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Inspecting optical components using co-ordinate measuring machines (CMM)

URN: SEMMME3162
Business Sectors (Suites): Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering Suite 3
Developed by: Enginuity
Approved on: 30 Mar 2023

Overview

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This standard identifies the competences you need to inspect optical components, using manual and/or CNC co-ordinate measuring machines (CMM), in accordance with approved procedures. You will be required to prepare and set up the equipment in readiness for the inspection operations. This will involve obtaining and using the correct issue of drawings, job instructions and specifications including, where appropriate, downloading the correct CNC measuring program.

You will be expected to set up the co-ordinate measuring machine, to position and secure the component/product in a suitable location and to select and mount the correct inspection probes. In carrying out the inspection activities, you will be expected to check the components/product for both dimensional and geometrical accuracy, and this may be required to be undertaken at various stages of the engineering/manufacturing process, such as first-off inspection, during production and final inspection.

Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the setting-up and operating activities undertaken, and to report any problems with the equipment, tooling, programs or setting-up activities that you cannot personally resolve or that are outside your permitted authority, to the relevant people. You will be expected to work with a minimum of supervision, taking personal responsibility for your own actions and for the quality and accuracy of the work that you carry out.

Your underpinning knowledge will provide a good understanding of your work, and will provide an informed approach to the inspection procedures used. You will understand the co-ordinate measuring equipment being used and its application, and will know about the inspection probes, setting-up and operating procedures, in adequate depth to provide a sound basis for effectively using the equipment, identifying faults and for ensuring that the inspection activities are carried out to the required specification.

You will understand the safety precautions required when working with the machine and with its associated equipment. You will be required to demonstrate safe working practices throughout, and will understand the responsibility you owe to yourself and others in the workplace.

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

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  1. work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
  2. follow the correct specification for the product or equipment being inspected
  3. use the correct equipment to carry out the inspection activities
  4. identify and confirm the inspection checks to be made and the acceptance criteria to be used
  5. carry out all required inspections, as specified
  6. identify any defects or variations from the specification
  7. record the results of the inspection in the appropriate format
  8. deal promptly and effectively with problems within your control and report those that cannot be solved

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

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  1. how to work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
  2. Regulations with regard to the substances used in the inspection process
  3. the hazards associated with inspecting components/products, and how to minimise them and reduce any risks
  4. the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and clothing to be worn during the inspection activities
  5. how and where to obtain the required drawings and/or CNC operating program and related specifications
  6. the importance of checking that all inspection documentation, programs and specifications are current and complete
  7. how to extract information from engineering drawings and/or CNC  operating programs and related specifications (to include codes, symbols and conventions to appropriate standards) in relation to the inspection work being undertaken
  8. how to interpret first and third angle drawings, imperial and metric systems of measurement, workpiece reference points and system of tolerancing
  9. the use of relevant standards for determining if components and products are fit for purpose
  10. the general principles of inspection systems and procedures
  11. preparations to be undertaken before the component/product is inspected
  12. the application of different co-ordinate measuring machines
  13. the function keys and operating system used on co-ordinate measuring machines
  14. the application of different types of inspection probe that are available
  15. the importance of ensuring that equipment is set up correctly and is in a safe and useable condition
  16. the systems of measurement that are used on co-ordinate measuring machines
  17. how to ensure that inspection probes are correctly calibrated before undertaking the inspection activities
  18. how to deal with equipment and/or program error messages
  19. the effects that the environment may have on the measurements taken, particularly where precision measurements are required
  20. the need to select and use set datum points, and the effects of taking readings from different datums
  21. why sampling is used, and when it is an effective means of quality assurance
  22. the typical defects and variations that can be found on optical components/products, and how to identify them
  23. the procedure to be followed when inspected products are out of specification (including obtaining concessions, where appropriate)
  24. the importance of completing inspection documentation; what needs to be recorded and where records are kept
  25. the extent of your own responsibility and to whom you should report if you have problems that you cannot resolve

Scope/range

Scope Performance

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  1. Carry out all of the following during the inspection activities:
    1. obtain and interpret correctly the documentation for the optical component to be inspected
    2. adhere to procedures or systems in place for risk assessment, personal protective equipment and other relevant safety regulations and procedures to realise a safe system of work
    3. follow specified and appropriate inspection procedures
    4. identify, and record in the appropriate format, any out-of-tolerance dimensions/features
    5. investigate and obtain concessions for out-of-specification products (where appropriate)
    6. place products in the correct location on completion of the inspection activities (in and out of specification)
    7. shut down the equipment, using the correct procedure
    8. leave the work area in a safe and tidy condition on completion of the inspection activities
  2. Use one of the following types of manual and/or CNC co-ordinate measuring machines:
    1. vertical
    2. horizontal
    3. gantry/bridge
    4. other specific type
  3. Inspect five of the following types of optical component:
    1. infra-red lens
    2. combiners
    3. infra-red glass flats
    4. infra-red glass domes
    5. cylinders
    6. glass prisms
    7. infra-red prisms
    8. plastic lens components
    9. glass lens
    10. optical mirrors
    11. profiled optical components
  4. Mount the workpiece in a suitable position, using two of the following:
    1. direct to machine table
    2. on parallels
    3. on angle plates
    4. on vee blocks
    5. in special jigs
    6. in pitch/malleable material
    7. other specific mounting methods
  5. Carry out two of the following inspection procedures:
    1. first/one-off
    2. in-process sample inspection
    3. one-hundred-percent final inspection of components or products
    4. statistical quality control
    5. batch inspections
  6. Check all of the following, as applicable to the machine type:
    1. check that datums for each machine axis are set in relation to equipment, components and probes selected
    2. where applicable, download the CNC program into the controller, safely and correctly
    3. select and mount suitable inspection probes for the different features to be checked
    4. calibrate the inspection probe (where applicable)
    5. enter the probe information correctly into the machine controller/operating system
    6. ensure that probe changes are carried out safely and clear from obstructions
    7. check that all inspection operations and probe movements are executed safely and correctly
    8. ensure that any alterations to programs are communicated fully to the appropriate personnel
  7. Inspect optical components that have a range of different features, and cover twelve of the following:
    1. prism angles
    2. lens diameter
    3. cap height
    4. truncation
    5. concentricity
    6. lens form error
    7. flats form error
    8. lens wedge
    9. profiles
    10. sag depth
    11. centre thickness
    12. flat/parallelism
    13. focal length
    14. lens centring
    15. refractive index
    16. lens power (radius)
    17. flats power error
    18. cosmetic defect
    19. other specific features
  8. Inspect optical components in accordance with one of the following specifications:
    1. BS, ISO or EN standards and procedures
    2. other accepted international standards
    3. customer (contractual) standards and requirements
    4. company standards and procedures

Scope Knowledge

Values

Behaviours

Skills

Glossary

Links To Other NOS

External Links

Version Number

3

Indicative Review Date

31 Mar 2028

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Enginuity

Original URN

SEMMME3162

Relevant Occupations

Engineering, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies, Engineering Technicians

SOC Code

3113

Keywords

Mechanical engineering; photonics; inspecting; optical components; co-ordinate measuring machine; CMM; vertical; horizontal; gantry; bridge; lens; dome; combiner; flat; cylinder; prism; mirror