Surface finish plays an important role ensuring shock absorbers function properly in any automotive system. The rods are precision ground to high tolerances in diameter and surface finish. In use, the rod's diameter and surface roughness are critical because they are exposed to harsh environments and must still maintain seal.

Typically, final processing of the rods involves a chrome plating process to harden the rods so they withstand the environment they are exposed to. Then a final finish grind is applied. A very smooth uniform finish is critical so seals are not worn by the surface during operation. Lasercheck has been used by numerous manufacturers of these precision rods as an automated final inspection of the surface quality prior to installation in a shock absorber assembly.

Installation of an automated model 6212 Lasercheck system right at the output of a final finish grinder ensures 100% of all rods produced meet specifications in this high-volume, high-quality process.

 

In internal combustion engines, the wrist / gudgeon pin connects the piston to the connecting rod and provides a bearing for the connecting rod and internal piston bore to pivot upon as the piston moves. The gudgeon pin has to operate under some of the highest temperatures experienced in the engine, with difficulties in lubrication due to its location. As with shock absorber rods, these pins must be precision ground to size and very tight finish requirements. Out of specification surfaces on these pins can result in premature engine wear or failure.

Installation of an automated model 6212 based Lasercheck system right at the output of a final finish grinder ensures 100% of all wrist pins produced meet specification in these high volume, high quality, surface critical applications. This application has been successfully employed by several manufacturers and the pins are automatically rejected and fed back through final finish ensuring no loss in production yield with 100% guarantee of finish on all parts.