In a continuing effort to enhance the capabilities of Wenzel gear measuring equipment, Wenzel has introduced a new feature that detects any presence of grind burn or pits on gears that are being measured on any Wenzel GearTec gear measurement machine.
The integration of this new grind burn detection capability was developed in association with Stresstech GmbH, a leading German producer of non-destructive process control equipment. The sensor technology being applied here utilizes the Magnetic Barkhausen Noise Method. This method is based on inductively detecting a noise-like signal generated when a magnetic field is applied to a ferromagnetic material. Barkhausen Noise can be used to analyze the micro-structure of a materials’ surface in terms of hardness and its microstructural condition. 

Chris Pomm, Wenzel technical director explains, “Because gear measuring machines utilize very sophisticated programming software to inspect all geometrical features of gears and gear teeth, it’s logical that a sensor adapted to the same measuring arm, making many of the same inspection movements, should be able to inspect for grind burn and pits that can occur on the flanks of ground gear teeth.  Typically chemical acid baths and optical methods are used to check for grind burn. With our new method, grind burn on gear flanks can be analyzed at the same time inspection occurs, eliminating the need for additional processing.”

The digital Barkhausen noise analyzer system being applied to the Wenzel GearTec machines is the Stresstech Rollscan R300 which includes the instrument, sensor and software. The sensor has been integrated into the probe plate of the Wenzel INOVAGear, WGT series, and LH Gear CMM bridge style machines. The Barkhausen probe can be stored in the integrated change rack allowing for convenient and seamless inspection. The software is also integrated into the GearTec controller.

Xspect Solutions, Inc. headquartered in Wixom, Michigan, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wenzel GmbH of Germany. Xspect Solutions is the Number 3 supplier of CMMs in the North American metrology market including; new Wenzel CMMs and GMMs (Gear Measuring Machines), and is the world’s largest supplier of pre-owned CMM equipment.

Wenzel GmbH is the 4th largest CMM builder in the world and manufacturers its CMMs intrinsically accurate, negating the need for the huge error compensation files to achieve quoted accuracies which have become the norm in past years from most CMM
manufacturers. The black granite used on Wenzel CMMs is processed in-house at their impressive manufacturing facilities in Germany, not imported from China pre-finished…which is now the industry norm.