Designed to facilitate component inspection, measurement, and data collection, AddiCheck interfaces directly to DataBend and PowerBend CNC tube bending machines and also provides necessary coordinate data to set up non-CNC machines. System is comprised of portable workbench, optical probe attached to 5-axis digitally encoded measuring arm, laptop computer with software, and optional printer. Addata G Plus technology provides distortion-free measurement.

Global tube manipulation technology providers, AddisonMckee, have developed AddiCheck, a brand new, lower cost, non-contact tube measuring solution designed specifically to make the whole process of component inspection, measurement and data collection exceptionally user friendly.

Capability and functionality

Embracing AddisonMckee’s latest software technology for non-contact tube measurement - and benefiting from the considerable development expertise that was used to create the company’s industry-leading Addata “G” Plus measuring solution - AddiCheck models offer levels of capability and functionality more suited to mid-market tube manipulation organizations.

Industry-leading pedigree

Widely accepted as a revolutionary non-contact tube measuring and inspection system, AddisonMckee’s Addata “G” Plus technology has long been recognized as the “total tube data” solution for virtually every industry involved in the manufacture of tubular components.

Through the newly-launched AddiCheck tube measuring and inspection machine, AddisonMckee now offers a highly competitive, non-contact probe measuring solution that affords greater accuracy over contact tube probe inspection machines and is extremely simple to operate.

Complete solution

Consisting of a portable workbench, an optical probe attached to a newly designed 5-axis digitally encoded measuring arm, a laptop computer running simple-to-follow software, plus an optional printer, AddiCheck is designed to interface directly with AddisonMckee’s range of modern DataBend and PowerBend CNC tube bending machines, AddiCheck will also provide the necessary co-ordinates data to set up non CNC machines.

Simple operation

When using the AddiCheck machine, operators simply place the component to be measured on the system’s portable workbench, key in the relevant data and use the non-contact probe to achieve totally distortion-free measuring where two points on each straight section between bends are to be probed.

Sweep and probe principle

This process can be done from either end of a bend as the system automatically reverses the ends if required. The principle is to sweep the probe into the tube areas adjacent to each bend tangent or end point. This is something the operator can achieve single-handedly as the probe initializes itself for the next measurement automatically. The direction of flow is from one straight to the next, stopping only for measuring the ends or shallow bends. For added simplicity, the AddiCheck machine provides an audible tone as each step of the measuring process is completed.

Inspection criteria

The mathematical relationship between bender moves Y, B, C and the X, Y, Z co-ordinates is non-linear. This means there is no direct one-to-one relationship between a change in bending machine moves and the resulting X, Y, Z deviation. A best-fit routine is therefore utilized where the tube is measured against a master set of data.

Optional data print-out

After completion of the measuring sequence, if the optional printer is fitted, a print out documenting end lengths and angles can be produced along with X, Y, Z / Y, B, C data.

A longer report, detailing the deviations of the tangent points and the deviation in length, angle and rotation can also be printed. The part number, time and date are also recorded on both reports.

Important opportunity

Commented AddisonMckee Director of Global Marketing, Christian Rogiers, “The introduction of the AddiCheck Tube Measuring and Inspection Machine provides an important opportunity for those mid-sized organizations seeking to achieve precise levels of data for programming bending machines and for inspection purposes. Complementing our Addata “G” Plus model, AddiCheck delivers the levels measuring capability that smaller tube bending facilities may have previously had difficulty in justifying.”

About AddisonMckee

Globally renowned for the design, manufacture and supply of some of the world’s finest tube bending and end forming technologies - for increasingly complex automotive, aviation, truck and shipbuilding requirements - AddisonMckee also offers highly innovative tube measuring solutions, tube perforation, piercing and louvring technologies, hydraulic press machinery, muffler assembly solutions, plant automation and complete workcell integration.

In addition to these capabilities, a whole range of tooling and accessory options are also provided, as are comprehensive maintenance and service contracts, training and education programs and financial services. Where applicable, AddisonMckee is also able to offer customers the opportunity of machine rebuilds, refurbishment, upgrades and trade-ins.