Case StudyDRV-Z1
REVOLUTIONISES THE
INSPECTION PROCESS
Significant advancements have been made within
the field of optical and digital inspection equipment
over the past decade. Systems are faster, easier touse, automated, more accurate and have larger
capacities. In contrast to this steady, incremental
progress, Vision Engineering’s revolutionary
patented DRV-Z1 (Deep Reality Viewer) represents amajor game changer in optical and digital inspection
technology.
Vision Engineering’s DRV-Z1 is a digital stereo 3D
viewer with zoom. It brings together the benefitsof optical stereo microscopy and digital technology
into a single unique system. Unlike other 3D viewers
in the market, the images produced by the DRV-Z1
are viewed without the need for special glasses orheadgear.
Early users are enjoying the multiple benefits
delivered by the DRV-Z1. One such business is
Advance Turning and Manufacturing (ATM), an
industry leader in end-to-end manufacturing ofquality parts for the medical and aerospace sectors.
Family owned and operated since 1972, ATM has
a workforce approaching 200 that operates out offacilities in Michigan’s Jackson and Wayne Counties(USA). The company’s comprehensive manufacturingservices include precision ID/OD grinding andlapping, gun drilling, gear and spline manufacturing,
milling, turning, EDM and Multi-Axis machining
including 5,7,9 and 13-axis centres.
ATM administers defined Quality Management
Systems and makes regular investments in thebest available inspection equipment. Their recent
purchase of Vision Engineering’s DRV-Z1 wasprompted by the need to carefully polish, to a finefinish, manufactured components that are fitted intoheart and lung devices. It was also considered thatwww.visioneng.com

theDRV-Z1wouldprove ideal
for several otherdifficult tasks such as
the inspection of surgicaltools.
Advance Turning and Manufacturing’s Senior
Manufacturing Engineer, Michael Walter, explained.
“The optical equipment we used prior to thepurchase of our DRV-Z1 had a limited field of viewand the magnification was relatively low. We needed
something that was comfortable and easy to use forthe machinist. Traditional microscopes were not an
option because they limited the potential movementof the operator, leaving the machinist uncomfortable
and subject to fatigue.

“The recently launched DRV-Z1 proved to bea perfect solution.”“For example, the inspection and polishing oftitanium parts that go into implantable medical
components that we sell, are polished with a Dremel
style polishing tool while viewing them under astereo microscope. When performing this very
difficult task, operators need to keep a still andcontrolled posture, which is neither practical orcomfortable. Furthermore, they need to be able tosee the entire part, not just a section of it.
Vision Engineering Ltd.

“Although the use of Vision Engineering’s Mantis
microscopes made these tasks easier than using
conventional stereo microscopes, we called on Vision
Engineering to see what other applicable inspection
systems they had in their product portfolio. Our
timing was perfect, as the recently launched DRV-Z1
proved to be a perfect solution.

of the DRV-Z1, the operator sits comfortably anddoes a better job with reduced fatigue.”“The DRV-Z1 provides a full 3D stereo view and gives
the operators a large working area to perform thetask and see the whole manufactured part in highmagnification, including features such as the innerthreads of the implantable medical components.

DRV-Z1’s ergonomic benefits, including freedom ofhead movement, natural subject view, comfortableworking position, easy hand-to-eye co-ordinationand if required, the ability to wear prescription eyeglasses. All contributing to improved efficiency,accuracy and productivity.

“Since the introduction of the DRV-Z1, theoperator sits comfortably and does a betterjob with reduced fatigue.”

For organisations that require sharing of images inreal between different departments or even different
facilities, DRV-Z1’s 3D image view, capture andsharing, enables new opportunities in collaboration
via real time digital connectivity through a LAN orWiFi network.

“We employ 85 people at this site, of those, 10people are using the DRV-Z1 on a regular basis. Thesystem is easy to use and requires very little training.
Our machinists are now able to perform previously
awkward inspection and polishing tasks efficiently
and comfortably. Since the introduction

For the first time in a digital system, the DRV-Z1’spatented technology provides real depth perception,
supporting the use of tools for subject manipulation,
reworking and soldering.

www.visioneng.com

Vision Engineering Ltd.