VTube-LASER's UNMATCHED Measuring Concepts

VTube-LASER can do some things that other measuring centers cannot or will not do:
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  • VTube-LASER can use one scanner for every diameter. It can measure a string and make it a centerline for the US Navy. We've measured 12" diameter pipe for the US Army. All of that was performed with the same scanner.

  • ​VTube-LASER calculates the real OD value on-the-fly when it calculates a cylinder centerline. Other systems require that you enter the nominal OD, then they rely on that nominal OD being correct (which is nearly never is).

  • VTube-LASER calculates the cylindricity and out-of-round % for every straight in real-time.

  • VTube-LASER can measure a part on a table, on the floor, or even installed in the application using the Cut Plane and Diameter Cut Plane features. We invented both of those features for customers.

  • VTube-LASER can measure square and rectangular tube shapes too. Most other tube measurement systems cannot.​

  • VTube-LASER can connect up to 100 benders out of the box. The protocols are embedded in VTube-LASER and included in the cost of the initial license. (Unlike other systems, there is no extra charge for each bender or bender protocol.)

  • VTube-LASER uses a unique SPLIT BEND feature that we invented specifically for measuring bend angles from 180 degrees up to 360 degrees. No other software package offers this feature. (We invented this feature too.)
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  • VTube-LASER can measure and align entire assemblies of tube shapes in the same project. 
  • VTube-LASER can build any tube you measure to SOLIDWORKS in seconds. The tube built is a fully-constrained parametric 3DSketch-based part.

Five-Level Cylinder Fit Check

VTube-LASER uses a unique Cylinder Fit qualification method to help the user know that the measurement of each straight is good in real-time. ​Each tube straight is required to pass up to 5 levels of real-time qualification checks before it's scanned data is accepted as good.
  • Wobble Deviation​ - ​The math engine predicts how confident it is in its projection to the centerline.
  • Cylindricity - ​​The math engine checks the difference between the high point and low point on the surface relative to the centerline.
  • Out-of-Round % - ​The math engine checks the out-of-round percentage (which is similar to calculating ovality - but with better math).
  • Intersection Nearest Pass - ​The math engine checks by how far apart do two 3-D straights miss when the pass each other.
  • DCF (Dual Cylinder Fit) Point Repeatability - ​The math engine compares the end points of two calculated cylinders by dividing the surface points into two subgroups first. The two centerlines must match the positions of each other in space within a pre-programmed tolerance.

Cool Invention #1: DCF (Dual Cylinder Fit)

 The VTube-LASER DCF (Dual Cylinder Fit) feature is an invention that makes a huge difference in repeatability and reproducibility by measuring every tube twice internally when you measure it the first time.

VTube-LASER can use DCF because it uses laser surface scanners to take in huge amounts of tube surface point data that can then be broken down into two sub-groups for automatic comparison to each other. If the calculated data is too far apart, then VTube asks you to re-scan the straight.

Other systems cannot easily perform DCF calculations - because they don't use surface laser scanners like VTube-LASER.​

Cool Invention #2: DCP (Diameter Cut Plane)

Our customer, Holley MSD, counts on the VTube-LASER DCP (Diameter Cut Plane) feature to measure their high-performance Hooker Blackheart exhaust systems. Our AIM Machine customers use it to effectively measure small bent wire shapes that turn back on themselves.

DCP is an invention that makes measuring in tight spaces in assemblies or small parts that twist back on themselves possible with a scanner. The idea is to allow VTube-LASER to keep only the first object it comes to along the axis of the probe spindle - and exclude any laser point that is too far from that first point.  Not only does this help in crowded assemblies, but it also has the secondary benefit of throwing potential flyers out of the scan data.​

Other systems just don't have this kind of capability - because they require that you surround the tube (fork probe), or they try to sort out assemblies for you (camera systems).
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