CMM enables most accurate Lotus car ever

Since the first Lotus car was built in 1948, the company has been a beacon in the automotive industry for the design and manufacture of high-performance cars born out of success on the racetrack. The latest sports car, the Emira, is by far the most accurate model ever built by Lotus thanks to an upgrade in quality control at the company’s factory in Hethel, Norfolk. The upgrade includes investment in a five-axis HC-90TR twin-arm CMM manufactured in the UK by LK Metrology. This automated, multi-sensor inspection cell, part of multi-million pound investments made by Lotus since 2017, delivers absolute, 100%, non-contact dimensional inspection at production line speed, enabling real-time quality control.

The CMM is set 1 m into the floor on a special foundation. This configuration means that a car for inspection carried on an automated guided vehicle (AGV) can access the area without the need for any lifting equipment. The machine has a measuring volume of nominally 6.3 x 1.6 x 2.5 m, easily large enough to contain an entire car body.

Triple-laser cross scanners are deployed on both arms to measure features automatically on both sides of the Lotus Emira simultaneously. LK says that the HC-90 is the world’s most accurate range of horizontal-arm CMMs, able to measure to a volumetric accuracy of 10.0 μm + L/200 and with 6 μm repeatability. The machine combines the high performance of a bridge-type CMM with the flexibility of the horizontal-arm configuration widely used in car plants.

The CMM completes automated measuring cycles so quickly that it can keep up with the quick TAKT time that defines the speed of the Emira production line.
For further information www.lkmetrology.com

Providing all-round precision to Tenon Engineering

Dorking-based Tenon Engineering specialises in the integrated design and production of complex electromechanical assemblies. To support Tenon’s company-wide quality philosophy and aid its high-precision capabilities, the business provides its quality control staff with a range of cutting-edge inspection equipment. An example of Tenon’s willingness to invest in its quality function is the company’s recently purchased Mitutoyo RoundTest RA-2200 CNC instrument.

Tenon’s chief engineer Terry Healy says. “Much of our output has challenging roundness and cylindricity measurement parameters. In addition to the accuracy of the proposed new equipment being vitally important, because of the continuous throughput of high-precision components in our busy quality department, the speed and ease of use of the chosen system were also major considerations.

“Having studied the available options, we concluded that a RoundTest RA-2200 CNC was the best choice for our demanding precision and efficiency needs,” he continues. “As the Mitutoyo roundness and cylindricity measurement instrument is so easy to use, our quality control staff quickly mastered its operation. Now, in addition to measuring one-offs, we’re able to load batches of components on to the instrument’s table, recall previously written part-programs and start rapid, CNC inspection routines. Once underway, the instrument’s ability to undertake fully automated inspection tasks allows its operator to undertake other duties.

“In addition to the RoundTest RA-2200 being able to achieve the high levels of precision that we require, its fast CNC operation has reduced the possibility of bottlenecks in the areas of roundness and cylindricity inspection.”

A wide variety of RoundTest models are available to suit most applications, and despite their speed and ease-of-use, the instruments offer multifunction analysis capabilities.
For further information www.mitutoyo.co.uk

Renishaw ACS-1 keeps calibration simply accurate

Spindle probes for CNC machine tools can be highly repeatable, but their performance relies on accurate calibration. Renishaw has developed a simple solution to overcome the challenges associated with the manual probe calibration process, while consistently achieving high levels of repeatability. Accurate calibration ensures the probe’s performance is repeatable within the machine tool environment.

Today, many users perform the probe calibration process manually, which can cause variability even among skilled operators. Inaccurate probe calibration can affect all subsequent measurements; ACS-1 addresses this via a lockable mechanism that removes the need to use precision gauge blocks or slip gauges.

ACS-1 is mounted on the machine tool table or chuck using its magnetic base. A test bar (or a tool of known length) establishes an accurate datum surface by pushing the plunger down to the desired position; the plunger is locked in place. The probe’s overall length can be accurately calibrated, using the calibration disk (the top surface of the lockable plunger). The probe’s stylus ball diameter calibration takes place on the datum sphere, which can be mounted in two different positions on ACS-1, according to the CNC machine configuration.

In terms of advantages, the datum sphere can be mounted on one of two faces, both at a 45° angle. According to Renishaw, the mounting options allow ACS-1 to be the optimal probe calibration device for various CNC machine tool configurations. This includes vertical mills, lathes, turn-mills and five-axis machining centres, as the magnetic base allows the artefact to be mounted vertically or horizontally. The ACS-1 can determine the probe’s overall length and stylus ball diameter within minutes, and does not require batteries.
For further information www.renishaw.com/acs

Automated quality control with cobots

In a desire to provide easier access to automation, Creaform is unveiling the latest version of its VXscan-R software module for the VXelements 10 platform. This new version offers compatibility with a wider range of robots, including collaborative robots (cobots).

VXscan-R software is an integral part of the Creaform R-Series. According to the company, the software is the optimal automated 3D scanning solution for at-line applications, in turnkey solutions, or for customisable layouts. VXscan-R offers a reliable and accurate digital twin environment for program preparation, scan simulations and execution. Used with the MetraScan 3D-R, a robot-mounted optical CMM scanner, the R-Series is for companies that want to find defects earlier and ensure that all parts are measured correctly, without human impact and subjectivity.

With its lightweight and compact design, this new offer of cobots in the R-Series can be deployed easily and rapidly, regardless of the user’s level of expertise or experience.

Notably, the MetraScan 3D-R offers high-performance optics, blue laser technology and 360° target coverage, providing optimal measurement accuracy, speed, versatility and operational simplicity in quality control tasks.

“By adding the cobots to the R-Series offer, and by supporting more industrial robots, we can guarantee that the best scanning technology powered by offline programming software is accessible to businesses of all sizes,” explains Jérôme-Alexandre Lavoie, product manager at Creaform. “Truly, harnessing the power of automation has never been easier.”
For further information www.creaform3d.com

Nagel honoured by Bosch

The Bosch Group has honoured Nagel with a ‘Preferred Supplier’ certificate. Bosch only awards the certificate to suppliers who demonstrate outstanding competence in all fields and have shown above-average performance in the market. Important criteria include quality, delivery performance and reliability, pricing and costing, as well as availability, internal and external sales force communication, and innovative capability. Nagel is a specialist in honing and superfinishing technology represented by over 1850 employees at 26 locations worldwide.
For further information www.nagel.com