MACH prize win leads to machine investment

HepcoMotion is a specialist in linear motion technology, with its linear guide systems featuring V-guide technology adopted by machine designers across a range of sectors, including food processing and packaging, automotive (particularly EVs), renewable energy and medical. Continued product development and increased demand resulted in a need to invest in machine tools that would both improve productivity and enhance existing capacity. A visit to the XYZ Machine Tools stand at the MACH 2022 exhibition in April made that investment a little easier.

HepcoMotion’s engineering manager Ryan Berry was investigating improvements in the machining of ballscrews to support a new product launch, so a turning centre was on his list. While on the XYZ Machine Tools stand he was invited to fill out his details for entry into the now traditional XYZ prize draw, the winner of which would receive either the free use of a bed mill for 12 months or the option of a £10,000 discount off any machine in the XYZ range. Learning of his success in the draw, Berry chose the latter, placing an order for an XYZ CT 65 HD turning centre.

“We needed a turning centre that was capable of efficiently machining our hardened ball-screw ends, and the design of the CT 65 HD with its hardened box ways meant it would be robust enough for that work,” he says. “The machine also had the advantage of easy programming and quick changeover, making it ideal for both low- and high-volume work. We placed the order and were surprised to be advised that delivery would be within four weeks.”
For further information, www.xyzmachinetools.com

Faro releases all-new Vantage Max laser tracker

Faro has released its new VantageS6 Max and VantageE6 Max laser tracker series. The new laser trackers offer comprehensive, large-volume 3D measurement up to 80 m, streamlining processes and reducing inspection cycle times while ensuring confidence in the results.

The new Vantage Max enables organisations to increase their throughput while maintaining high inspection accuracy with an attractive 3D metrology option that expands upon the proven track record of the Faro Vantage series. These new trackers maximise 6DoF measurement capabilities via the optional 6Probe, enabling precise measurement of hidden areas and small features.

Faro’s 6Probe meets the dynamic measurement, speed and accuracy requirements of the most challenging industrial applications. With kinematic self-identifying styli, users can change probing tips quickly and measure without any recalibration, and measure hidden areas outside of the tracker’s line of sight with wide acceptance angles.

Moreover, the new Vantage Max provides more accurate 6DoF probing that helps speed up inspections and reduce the number of tooling changes and device moves. Previously, users relied on a spherically mounted retroreflector (SMR) to measure high accuracy points. In order to take these measurements, the user had to select an appropriate target nest and have line of sight. Typical users of the new trackers can now save up to 60 minutes each workday, says Faro.

“With the higher accuracy of the Vantage Max, users can probe more points beyond the line of sight, using an SMR only for alignment points and ultra-precision measurements,” says Leo Martinez, Faro product marketing manager. “This results in a significant productivity improvement of 20% compared to lower accuracy probes.”
For further information www.faro.com

Plug in, automated, non-contact measurement for cobots

The UK’s only fully traceable, automated non-contact gauging system is now available from RARUK Automation. Introduced as a plug and play accessory for the company’s e-Series range Universal Robot six-axis collaborative robot (cobot) arms, the Vectro-2 is the brainchild of Third Dimension, a company with a long track record of supplying non-contact optical measurement systems.

Vectro 2 enables automated 2D profile measurements to be taken quickly and accurately. The kit contains all the pre-configured hardware and software required for easy installation and rapid deployment. Measurement data can be used for inspection and quality control purposes or fed back to the production process for closed-loop control to minimise defects and waste.

The system can measure a variety of parameters: gap and flush, edge, radius, chamfer, angle and many other critical features in the manufacturing process. Thanks to the violet laser technology used in the Vectro 2’s new T-series sensor heads, it can be used on challenging surfaces such as high-gloss paint, glass, plastics, bare metal and fabrics.
RARUK Automation is the only UK distributor to hold platinum status, achieved through the depth of its technical expertise in identifying applications that can be successfully automated. The addition of Vectro 2 to its portfolio, significantly widens the scope of this work.

Through easy graphical programming, Vectro 2 makes it easy to create powerful, data-driven inspection and measurement processes that improve productivity. And, in line with all automation systems from RARUK Automation, Vectro 2 is system that can be applied in any manufacturing environment, from small start-ups to volume production.

RARUK Automation and Vectro 2 can be seen later this week at the North East Automotive Expo 2022 (stand B29) on 29 September at the Beacon of Light, Sunderland.
For further information www.rarukautomation.com

How to benefit from subcontract measurement

Following assembly, manufacturers must measure parts to ensure they meet specification. However, if they only have one CMM, or they measure parts by hand using micrometers, manufacturers will do so at a much slower rate, significantly delaying time-to-market. Furthermore, measuring any component manually not only slows down production, it also introduces the risk of human error.

While investing in more measurement equipment could be a simple solution to removing any bottlenecks, it might not be the most practical option. As well as the initial cost of the machine, manufacturers must invest in training to ensure that they can use the equipment correctly. Smaller manufacturers may not be able to buy equipment outright, so instead they can look to subcontract measurement services.

By working with a metrology specialist such as The Sempre Group, manufacturers can have peace of mind that someone else is measuring their parts accurately. Metrology engineers can take information from drawings and CAD files to determine the method of measurements and which machines to use. To measure complex parts, subcontract measurement experts can develop bespoke fixtures to hold parts steady. Once the customer agrees to the quote, engineers will measure a small batch of parts, sending reports back to the customer to verify they have met expectations. Following verification, engineers will measure the rest of the components, deliver reports and send the parts back.

Instead of relying on one trained engineer and one in-house CMM, manufacturers can take the pressure off and speed up production by outsourcing measurement to dedicated experts.
For further information www.thesempregroup.com

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