Carfulan debuts over £1m of new technology

A provider of measurement systems gave a UK debut to advanced machines at the MACH 2024 exhibition in Birmingham last month that will help industry work smarter and faster.

Carfulan Group, which has seen sales soar to £20m this year, showcased more than £1m of new technology at the show, including the unveiling of three multi-sensor measurement solutions.

OGP UK, Carfulan Group’s multi-sensor measurement system specialist, launched the Fusion 400, the Shapegrabber Ai620 and the E-Series E7, all of which provide accurate and precisequality control measurements in industrial applications.

Chris Fulton, joint managing director of the Carfulan Group, says: “We were excited to be back at MACH for another year and couldn’t wait to build on what was our most successful show back in 2022.I don’t think we’ve ever had so much new technology to showcase in the UK for the first time and it was great to see visitors get hands on with all of our solutions – all of which will help reduce downtime, cut waste, improve quality and boost output.”

OGP was joined on the stand by ViciVision UK, which showcased its Techno M614 for the high-precision inspection of complex components in industries such as aerospace, automotive and medical. Also on display was the Prima 306, an optical measurement system that Carfulan says provides high-precision measurements for turned parts in seconds.

Carfulan Group sales director Rob Thompsonconcludes: “Despite what people are saying, the UK is alive with innovation and there is a definite pull towards reshoring, which will create a lot of opportunities.We want to help firms exploit this and the launch of our new technologies will do just that, giving them greater control, greater output and greater quality.”

For further information www.carfulan.com

Insphere joins Renishaw partner programme

Bristol-based automation technology company Insphere Ltdis the first company to join the Renishaw Channel Partner Programme as a specific provider of the Renishaw RCS product series. Insphere has become an Official Channel Partner, supporting the installation and integration of Renishaw’s RCS products for industrial robots, including the RCS L-90 ballbar, the RCS T-90 tri-ballbar system and the RCS P-series probing solution.

Insphere serves automation customers throughout the UK. The company focuses on developing game-changing manufacturing technology that enables smart factories and facilitates a more sustainable future. Known for its flagship Iona system, which aims to improve robot accuracy and fixture alignment, Insphere represents a natural fit as the first Renishaw Channel Partner to offer the RCS product series.

Ben Adeline, CEO of Insphere, says: “The manufacturing industry is at an exciting inflection point with intelligent automation now becoming a reality. We’re delighted to collaborate with Renishaw in offering new and exciting products in this space. Renishaw’s automation range perfectly complements our broader portfolio of products including Iona and our Ora software platform, both of which aim to improve robot performance and process control.”

He adds: “By applying these solutions to industrial robots, we enable enhanced levels of flexibility, autonomy and awareness, creating more versatile and higher performance automation solutions.”

For further information www.renishaw.com/industrial-automation

HBK customisable load cell measurement chain

HBK, a leader in test and measurement solutions, is introducing its Load Cell Measurement Chain (LCMC), a customisable solution that allows users to tailor their measurement system to meet their individual needs, and install it according to the plug and play principle.

The LCMC is a combination of HBK load cell and amplifier unit. With a selection of 14 available load cells, users can select the one that best suits their requirements and pair it with a common amplifier unit, including IO-Link.What sets the LCMC apart is its potential for creating over 11,000 unique configurations. This standardised solution not only delivers performance and cost-effectiveness,it also ensures a precise match for specific measurement needs.


Key features of the smart, digital load cell measurement chain includeIO-Link compatibility. All 14 load cells are available with IO-Link technology, offering advantages such as smart functions (pre-processing of data, self-monitoring and warnings), bi-directional sensor communication and easy installation.


Although the LCMC is one measurement chain, it has multiple purposes.It is possible to use the same amplifier electronics for various load cells, streamlining both processes and procurement. This versatility enhances efficiency and flexibility in day-to-day operations.

“We’re thrilled to offer our customers a wide choice of load cells combined with a wide choice of output options in the LCMC,” says product managerSimon Kleefeldt. “This LCMC empowers our clients with an easy to set up, tailored measurement chain at an attractive price.”

For further information www.hbkworld.com 

Arch Motorcycle partners with Hexagon

Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division andArch Motorcycle, a manufacturer of high-performance bespoke motorcycles, are partnering to support the quality control demands of engineering and producing unique riding experiences for Arch customers.  

By combining artistry and engineering with precision technologies, Arch maximises the performance potential of its motorcycles while keeping innovation at the forefront of design. The partnership is geared to help Arch expand its commitment to producing bespoke motorcycles by fully digitising quality processes throughout engineering and manufacturing with new measurement technologies. 

Among the 3D scanning technologies to be implemented by Arch Motorcycle include Hexagon’s equipment and software for reverse engineering, which will enable the company to retain classic design elements for application to products in development. The technology will also help Arch Motorcycle, which was co-founded by actor Keanu Reeves in 2011, create tailored ergonomic motorcycle designs that incorporate individual customer specifications for shocks, seats, handlebars, foot controls and overall fit. 

The ability to perform quick digitisation of part dimensions and surface finishes for comparison with CAD models and quality standards will enable Arch to improve both throughput and quality control easily and with confidence in the data. It also allows the company to keep an accurate digital 3D record of each customer’s motorcycle to support future customer service. 

Hexagon devices to be used by the Arch manufacturing team include a measurement arm (Absolute Arm) with line-scanner (the AS1 laser scanner) that enables even inexperienced users to capture measurements directly into associated software. The 3D laser scanner provides a guided workflow that helps users visualise 3D models and guides them through successful coverage of critical features and surface measurements. Paired with tightly integrated measurement software, the laser scanner also makes it easy to scan large components and reverse engineer parts. 

For further information www.hexagon.com

RPI chooses Apex Dynamics gearboxes

Apex Dynamics has been selected as the supplier of a key component by rotary measurement specialist Rotary Precision Instruments (RPI) UK because of the fast delivery, low backlash, low noise and good value offered by its AF series precision planetary gearboxes.

The world’s largest manufacturer of rotary devices, RPI UK was looking for a new supplier when lead times rose sharply after the Covid-19 pandemic and the company found it more difficult to source parts. After seeking a reliable supplier that could meet its very specific requirements for high-accuracy measurements and angular positioning, the company turned to Apex Dynamics, which provides delivery times of 2-3 weeks.

In this case, the gearbox had to fit into the existing design of a rotary table for CMMs. The AF series gearbox is now used in RPI UK’s LabStandard and QuadDualPurpose assemblies. Itmounts to a motor via a pulley arrangement with a belt that drives a worm and wheel arrangement.

Each Apex AF series gearbox has 100% optimised helical gearing, low backlash and easy mounting, reports the company. High precision taper roller bearings equip the gearboxes to handle high axial and radial loads and output torque ranges from 14 to 2000 Nm.

RPI UK technical manager Adrian Blake says: “High levels of accuracy are key to the success of our application-specific products. As a key component of our CMM rotary table, the low backlash provided by the AF series gearbox means that it positions correctly, an essential feature for our machines as it forms part of the drive assembly.All the gearboxes we’ve purchased are running smoothly and have met our calibration standards.”

For further information www.apexdynauk.com