Tips from the Cal Lab – Force Setup Reduction with Morehouse Quick Change Adapters
Morehouse employees went through a lean manufacturing course. Part of this course emphasized reducing cycle time, by reducing the amount of time it would take (Force Setup Reduction) to set up equipment for a load cell calibration.
During the class, the concept of “quick changeover” was discussed and applied to a single-piece flow. We had the idea to apply some of these setup reduction concepts to our force calibration lab since the lab workflow mimics that of single-piece flow production.
We discovered that a set of universal tension members in our calibration machines could be used along with a few mating adapters, and this reduced three shelves full of various adapters down to half a shelf.
Soon after building these for our lab, visiting customers started asking for their own sets, and we decided to start offering Quick Change Tension Member Assemblies. Do you want to improve your measurement process, save space, and reduce the long-term cost of purchasing many adapters for each instrument you need to calibrate?
Then Morehouse force setup reduction adapters can improve your process and bottom line.
- Reduce Tension Changeover Time
- Improve Alignment by using a Spherical Radius Contact as Defined by ISO 376 (note below)
- Improve Alignment and better Repeatability
- Reduce Overall Calibration Cycle time
- Simplify Setups by Using One Tension Member with Several Adapters
- Standardize Production Flow
- Available for capacities up to 500kN or 112,000 lbf.
Quick Change Adapter in Morehouse UCM for Force Setup Reduction
Reducing the changeover time allows for a more efficient calibration process that does not sacrifice quality while improving cycle time. Moreover, the shorter cycle time allows for improvements regarding on-time delivery, lower costs from excess inventory, and an increase in machine capacity levels.
These adapters simplified our laboratory setups, improved our performance with better alignment, and were cost-effective compared to the alternative of multiple pieces of threaded rod or multiple rod end type setups. As a result of optimizing the calibration setup, we were able to standardize production flow, provide better measurements, and free additional floor space for future expansion.
Full Product Guide on Quick Change Tension Members can be downloaded here
ISO 376 Note:
| Morehouse Quick Change Drawing |
ISO 376 recognizes the importance of adapters in reproducibility conditions of the measurement. Proper adapter use in accordance with ISO 376 Annex A, helps ensure the reliability of reported measurements. Note: Annex A is not a requirement for labs to adhere to.
•Loading fittings should be designed in such a way that the line of force application is not distorted. As a rule, tensile force transducers should be fitted with two ball nuts, two ball cups, and, if necessary, with two intermediate rings, while compression force transducers should be fitted with one or two compression pads.
Morehouse Design Notes:
1. Roark's formula for stress and strain concentration was used to verify FEA results.
2. Design used spherical radii called out in the ISO 376:2011 standard.
3. Safety factor of 2:1 implemented in the design
| Stress Analysis Plot of Quick Change Tension Member |
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We believe in changing how people think about force and torque calibration and equipment in everything we do. Morehouse also believes in thinking differently about force and torque calibration and equipment.
We hope that our patented force adapters, which help with force setup reduction, can save your company time and improve your process.
We challenge the "just calibrate it" mentality by educating our customers on what matters and what causes significant errors and focusing on reducing them. Morehouse makes our products simple to use and user-friendly. We also happen to make great force equipment and provide unparalleled calibration services.
Do you want to do business with a company that focuses on what matters most? Email us at info@mhforce.com.
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