Martin Haynes, quality and technical director at Wednesbury-based AluCast, an aluminium foundry, recently began a search for an accurate yet speedy metrology solution that would keep pace with increased production volumes.

Recently tasked with casting a range of urgently required prototype parts for an important customer, AluCast completed all of the relevant casting processes in record time. Having been told that the parts were now ready except for the required dimensional inspection process, which would take another day, the customer suggested it would visit AluCast’s facility and perform on-site inspection with its own Faro ScanArm.
Impressed by the speed of set-up and the Faro ScanArm’s ability to quickly scan each of the components and gather all of the required data, Haynes was convinced that it was the answer to AluCast’s dimensional inspection needs.
“As well as being impressed by the dimensional accuracy achieved and the clear presentation of the captured data, we were astonished at the equipment’s speed of operation,” he says. “In fact, we estimated that the inspection results our customer achieved in just one hour, would have taken us over eight hours with our existing equipment. In addition to the performance of the ScanArm, we received excellent reports from our customer related to the levels of support and service they receive from Faro UK.
Following a demonstration, AluCast duly invested in a Faro ScanArm HD.
“Our ScanArm HD has delivered on all of the promises made by the staff at Faro UK in terms of simplicity, accuracy and speed of use,” says Haynes. “As well as the inspection processes for which we purchased the Faro ScanArm, each day we are finding new uses for it.”
For further information www.faro.com

Loanhead-based Artemis Intelligent Power, a specialist in digitally controlled hydraulic pumps, recently searched for an advanced CMM that could deliver the company’s required levels of precision and feedback. After considering several CMMs from alternative manufacturers, a Mitutoyo Strato-Apex 7106 was purchased and installed.

Fergus McIntyre of Artemis Intelligent Power says: “Not only did the Strato-Apex 7106 have the XYZ capacity [700 x 1000 x 600 mm] that would accommodate the range of components we manufacture, it provided the high-accuracy capabilities that would enable the inspection of our parts, many of which have challenging dimensional specifications.
“It helped our decision that the Strato-Apex CMM was easy to operate and that Mitutoyo UK have an excellent reputation for customer service,” he adds. “Soon after the machine’s installation and operator training, our staff quickly mastered the CMM’s controls and software.
“Given our projected increase in production and the large volumes of parts that will need accurate inspection, not only will the Mitutoyo CMM help take care of current R&D and goods-inward inspection needs, but its operating speed should help it remain ‘future-proof’ and able to handle increased output from our new production unit.
“To ensure that we fully exploit our Strat-Apex CMM’s CNC capabilities and fast operating speed, we will continuously add to our already written library of component inspection programs. This will enable us to load from a single part, up to a large batch of components, on to the CMM’s bed, recall the relevant program and instigate a rapid, fully automated inspection routine.”
For further information www.mitutoyo.co.uk