ZEISS #measuringhero Award

Winner of the Category: Customer Loyalty Reward

Kaveh Zolfagari from Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd. in Canada has been working with our ZEISS coordinate measuring machines (CMM) since 2008. Today, there are over 30 ZEISS CMMs in his facility. What overwhelmed our jury was Kaveh's journey as a #measuringhero: he started out by creating simple programs with models, then moved on to creating parametric programs, and finally created what he calls the "Programming Wizard" - his own interactive, in-program programming tool. We are fascinated by his story and dedication and appreciate the insight into his daily life in quality assurance.

Kaveh Zolfagari

  • Company: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
  • Industry: Manufacturing, Molding
  • Country: Canada
  • My passion for quality assurance: I see what I do as constructive criticism, I help others to do better, by showing them what can/should be improved.
  • Favorite ZEISS product: My favorite ZEISS product is not a machine; the software ZEISS CALYPSO is probably what I get most excited about.
  • Why ZEISS: Why not! Reliability, accuracy & flexibility
  • Your message to the global #measuringhero community out there: Rule #64: If it exists, it can be measured!

What do you appreciate about working with ZEISS?

I like all aspects of the company and specifically appreciate the fact that ZEISS is continuously working on improvements and new technology.

It’s impressive that you have more than 30 ZEISS CMMs at your site. What role does metrology play in your company?

We are manufacturing very high accuracy and high tolerance parts in this facility and require in process inspection each step of the way. There is practically one ZEISS machine in front of each CNC machine. Parts spend just as much time on a CMM as they do in the CNC machine, if not more.

Could you please give us some insights into the "programming wizard"?

Most our programs here are fully parametric. At the beginning of the program, we enter the part ID and based on that, the program looks for the corresponding parameter file on network. This parameter files are usually created by the steel inspection team. Now this new wizard has an added layer to program. If the program looks for the parameter file for a specific part and it is missing, instead of creating and error, it will walk the operator through a series of prompts and inquiries with visual help and writes the parameter file automatically. This has eliminated the occasional down time and skill set requirement for creating an inspection routine for a new part.

1. Item number is entered in run prompt.

2. Program has found no parameter file and started prompts. These are clickable images and asking operator to choose the type of part.
 

3. Based on type selected in last step, program will ask operator to choose features that are present in this part.
 

4. Based on information input in last step, program will go through a series of inquiries with visual help to obtain nominal values from drawing.
 

5. & 6. Once program has gathered all values required, it will create a folder in proper network location and save a parameter file.

Now program will run through its normal routine and next time this parts needs measurement, parameter file is available, and all this portion of program will be bypassed.