Reliably Measure at the Push of a Button

"Quickly and reliably obtaining ISO-compliant, traceable and reproducible measured values was a key aspect for us in Product Development," says Andrzej Grzesiak, Head of Metrology Systems at ZEISS. The result is an optical measuring system that is automated during the generation of measuring programs and the measurement itself. Measurements are initiated at the push of a button: the operator places the workpiece in the measuring field and launches the program. This measuring system is ZEISS'' solution for a wide range of industries – from automotive to electronics to plastics. ZEISS O-SELECT is particularly suitable for checking the dimensional accuracy of distances, radii or angles.

Factors such as depth of focus and illumination play a key role in optical measurements. Operators can cause systematic measurement errors without noticing them simply by selecting the wrong settings. The consequences of an inaccurate configuration can result in deviations of several micrometers, in depth of focus for example. ZEISS O-SELECT automatically eliminates blurriness at the edges even if the operator cannot see it. The ZEISS measuring system automatically selects the right distance of the camera to the object, focuses the workpiece edges and maximizes contrast. Furthermore, the measuring machine calculates the illumination intensity that can vary from workpiece to workpiece. "Implementing and automating the complex interaction between optics and illumination make a measurement traceable, reproducible and therefore reliable," says Grzesiak.

Fast programming, intuitive operation

ZEISS O-SELECT sets itself apart from other systems not only through its ability to independently recognize features, but also through its intelligent suggestions for characteristics such as distances and radii. With just a few clicks, users select the required features, which are then integrated into a measuring program. The programs are created in a self-explanatory process. ZEISS calls this new functionality Click & Pick.