Automatic vision system optimises efficiency at Miles Platts

Miles Platts, a designer and manufacturer of precision technical mouldings, produces over 8 million units per month. The company specialises in the provision of high-precision, tight-tolerance mouldings in engineering polymers, often with zero or minimum draft. To help expedite this activity, Miles Platts sought an automated inspection solution. Based on a long-standing relationship with production metrology and optical inspection equipment supplier Optimax, the company selected a Starrett vision system to provide the necessary accuracy, reliability and versatility.

Miles Platts has expertise in coil bobbins and electrical insulation solutions for a variety of industries, each with specific measurement requirements. The company ha long-term experience in the use of vision systems and needed a solution that would allow it to increase efficiency, boost volume throughput and meet the highest level of quality assurance.

The AVR300 stood out to Miles Platts due to its versatility, an essential feature for a manufacturer meeting the differing requirements of numerous sectors.

Quality Manager Jonathan Fraser explains that for automotive projects, the AVR300 is essential not only for initial sample inspector reports, but throughout the production part approval process. Black, white and clear plastics mouldings can be particularly challenging to inspect and measure optically. The precision lens and advanced lighting options create high contrast on surface, edge and blind hole features.

Miles Platts was impressed by the accuracy of the Starrett Vision range, with capability to measure optical height and depth down to a few microns. Moreover, the professional reporting outputs allow templates to be easily created, exported and sent to customers, saving time and ensuring accuracy.

The equipment is UKAS calibrated by Optimax, not only ensuring that it conforms to an internationally recognised standard, but providing an independently audited process of verification and well understood measurement uncertainty.

“With Optimax’s UKAS-accredited service and calibration support, I’m confident that the AVR300 will continue to optimise the full supply chain process without over-burdening our quality control department,” says Jonathan Fraser.