Page 33 - trends in automation
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Precision grippers rotate the ball
To ensure consistent match
performance, samples of the ball
are tested by being compressed to
a specified load, and the amount of
movement measured. This is termed
“forward deformation”. The load is then
released and the “return deformation”
is also measured. To make sure each
ball behaves uniformly, precision
grippers rotate the ball and the test
is repeated on three perpendicular
axes. In addition, the diameter of the
ball and its weight are also recorded.
Up to 12 balls can be loaded onto the
sample carousel, and when testing is
completed, the test report can include
pass and fail criteria simplifying the
interpretation of the results.
The sophisticated pneumatic ball
handling mechanism is capable of
locating and positioning the tennis balls
on the force testing platform, a weighing
scale or the 12 sample carousel.
The system is driven by Mecmesin’s
powerful Emperor™ software which has
a simple user interface, allowing the
operator to select which tests are to be
made from a menu of options. Results
can be stored within the system, or
exported to other software applications
for secure data storage.
Wide range of tests
The automated tennis ball tester
contains a number of components from
Festo including all operating cylinders,
linear actuators, pneumatic grippers,
PLC, valve terminals and a rotary table
enabling it to reliably perform a wide
range of tests.
The tennis ball tester was delivered
to the ITF in the summer of 2012 and
has been used heavily ever since.
Mecmesin has been pleased with the
reliability of the Festo solution and the
two companies are continuing to work
together on other projects.
“The automated system can
safely be left unattended to
perform all the required
tests.”
Simon Garland, Automation Engineer, Mecmesin
Mecmesin Ltd
phone: +44 (0) 1403 799 979
e-mail:
Area of activity:
Leading designer and supplier of
force and torque measurement
solutions.
Issue 23
trends in automation
Synergies
30 – 31
