Neptune Sonar, a leader in underwater transducer technology, has achieved a 50% reduction in quality assurance time at its subsidiary,
Zeus Piezoceramic, by implementing the Trimos V5 height gauge supplied by Bowers Group.
Zeus Piezoceramic produce PZT ceramic parts with very precise sizes and tolerances, essential for sonar technology used in underwater imaging and communication. These materials generate electrical signals when compressed and produce movement when electrically charged. This unique property enables them to convert electrical signals into mechanical vibrations and vice versa, making them crucial for maritime security, seabed mapping, and marine research.
Sam Parry, a material scientist at Zeus Piezoceramic, said: “Ensuring the highest quality of product is paramount to us, as it can play a critical role in sonar equipment. We sought a more reliable solution that offered a higher resolution than calipers and micrometers, while also aiming to eliminate human error. The Trimos V5 height gauge has proven to be easy-to-use, accurate, and consistent. The time saved and the improvements in our measurements are invaluable to our production. We were very happy with the service from Bowers Group — the demonstration before purchase ensured the ease and accuracy were as promised.”
The height gauge has helped Zeus drastically reduce the time spent on quality analysis measurements, whether at the end of the process or during machining set up checks. Its high-resolution capabilities and ability to measure at constant pressure ensured that critical dimensions of sonar ceramics were consistently accurate. This investment not only streamlined quality assurance but also significantly reduced measurement time, leading to improved product quality and faster production cycles.
Setting up the machine is straightforward, and tasks like calibration and zeroing quickly become routine. Its sensitivity allows for accurate measurement of thickness differences after machining, electrode application, and poling. This helps determine the precise machining specifications needed to achieve the desired resonant frequency after all processing steps.
Furthermore, both the barrel and sphere inserts expand the measurement capabilities of the Trimos V5 height gauge. The barrel insert is particularly useful for measuring segments and blocks, while the sphere insert works well for measuring hemispheres, tubes, and rings. Additionally, the Bluetooth adapter for the V-Series height gauges enables instant data transmission to software, offering a quick and efficient solution for data collection while eliminating the risk of human error during input.
Using the V5 to measure ceramics has significantly reduced Zeus's quality analysis time. The quick and accurate measurements led to a setup change, resulting in more parallel parts throughout the entire length of the ceramic. This has halved the time needed to measure and capture data for some parts. The height gauge has, therefore, become invaluable to the production process at the company.