LK extends eco-friendliness of its CMMs

A new innovation, EcoAir, is now available from British CMM manufacturer LK Metrology to lower the carbon footprint of its products. The company can incorporate the technology into new machines built at LK’s Derbyshire factory or retrofit EcoAir to existing CMMs. It is possible to upgrade any make of CMM providing it features an LK NMC300 controller, which is also available from the manufacturer as a retrofit.

Connected to the machine’s air filter set, the EcoAir automatic shut-off unit interrupts the supply of compressed air to the CMM’s air bearings when the machine is idle, reducing consumption by up to 95% and leading to substantial energy and cost savings. The period of inactivity that triggers shut-down is adjustable to as little as one minute. The CMM remains ready for action, however, and the flow of compressed air resumes automatically when the CMM resumes action, in either manual or CNC mode.

Such power-saving devices help manufacturers to meet regulatory requirements for energy efficiency and support corporate social responsibility initiatives, while reaping the financial benefits of reduced electricity consumption. Other ecological measures introduced over the years by LK include a reduced thickness of the air bearing film needed to maintain smooth, accurate movement of the machine elements over their guideways. This design not only cuts air consumption when the CMM is in use but also offers 3.5 times higher stiffness than standard air bearings due to their wrap-around design. The major benefit is improved accuracy of measurement thanks to higher resistance to dynamic forces, particularly when tactile scanning or using long probes.

More information www.lkmetrology.com


Mitutoyo CMM ticks all boxes for AML

Advanced Manufacturing (Sheffield) Limited (AML) manufactures high-quality precision parts including complex gas turbine components such as blades, shafts, discs, blisks and bearings. Given the nature of the industries it serves, AML’s customers require work that complies with the most stringent quality standards. For this reason, the company recently purchased a second Crysta-Apex V122010 CMM from Mitutoyo UK.

Mark Hands, AML operations director, says: “The Mitutoyo CMM ticks important boxes such as speed of use, accuracy and aftersales support.”

Mitutoyo’s recently launched Crysta-Apex V1200, 1600 and 2000 series CMMs were developed for supporting the quality evaluation of volumetric parts, offering users up to 12.8 m³ of measuring volume. The robust and flexible range is able to accept touch-trigger probes, scanning probes, and both laser and scanning probes.

Crysta-Apex CMMs make use of a proven, lightweight bridge-type construction with high rigidity air-bearings on every axis, helping to deliver accuracy alongside both high speed and high acceleration rates. ABS linear scales provide high environmental resistance and save time at start-up as, unlike some other CMMs, homing is not necessary.

The Crysta-Apex V122010 variant, as purchased by AML, provides XYZ capacity of 1200 x 2000 x 1000 mm. Therefore, in addition to handling large individual components, users are able to load large batches of smaller parts on to the machine’s bed and perform fully automated mass inspection routines.

“As previously, the staff of Mitutoyo UK carried out a very efficient CMM installation,” says Hands. “In fact, the team not only installed the new CMM, but also relocated other inspection machines at the same time. The limited the amount of downtime and disruption within our facility ensured that we maintained our operational performance to our customer base.”

More information www.mitutoyo.co.uk

New chair for Automate UK

Manufacturing trade association Automate UK has appointed Peter Williamson as its new chairman, succeeding James Causebrook, who stepped down having reached the end of his two-year term. Formerly the PPMA group of associations, encompassing BARA and UKIVA, Automate UK was rolled out in 2024 following an extensive rebrand. Williamson joined the association’s board in 2017, holding positions as education director, finance director and CEO/vice chair prior to becoming executive chair. Causebrook, who has been involved with Automate UK in multiple capacities since 2018, will serve as finance director in 2025.More information www.automate-uk.com

Back to full strength

Machine tool supplier Mills CNC has appointed Chris Neale as its new business manager for Wiltshire and the Home Counties. This business manager position became vacant following the recent internal promotion of incumbent Richard Wilson to the role of sales director in November 2024. To ensure continuity, Wilson will be on hand to provide Neale with mentoring advice and support during what is expected to be a short familiarisation and transition period. Apprentice-trained and time-served engineer, Neale joined Mills CNC in 2017 and, over the past eight years, has worked in various roles.

More information www.millscnc.co.uk

Knighthood for IET president Warren East

Business chief and president of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), Warren East, received a knighthood in the King’s New Year Honours list for services to the UK economy and net-zero ambitions. An inspiring engineer and leader with a career that spans 40 years, East has made significant contributions to the engineering and technology industry. His award of Knight Batchelor is in recognition of his work as a business leader, formerly holding CEO positions at chip manufacturer ARM and Rolls-Royce Plc, and championing future direction for a net-zero world.

More information www.theiet.org