Tailor-made modernisation of an LH gantry

With increasing market demand and growing technological innovation, Jintongling Technology Group Co Ltd is facing new challenges: the wind turbine components it manufactures are becoming increasingly larger, and measurement requirements are becoming more complex. Existing measurement devices can no longer meet the demands for high precision and efficiency. A new measurement solution was therefore necessary to meet both current requirements and provide future expansion options.

For this reason, Jintongling decided to collaborate with Wenzel to upgrade its existing Wenzel LH Gantry CMM (built in 2015). The goal was to future-proof the existing system and meet increasing demand for precision and flexibility. Wenzel’s professional team conducted a comprehensive inspection of the original measuring system.

“We not only inspected the core components but also conducted a detailed performance evaluation to find the optimal solution for Jintongling,” reports a Wenzel engineer. After intensive technical co-ordination, a custom modernisation plan was developed. The main modification consisted of converting the original bridge-type CMM into a gantry-type CMM to ensure greater measurement accuracy and stability. Furthermore, the measuring range was expanded from the original 2 m to 2.5 m in the X axis, and from 1.5 m to 2.8 m in height. Thanks to underground construction, the load-bearing capacity also saw a significant increase – a decisive advantage for the large-format measurement requirements in the fluid power and wind power industries.

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In addition to the improved workpiece holding capacity and load capacity, the expanded inspection function is particularly noteworthy. The modernised CMM now also enables gear inspection, enabling Jintongling to measure large gearboxes for wind turbines with high precision.

“With this solution, we can not only meet the increasing demands of the market but also gain a competitive advantage,” says a Jintongling representative.

More information www.wenzel-group.com

Mitutoyo unveils Formtracer Avant FTA-H3000

Mitutoyo’s Formtracer Avant series now welcomes the FTA-H3000, a model that seamlessly integrates surface roughness and contour measurement into a single drive unit. This addition completes a robust line-up, which includes the FTA-S3000 for surface roughness, the FTA-C3000 and FTA-C4000 for contour analysis, and the FTA-D3000 and FTA-D4000 featuring dual drive units. With the Formtracer Avant series, Mitutoyo says it offers a versatile and comprehensive range to meet the demands of precision measurement. 

Traditionally, measuring surface roughness and contour required two separate devices or drive units. The FTA-H3000 enables both measurements in just one operation, reducing user error while maximising productivity.

One of the defining features of the FTA-H3000 is its Z1-axis measuring range of 16 mm, a 3.2-fold increase compared with the previous model. This enhancement allows the device to measure workpieces with large height differences effortlessly, offering versatility for diverse applications. Whether dealing with intricate components or larger structures, Mitutoyo says the FTA-H3000 enables precise, high-quality results.

Precision lies at the heart of the FTA-H3000. With a Z1 accuracy of (0.5+0.02H) µm and low straightness noise, users can have confidence in their measurement data, reports the company. The system is compliant with ISO21920 and other industry standards, ensuring reliable and consistent performance. Additionally, its stylus attachment and removal mechanism allows for interchangeability, offering a range of styli with different geometries to meet various measurement needs.

A key advantage of the FTA-H3000 is its retrofit capability, providing existing Avant customers with a simple and cost-effective upgrade path. The ‘hot-swap’ function enables users to replace their drive units quickly and easily using a tool-free rotary clamp system, ensuring minimal downtime and uninterrupted workflow.

More information www.mitutoyo.eu

First open-access rotor spin testing capability

New equipment at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) will put the UK at the forefront of future hybrid and electric propulsion. The AMRC is now home to an open-access rotor spin test capability, the first of its kind in the UK, for high-performance electrical machines and rotating machinery. 

The equipment’s arrival has been made possible by funding from UKRI’s Driving the Electric Revolution (DER) challenge, delivered by Innovate UK and secured by UK-based Driving the Electric Revolution Industrial Centres (DER-IC) manufacturing innovation network, to support the industry in developing the technology needed to reach net zero. 

Some £1.2m of this funding has been allocated to help establish a world-class spin testing capability to support the design, manufacture and validation of electrical machine rotors and other rotating components. The Schenck Centrio 100 test system, installed at the AMRC’s flagship Factory 2050 facility, part of the DER-IC network, will allow component-level testing at speed and elevated temperatures to simulate in-service conditions. 

Together with the other capabilities at the AMRC, it will enable the ability to manufacture, test and iterate design and processes for high-performance electrical machines and rotating machinery. Professor Mike Capaldi, chair of DER-IC says: “Due to the lack of a UK-based open-access facility for high-speed rotor spin testing and certification, UK manufacturers are often compelled to offshore essential testing such as product certification – facing long lead-times and limited availability. This reduces the overall access to testing during process and product development making advanced rotor testing rare despite the benefits and cost savings it could yield. The installation of this equipment is a significant milestone in our mission to grow UK manufacturing in PEMD to power net zero.”

More information www.der-ic.org.uk

Pailton names new MD

Coventry-based steering systems manufacturer Pailton Engineering has appointed Dave Pound as its new managing director. The family-run business is confident that Pound’s experience with tier-one automotive suppliers will help Pailton continue its upward trajectory. “The attraction was a business that is clearly doing well, but wants to do even better,” he explains. “Before taking this role, I had a lot of interaction with people here, from the family to the team members on the shop floor. It felt like everyone was ready to embrace change and I’m convinced that we can make a positive difference.”  

More information www.pailton.com

Metrology open day races to success

Bowers Group hit top gear at its recent metrology open day, hosted in collaboration with the University of Wolverhampton Racing (UWR). The event, held at the university’s engineering hub in Telford, brought together industry professionals from over 20 companies for an action-packed day of precision measurement, live demonstrations and motorsport innovation.

Martin Hawkins, managing director at Bowers Group, said: “Precision and accuracy are at the core of both high-performance engineering and competitive motorsport, making our relationship with UWR the perfect model to present an engaging and insightful metrology open day. The relationships built and strengthened during the event are something we’re excited to develop further as we move forward.”

More information www.bowersgroup.co.uk