Metal AM collaboration

3D Systems and Oerlikon AM are entering a collaboration agreement to help further scale metal additive manufacturing (AM). Combining 3D Systems’ Direct Metal Printing platform and Oerlikon AM’s surface engineering capabilities will enable a faster path to market for applications in high-criticality industries such as aerospace. As part of the agreement, Oerlikon AM is acquiring its fourth 3D Systems DMP Factory 500 system, the first Oerlikon AM is adding in the US, as part of the manufacturing workflow at its North Carolina facility. The move will help expand Oerlikon’s end-to-end supply chain solution for high-precision, complex aluminium components for the US market.
For further information www.3dsystems.com

UK aerospace receives £80m boost

The UK is to benefit from an£50m boost to composites R&D for aero-structure manufacturing, with a new research facility set for construction in South Yorkshire that has aerospace giant Boeing as its first major research partner.The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) has secured the investment to establish the Compass (Composites at Speed and Scale) facility in Sheffield. The news was announced on 13 July by UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, as part of the South Yorkshire Investment Zone.

“Our first Investment Zone is a shining example of how we will drive growth across the country,” he said. “It’s already secured more than £80m of private investment, including backing from Boeing, and will help support more than 8000 jobs by 2030.”On the back of the research, Boeing has committed to procuring in excess of £2bn of UK-manufactured goods per year to support the production of the company’s next civil passenger aircraft.
For further information www.amrc.co.uk

OGP unveils new multi-sensor metrology system

OGP, a manufacturer of optical and precision multi-sensor metrology systems for industrial quality control, is releasing its SmartScope E45, a floor model addition to the all-new SmartScope E-Series family of automatic digital-zoom metrology systems.

With the launch of the benchtop SmartScope E7 model in September 2022, OGP says it reimagined its trusted SmartScope line-up, making it accessible to all skill levels and budgets. Along with E7, E45 features the brand-new fixed lens IntelliCentric optical system, a fully telecentric optical system providing super high-resolution imagesin video edge detection metrology. The digital zoom allows for instantaneous magnification changes, while the standard all-LED lighting system illuminates parts from every angle. As a point of note, the E45 features a generous stage to handle large parts or a variety of smaller components.

The E45 offers sturdy, stable construction whereby parts move on a precision DC motor-driven Y-axis stage, while the optics travel in the X axis mounted on a rigid bridge support structure for metrological integrity.

Jim Stern, director of OGP applications engineering, says: “SmartScope E45 combines innovative optical design, advanced camera technology and OGP’s class-leading image processing algorithms. E45 has the same feature size range as mechanical zoom optical systems, but without moving parts, increasing throughput and system longevity. The IntelliCentric optical system produces outstanding optical performance at low zoom, with fantastic image quality, telecentricity and distortion-free imaging.”

OGP is accepting orders for SmartScope E45 systems now.
For further information www.ogpnet.com/e45

Laser cutting expert moves to Ficep UK

Well-respected laser cutting system specialist, Lisa Cooper, has joined Ficep UK as business development engineer in a move that will see her switch from aftercare to sales.Cooper gained 30 years of experience working in machine aftersales at Bystronic, primarily supporting customers with laser cutting, press brakes, tube laser cutting and plate storage systems. Her appointment coincides with Ficep UK’s recent introduction of the Cutlite Penta Plus 30kW laser system, an asset which Cooper will further support the growth of in the UK.

“Becoming business development engineer is a new challenge for me, yet I’m looking forward to drawing on my knowledge of systems and the market to add value to the process,” she says.“It’s an exciting time to be joining Ficep UK as the company continues to innovate and explore new systems such as the new Cutlite Penta Plus laser.”
For further information www.ficep.co.uk

Phantom high-speed cameras adopt EMVA 1288

Vision Research, manufacturer of Phantom high-speed cameras, has made a major update to its published product specifications. By incorporating EMVA 1288 testing standards to measure sensor characteristics, a scientific overview of image performance is now available. This further enables users to choose the best camera for their challenging applications.

EMVA 1288 has long seen use in measuring the performance of machine vision cameras, but Vision Research is the first manufacturer to apply it to RAM-based high-speed cameras.
As a result of providing EMVA 1288 report summaries, Vision Research will no longer be including ISO 12232 measurements for its products moving forward. ISO 12232 has been used by high-speed camera manufacturers to indicate sensitivity; however, it has limited usefulness in practice. Significant indicators of image quality are not included, particularly when it comes to capturing images with high contrast and in low-light situations.

Kevin Gann, VP of R&D at Vision Research, explains: “We’ve always had a strong focus on image quality and EMVA 1288 provides a deep understanding about how a camera will perform in a particular application. It also provides consistency when comparing cameras and includes data about the imaging trade-offs inherent in the sensor design. As the leaders in high-speed imaging, we felt incumbent to implement these measurements across our primary product lines so that our customers can truly understand their camera’s image performance.”

Quantum efficiency, temporal dark noise, dynamic range and absolute sensitivity threshold are among the parameters specified in an EMVA 1288 report. Referencing these in addition to pixel size, resolution and throughput provides the information necessary to compare cameras in terms of image response.
For further information www.phantomhighspeed.com