Federal-Mogul has announced the introduction of an all-new non-contact piston ring measuring process, which it claims will enhance production control and quality assurance.
The automated process, which was jointly developed with NanoFocus AG, will enable optical-confocal measurement of piston ring roughness and microstructure.
The development, which was designed for production and quality assurance in the Burscheid manufacturing plant, is a specific combination of an optical measuring system from NanoFocus and software and product database from the Tier One supplier.
The new technology now has semi-automatic approach to the target measuring position on the ring running surface, and is measured over a measuring spot of 0.8 x 0.8mm2. This means that operator influence, in the form of selecting the right measuring point, can be ruled out.
In addition to this, the system will use Federal-Mogul’s proprietary software in addition to data on core roughness, reduced peak height roughness to automatically analyze and evaluate.
Designed to optimize the friction, wear and durability of the piston ring components. The American company claim the development will enable the company to reduce mechanical stress in the tribological system, this means that engine efficiency and emissions behavior should be improved.
Ulrich Lenhof, head of the project team at Federal-Mogul, spoke to the media about the new system. “We have found the right measuring technology partner which optimally meets our requirements with regard to precision, quality and efficiency.”
In addition to Burscheid, the Tier One supplier plan to introduce the technology to other Federal-Mogul production sites.
Marcus Grigat, COO of NanoFocus confirmed plans to introduce the system on a larger scale. “The optical-confocal measuring system has been adapted both in terms of hardware and software especially for the analysis of piston ring running surfaces at Federal-Mogul and offers the option carry out production-related measurement of large quantities.”
