Fablink makes Quantum leap with Faro

The Fablink Group is a privately-owned company specialising in the manufacture of cabs, pressings and assemblies to a number of global OEMs. To help inspection staff at the company’s Brixworth Technical Centre keep pace with rising production levels, and to improve the company’s measurement capabilities, Fablink researched measuring tools that had both tactile probing and scanning capabilities, as well as offering the generous measuring capacities required to cover such large assemblies.

After witnessing several demonstrations, an order was placed with Faro UK for a 3 m measurement range Quantum-M ScanArm fitted with a FaroBlu Laser Line Probe SD.
Fablink’s head of quality Glenn Wright explains: “As we serve a range of challenging industries where consistent quality and competitive pricing are of paramount importance, it is vital that we remain at the cutting edge of the technologies that support our quality ethos and our continuing pursuit of efficiency improvements.
“It was these factors and an increased workload that recently prompted our search for large-capacity technology that would boost our inspection competencies and further improve efficiency levels,” he adds. “After seeing three scanning systems perform demonstrations, we came to the conclusion that the Faro Quantum-M ScanArm was both the easiest and fastest system to use. We were very impressed with its accuracy, repeatability and the standard of the useable real-time data, alongside its ability to reduce our previous scanning times by up to 75%.
“Although intended for use mainly at our Brixworth site, as the Faro solution is portable and quick to set-up, it is available for use at our other facilities. The Quantum-M has also proved invaluable for the routine inspection and calibration of jigs and fixtures.”
For further information www.faro.com

AM software boosts quality

InfiniAM Sonic acoustic process monitoring software has been launched by Renishaw to complement the company’s existing InfiniAM suite of additive manufacturing (AM) monitoring tools. The software enables engineers to detect acoustic events within the AM build chamber and turn this data into useful information about build quality. The software is said to be the first of its kind in the AM industry.

Renishaw’s InfiniAM Sonic is installed into the RenAM 500Q system as a factory-fit option and includes four acoustic energy sensors to detect vibration in the build. These sensors detect minute vibrations and collect sound waves so that they can be heard, viewed and analysed. Using four high-frequency sensors in different locations results in a slight time difference, due to the speed of sound. The software uses this time difference to triangulate the position of noise on the build plate. In addition, the software presents a level of certainty regarding where the noise occurred, and the magnitude. This data can then be combined graphically with other sensor data to build a comprehensive view of the part and the conditions at time of build.
The software works alongside InfiniAM Central and InfiniAM Spectral, which provide improved understanding of build quality, increased confidence in the build process and accelerated process development, reports Renishaw. A mobile app, InfiniAM Central, is also available, so that users can receive notifications on their build process in near real-time.
David Ewing, AM product manager at Renishaw, says: “The rapid heating and cooling that takes place during an AM build leads to residual stress in the part. While each laser weld results in a small amount of stress, residual stress can build up within the part, and if it increases past the strength of the metal it may lead to a fracture in the support material or part itself.”
For further information www.renishaw.com

Duct cradles

The in-house fabrication department of ECS Engineering Services has recently completed the manufacture of 49 steel duct cradles destined for the main reactor building at a UK nuclear power plant.

All of the structures were delivered within six months. The duct cradles ranged in size from 1400 to 1800 mm wide. A channel framed structure was mated with plate-work supports to increase strength. This design ensured that the cradles could easily accommodate the sizable stainless-steel ducts which would be installed on top of them at the facility.
For further information www.ecsengineeringservices.com

Measurement system delivers fast ROI

Based in Glenrothes, subcontractor Euro Precision has been eager to minimise the number of failures that might occur in large batches by taking action against faults at final inspection.

To achieve this goal, the company created a team of specialists that looked at the issues, with the task of clearly identifying any problems and coming up with corrective actions. As a result, Euro Precision has recently invested heavily in equipment such as CNC milling centres, a Mitutoyo CMM, a laser marker and an IM-7500 image dimension measurement system from Keyence. Within a short timeframe, final inspection failures were reduced to just 0.8%.
The IM-7500 enabled Euro Precision to check parts much quicker and with greater accuracy. This capability has saved the company a substantial amount of money by cutting inspection times, while improving quality levels on all components. Time savings have also been achieved through the machine being straightforward to operate and program, enabling inspectors to check a higher volume of projects within much shorter timescales.
Mark Ramsay, production manager at Euro Precision, explains: “The Keyence IM-7500 machine has proved to be excellent for our operators because it is easy to use, extremely precise and can check parts very quickly. For these reasons, we’ve been able to program the machine to minimise the risk of batch failures by checking more parts at a much faster pace and far more accurately.
“Selecting Keyence equipment was a new venture for us, but as soon as we had the demonstration and tested a few of our parts on the IM-7500, it was a no brainer; we had to have that machine,” he adds. “The unit has more than paid for itself in just 10 months, and if we could have many more of these around the workplace we would do so in a heartbeat.”
For further information www.keyence.co.uk

Marposs partners with DP

Marposs has struck a partnership with DP Technology, the author of Esprit CAM software. According to Marposs, Esprit software represents one of the easiest ways to add probing cycles to existing cutting programs. Through Esprit, Marposs will provide customers with a turnkey solution for creating everything from simple bore measurements to complex measuring cycles.

Probing cycles from Marposs will be available in Esprit software so that measuring a component on a five-axis or multi-tasking machine will become simple.
The digital twin supplied by Esprit software, thanks to the availability of machine kinematics, and workpiece and 3D probe files, will permit users to not only program a measuring cycle but to add and simulate all the movements required to reach the part in its position. The goal is providing the customers of Marposs and DP with a new and easy way to measure simple and complex parts on every type of machine tool, always deploying the best probing solution, and being able to program and simulate additional inspection cycles in the blink of an eye.
Probing is an established best practice for maximising the efficiency, quality, capability and accuracy of machine tools. Touch probes on CNC machining centres and lathes can be used to identify and set-up parts, measure features in-cycle for adaptive machining, and verify finished component dimensions.
”Most of our customers, especially those working in the mould and die, aerospace and 3C sectors, often seek cycle
time reductions without compromising quality,” says Roberto Bruni, sales and marketing manager. “Here, the type and number of touch points become the solution, and Esprit will help to speed up this research. For this reason, we believe Esprit with Marposs probes will provide the perfect solution.”
For further information www.marposs.com