Edge Break Technology

Bringing precision chamfer, break edge and radius inspection to the shop floor

Edge break inspection is a critical area of manufacturing for several types of applications, notably within turbine engines. The edge break process involves smoothing down sharp edges to radii or chamfers of precise dimensions to ensure the correct and safe operation of components within a specific application. It is critical to ensure that there is no undue stress during operation that might reduce the working life of a component. It is also a complex and difficult area to inspect.

Historically, bespoke contact measurement systems have been slow and cumbersome, with the only shop floor alternative being imprecise manual gauges which rely on an operator’s judgment rather than measured values, preventing any kind of traceability. With the GapGun Edge Break Toolkit, this has all changed.

The GapGun® Edge Break Toolkit

The Edge Break Toolkit is an optical measurement system from Third Dimension that uses a uniquely configured laser stripe as a datum measurement surface.

Innovative software analyses the image data of the surface and checks the measured profile against dynamically created CAD data, showing the operator exactly how the part compares to nominal dimensions and warning when parts enter a “no go” condition.

The profile of the surface, along with the upper and lower allowable profiles, are shown on the large, colour touch screen providing instant feedback and allowing decisions to be made with confidence faster than ever before. Currently, all major turbine engine manufacturers use our equipment due to its effectiveness and range of benefits which can be explored in the section below.

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GapGun Edge Break Toolkit Features

Ergonomics: The Hidden Innovation
The Edge Break system can be supplied with multiple, interchangeable standoffs that mirror measurable surfaces, ensuring correct positioning and increasing operator comfort whilst maintaining measurement confidence. As a handheld shop floor measurement system, it is extremely easy to learn and use on the shop floor thanks to its lightweight, small footprint and intuitive user interface.
Total Traceability
Every measurement head is uniquely identifiable and supplied with a traceable calibration certificate, along with a UKAS certified calibration artefact, ensuring you can be confident that every measurement you take is accurate. Additionally, the Edge Break Toolkit includes a wide array of data logging options, allowing for limitless records of measurements.
Customisation Options
Not only can standoffs be customised to suit your measured product, but the modular design means that all GapGun products can use interchangeable sensor heads for measurements of different size features. Additionally, communication standards are also configurable to allow integration with corporate networks, allowing measurement data to be stored anywhere within your facility.
Industry Proven Hardware, Global Technology Coverage
Based on the industry proven GapGun, the Edge Break Toolkit is fast and accurate, with a robust yet ergonomic laser gage. Furthermore, with over 10 years of continual development and hundreds of installations worldwide, GapGun systems are an industry recognised shop floor standard. With a network of distributors spread across more than 40 countries globally, local sales and support are easily available.
Speed and Accuracy
Using optical measurement techniques and laser triangulation, the Edge Break Toolkit’s laser gage can measure an edge feature on bright machined surfaces to accuracies as great as 10μ/0.0004” in as little as 2 seconds! Inspection processes that have previously taken hours or even days can now be completed in a matter of minutes to repeatably high accuracy, finally empowering operators on the shop floor to make decisions based on reliable dimensional data.