The recent installation of a turnkey CMM solution at Tecomet Sheffield, illustrates the design and build capabilities of Mitutoyo Gauging Technology (MGT), a specialist division of Mitutoyo. Throughout the project, MGT worked closely with Mitutoyo’s dedicated subcontract measurement department – Measurement Services.

Based on a Mitutoyo MiStar shop-floor CMM, the resulting inspection system allows the rapid, accurate and automated dimensional inspection of a range of femoral knee joints. Using custom-built, multi-station fixtures to enable the loading of multiple part batches, the solution features a dedicated user interface for ease of use, while a tailored reporting output aids part sentencing and quality control.

Explaining the reasons behind the recently installed Mitutoyo inspection system, Tecomet Sheffield product engineer Nigel Smith says: “Having won a long-term contract to produce femoral knee joints, we took the opportunity to carefully consider all of our related production and inspection options, and develop a range of effective new methodologies that would further increase our efficiency levels.

“As we regard inspection as an integral and vital part of our femoral knee joint production processes, we investigated ways of gaining additional efficiencies in this important area, while also seeking to improve our precision standards,” he continues. “The answer to our search was found in a custom-designed, highly-efficient inspection system from MGT.”

The MiStar 555 boasts a maximum permissible length measurement error specification of (2.2 + 3.0L/1000) μm and an XYZ measuring range of 570 x 500 x 500 mm. Mitutoyo’s CMM benefits from the company’s recently developed smart factory functionality that allows real-time monitoring of machine performance data, as well as measurement data.

For further information
www.mitutoyo.co.uk

Durability and reliability expert HBK is running a series of online training courses that will enable engineers to address work challenges utilising nCode and ReliaSoft software. The courses – created around the needs of engineers from a range of industries such as automotive, aerospace and energy – can develop skills in the areas of reliability, maintainability, durability and fatigue analysis, through a deeper understanding of background theory, hands-on examples and real-world case studies.

Upcoming reliability and maintainability courses include ‘Fundamentals of Reliability’, where attendees will learn how to analyse and model reliability data using ReliaSoft Weibull++ and BlockSim. The course provides a solid foundation of the methods, analyses, applications and associated tools in reliability engineering mathematics – from basic data analysis and modelling to advanced methods and concepts.

Delegates on the ‘System Reliability and Maintainability Analysis’ course will learn system reliability, maintainability and related analyses using the ReliaSoft BlockSim tool. The instructor will show how to build reliability models, explore advanced concepts and applications – and provide optimisation using a reliability block diagram or fault tree analysis approach.

Upcoming durability and fatigue courses include ‘nCode GlyphWorks: Signal Processing and Test Data Analysis’, where attendees can learn how to apply techniques for signal processing, statistical analysis and durability assessment with nCode GlyphWorks. CAE engineers can learn how to make accurate fatigue life estimations from finite element results at ‘nCode DesignLife: Fatigue Analysis using FEA Results’.

Advanced courses covering more in-depth concepts like the fatigue of welds and predicting the fatigue life of products that experience dynamic stresses, are also available.

Courses are delivered over a series of three-hour sessions presented by Prenscia application engineers, who provide real-time instruction in a virtual meeting environment.

For further information
https://is.gd/jupuvi

A new high-speed, non-contact sensor for use with CMMs from Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division addresses growing demand from the consumer electronics and medical industries to rapidly inspect delicate parts with a range of surface finishes, including those produced via additive manufacturing, without applying damaging pressure.

Manufacturers of components with vulnerable surface finishes struggle to achieve optimal efficiency because traditional tactile inspection can be time consuming, and parts often end up incurring damage during measurement. In cases requiring 100% component inspection, the deformation of delicate surfaces impairs productivity and, ultimately, the bottom line.

The new HP-OW chromatic white light sensor provides increased measurement speed and flexibility for OEMs, says Hexagon, and offers contract manufacturers the opportunity to employ new technologies and materials in production.

The sensor’s ability to measure components with transparent, polished, rough and matt finishes makes it easy to quickly and accurately measure parts made with delicate materials, including components such as LED vehicle lights and solar panels. Non-contact capabilities also offer high throughput inspection of medical devices, such as surgical implants, where the high-accuracy inspection of every part is essential.

Additive manufacturing processes pose unique challenges because parts often require measurement throughout production to ensure quality, but the cycle time needed to perform the precision inspection of rough unfinished parts can be prohibitive. As a new option in a line of specialised sensors extending the range of measurement technologies for use with a single CMM, the chromatic white-light scanning sensor offers an efficient way of scanning parts with high accuracy throughout production.

The new chromatc white light sensor is compatible with Hexagon’s Global S and Optiv M CMM lines.

For further information
www.hexagonmi.com