The Mountains Surface Analysis Business Unit of Digital
Surf, the surface metrology solutions provider, announced the release of
a new software module, Advanced Contour, which is part of the Mountains surface
analysis software suite. The new module will be shown at the Control International
Trade Show for Quality Assurance at the Stuttgart Exhibition Centre, 5-8 May
2009.
Mountains Advanced Contour. Comparison of measured profile with nominal form, showing magnified form deviations (green for within tolerance, red for outside tolerance).
The Advanced Contour module is a complete solution for controlling the dimensions
of profiles measured on component surfaces. With an intuitive icon-based user
interface, full set of metrological functions, graphical display of form deviations,
automatic quality report generation, and the ability to export results to quality
management systems, it ensures that contour analysis is not only accurate but
also as straightforward and fast as possible. Running under Windows XP and Vista,
the new software is designed for integration into form measurement instruments,
including instruments working on the nanometric scale, and for use in any research
or production facility. The module was released successfully in 2008, exclusively
to the customers of one of Digital Surf’s partners. Advanced Contour is
now available for everyone.
Using intuitive easy to learn tools, profiles are segmented into geometrical
elements whose dimensions are evaluated automatically. An automatic matching
process superimposes the nominal form on the measured profile, making it possible
to display form deviations graphically and calculate form deviation parameters.
Measurement data can also be compared with a nominal form in DXF format output
by a CAD system.
The quality report is built automatically in the background as the user works.
It includes a full table of results listing the values of dimensions and parameters,
their tolerance limits and their pass/fail status. The full analysis history
is stored and can be output to a text file to assure full metrological traceability.
Out of tolerance points on the profile are shown in red, facilitating the location
and quantification of faults on the nominal form. Profiles with large dimensional
tolerances can be analyzed using special tools based on construction lines allowing
the definition of intersection points. This makes it possible to reposition
elements correctly despite large dimensional or positional variations. Other
features include the analysis of “Gothic Arches” for characterizing
raceways.
Advanced Contour documents can be used as templates for controlling series
of measurements. After a template has been applied to generate a new document,
this document can be modified at any time and all numerical values affected
by a modification are recalculated automatically.
"Mountains Advanced Contour is a complete solution set for the analysis
of component form and geometry, designed to maximize ease of use,” stated
François Blateyron, Managing Director of Digital Surf’s Mountains
Surface Analysis Business Unit. "It has already been proven in the field
for both mechanical and nanotechnology applications. The release of this new
Advanced Contour module is consistent with our strategy to diversify and broaden
the range of our surface metrology solutions.”
The new module will be demonstrated on the Digital Surf stand (hall 3, stand
3518) at the Control trade show in Stuttgart from the 5th to the 8th of May
2009.