orientation, the system is able to find and measure the target without human error.

Thanks to the iPASS shape detection method, the system is able to accurately find the target position and angle and make automatic measurements.

Sylvain Scotto: "The operating system is extremely easy because all you need to do is adjust the focus and load the program to inspect the part. Before warehousing, a quality control technician uses the machine to perform the final inspection of the part. Operators in the cutting shop also use the system to measure parts during production. Faster inspection times, better dimensional tracking, and improved delivery quality, and we have not received any complaints from our customers about the parts being measured by the machine. For example, we use the KEYENCE IM-6500 system to detect the concentricity of each cut-off wheel and automatically record the measurement results. ” The IM series accelerates and simplifies the inspection process of Timex watch components

The IM series accelerates and simplifies the inspection process of Timex watch components

Mean time to detection

	Traditional monitoring methods		KEYENCE IM series
Component type/measurement object	Number of parts	Total Time Required (min)	Number of parts	Total Time Required (min)
Cut-off wheels/concentric	25	15	25	6
Stator/shape and size	3	5	6	2
Correction wheel/concentric	2	2	10	3
Sheet metal/center-to-center spacing	1	15	2	3

The profile of the stator is superimposed on the CAD file. When using the previous methods (templates and projectors), the procedure takes a long time. It can now inspect three parts in one minute instead of five in five minutes. The mechanical engineering department can also view the outlines of the parts that need to be reworked. The red outline shows that the stator is within the tolerance limit (blue area).

Gear corrector: Detects the concentricity of teeth using the bore. With a profile projector and template, three parts can be inspected in three minutes. With the IM series, Timex can detect (and record) more than 10 parts at the same time at the same time.