Varying tolerances are part of daily manufacturing business. Often they are the main reason for process failures or quality problems. Despite significant programming efforts, deviations between the planned path and the actual path often cannot be avoided.

The seam tracking function developed by ibs Automation enables highly accurate control of the tool center point based on the actual geometry and the actual position of the components to be processed. The exact positioning of the processing unit in relation to the components, allows best technological results. Reject rates are reduced and product quality increases significantly. Productivity is increased as a result of reduced teaching.

The seam tracking cycle is comprised of the following steps:

• measurement of seam geometry with profile sensor
• evaluation of seam position based on measurement result and actual axis positions
• generation of a new NC block based on actual seam position
• processing of new NC block