Nikon’s X-ray computed tomography (CT) technology has enabled digital camera lens brand heavyweight Tamron to gain unprecedented insights into the intricacies of their industry-leading components.
Japan-based Tamron faced challenges in accurately analysing the deformation of plastic moulded lens components. Nikon’s MCT225 device solved this by allowing the company to create 3D models from CT scans, which can be directly compared to CAD models and analysis results using VGSTUDIO MAX software.
This brought in a wave of benefits, eliminated the need for aligning multiple measurement points, and enabled the observation of fibre orientation in Tamron’s fibre-reinforced plastics, a crucial development that improved analysis accuracy.
Headquartered in Saitama City, Tamron has continuously pursued advanced optical technology, combining creativity and technical strength to develop and provide high-quality products trusted by users worldwide.
Tamron has a history of over seven decades. It was established in 1950 under the name Taisei Optical Equipment Manufacturing and initially provided technology for polishing lenses for cameras and binoculars.
As their expertise grew, Tamron ventured into manufacturing interchangeable lenses for SLR cameras. In 1958, they registered their trademark brand, and in 1970, the company officially changed its name to Tamron.
Over the years, Tamron evolved into a comprehensive optical equipment manufacturer, operating a globally integrated business structure encompassing research and development, planning, design, production, sales, and support. Their product range expanded to include branded interchangeable lenses for digital SLR cameras catering to general consumers, OEM products, and optical components serving various industrial fields.
MCT225 provides insights into finished product quality
In April 2014, Tamron adopted Nikon’s MCT225 X-ray CT metrology system, along with two reconditioned computers. This initial setup allowed Tamron to image and evaluate the quality of plastic moulded parts and critical mechanical components of their lens units. Tamron could assess the finished product quality by comparing the design specifications with the actual measurements obtained through CT imaging using VGSTUDIO MAX software.
Over time, the MCT225 system proved invaluable, leading Tamron to expand its capabilities in October 2023 by adding a second MCT225 unit and an additional reconditioned computer.
The insights gained from these evaluations were then fed back into the flow analysis results, enabling Tamron to continuously improve the accuracy of their analysis processes. Beyond evaluating finished product quality, the MCT225 systems also facilitated assessing variability in moulded products, detecting voids and cracks, observing fibre orientation in reinforced plastics, investigating defects in assembly states, analysing competitor products, and examining defects in electronic substrates.
“We find both the device and the software of MCT225 very user-friendly,” says Tamron’s spokesperson. “The response to helping us with regular maintenance or troubleshooting has always been quick. I also feel reassured by having the option to hire Nikon’s measurement room when the device cannot be used for a certain period of time, such as during maintenance or in case of an urgent problem.”
Marking the milestone of a decade with MCT225
Around 2021, Tamron’s Manufacturing Division began utilising PolyWorks, a 3D measurement software, to measure moulded products. The following year, in 2022, they further expanded their capabilities by leveraging the geometry correction function of VGSTUDIO MAX to correct moulds.
These cutting-edge tools and software have found widespread application across multiple divisions within the company. The Research and Development Division, the Product Design Division, the Mould Manufacturing Division, and the Quality Assurance Division have all incorporated these technologies into their workflows, a testament to Tamron’s commitment to technological development.
It has been a decade since Tamron acquired its first MCT225 device, a milestone that marked the beginning of a transformative journey. This device has played a pivotal role in supporting the company’s technological development — Tamron even incorporated them into visitor tours to demonstrate its innovative approach to manufacturing and quality control.
“Before adopting the MCT225, we were searching for a way to three-dimensionally evaluate the deformation of plastic moulded parts, which are mechanical components of lens units, in a manner similar to flow analysis,” explains Tamron’s spokesperson. “To reduce the number of corrections to the moulds, it was necessary to improve the predictive accuracy of flow analysis, but the results from point measurements with contact measurement devices and three-dimensional analysis were not very compatible.”
To accurately evaluate the deformation of plastic moulded parts, Tamron created 3D models through CT scans. They compared these 3D models to CAD and 3D analysis results using VGSTUDIO MAX software. This approach eliminated the need to measure multiple points and align with contact measurement devices. Instead, directly comparing the actual item and analysis at the model level dramatically increased verification efficiency. Additionally, since Tamron uses filler-reinforced plastics, observing fibre orientation through CT scans enhanced analysis accuracy.
Tamron also adopted techniques to reduce artefacts, a type of imaging noise, by using metal filters during imaging.
Source: Nikon