Case study · Mubea

Measuring axle springs without operator influence.

Mubea, a leading global manufacturer of products for chassis, body and powertrain, measures axle springs with the Qsigma SMS: wear-free, with fully automatic detection of the spring ends and connected to its own software.

Customer: Mubea
Part: Axle springs
System: SMS
Sensors: Micro-Epsilon
Software: InnoMeas
Use: Set-up process, development

Mubea technology centre and headquarters with the company sign in the foreground — Mubea · technology centre and headquarters

In brief

The SMS detects the start and end of the spring fully automatically; operator influence is virtually eliminated.
Repeatability has improved significantly, and the measurement is wear-free.
The path from the development stage to the first sample is shorter.

Starting point

Mubea was using a mechanical measuring system for axle springs. Optical systems on the market did not achieve the required accuracy and ease of use.

Requirements

virtually eliminate operator influence: find the start and end of the spring automatically
higher rotation speed with the same repeatability
wear-free laser measurement
interface to Mubea’s own software
use in development as well: transfer the virtual spring geometry to the CNC coiling machine

Solution

Qsigma supplied the SMS. The spring stands upright between two interchangeable cones; gravity holds it stably in position. Positioning requires no special knowledge. Measurement is carried out with laser sensors from Micro-Epsilon, evaluated with InnoMeas and connected to Mubea’s own algorithm.

Two points were particularly demanding: the automatic detection of the spring ends and inhomogeneous surfaces, which can be rough, reflective or painted. Qsigma solved both together with Mubea.