CMM reaches quality summit

Summit Engineering (Birmingham) Ltd has invested in a Crysta-Apex CNC CMM from Mitutoyo. The CMM was installed in a newly-built, environmentally controlled inspection facility at the company’s Solihull production facility.

Director Kevin McCormick says: “Although the advanced Crysta-Apex CNC CMM was marginally more expensive than the other machine that made our shortlist, given the importance we place on quality, we were happy to place an order. As it had the ideal capacity for inspecting the vast majority of our components, we specified a Mitutoyo Crysta-Apex CNC CMM with an XYZ capacity of 705 x 1005 x 605 mm.”

Summit Engineering quality engineer Stephen Smolak adds: “Following its trouble-free installation, the new Mitutoyo Crysta-Apex CMM soon began making a significant contribution to ensuring the premium quality of our output. Due to its simple operation, soon after their initial training sessions, our operators quickly became confident its use. It helped that, while they were still learning, support was always available via Mitutoyo’s online service.

“In addition to inspecting large, one-off components, we are also able to load multiple smaller parts on to the CMM’s bed, recall the relevant program, then perform a rapid, fully automated CNC mass inspection routine,” continues Smolak. “Dependant on the customer’s requirements, we now archive the generated inspection results or print-off in-depth reports.

“Due to the specifications of our new Mitutoyo Crysta-Apex CMM it is able to inspect our most complex components, as well as those with extremely challenging accuracy requirements. In addition, our new CMM’s speed and ease of use, means that, not only is it capable of inspecting our current levels of output, it will also handle any future anticipated rises in production.”

For further information www.mitutoyo.co.uk

Rolls-Royce resumes two-shift working

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has resumed full two-shift production at its Global Centre of Luxury Manufacturing Excellence in Goodwood, West Sussex.

The move means that the marque is now operating at pre-lockdown levels, with the workforce maintained and all manufacturing staff on site. Strict health, safety and hygiene measures remain in place, in line with the latest official guidance.

“Returning to full two-shift production is a major milestone and comes just four months after we became the first UK automotive company to restart manufacturing after lockdown,” says CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös. “It reflects the long-term strength and resilience of our business and significant worldwide demand for our products, which have been boosted further by the recent launch of our new Ghost.”

For further information www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com

New talent at Inspec

Sheffield-based Inspec Solutions, a technology systems provider to industries including power generation, metals and petrochemical, has invested in its future by recruiting three new apprentices:

Tom Oakley (18), Tom Rickers (17) and Michael Cunningham (26). All three are undertaking a BSc in electrical engineering with Sheffield Hallam University, while simultaneously working as assistant controls engineers at Inspec Solutions. They join five apprentices already employed at the company as it continues investing in its own talent.

Mark Ritson, managing director at Inspec Solutions, says: “We’re constantly looking to increase our talent pool and strongly believe in training our own engineers to grow and develop within the company. This is our fourth cohort of apprentices and we really do recognise the value they bring to the business. We’ve kept a competitive edge by investing in our people – and our commitment to developing our own engineers through apprentice schemes is a big part of this.”

For further information www.inspecsolutions.co.uk

Topsolid opens two new subsidiaries

France headquartered Topsolid is pursuing its international growth strategy with the acquisition of two of its historical distributors in Belgium and the Czech Republic.

These new acquisitions are part of the Topsolid 4.0 strategic plan, which aims to accelerate its international development and its product offering as part of industry’s digitalisation.

Richard Lamure, CEO of Topsolid Group SAS, says: “We had two very good opportunities to expand our direct presence abroad. I’m very pleased to expand the Topsolid family and further strengthen our presence in Europe.”
A Topsolid partner for over 17 years, Belgium-based 4D Services has a strong team and recognised technical expertise. The company, which now becomes Topsolid Belgium, will be managed by Pieter Cornelis and Kurt Neuckermans, the two existing managers of 4D Services, who state: “Our common objective is to strengthen our operational capacities on technical and commercial levels. This will help us continue providing more service to our customers and reinforce our presence in the Belgian market.”

Centersoft has been present for 10 years in the group’s network of 70 distributors and is the only TopSolid reseller in the Czech Republic. Topsolid Czech will be managed by Karel Preis, CEO of Centersoft, who says: “We’re very confident about the development prospects of Topsolid Czech. The Czech Republic is historically a country with a strong mechanical culture,

and Topsolid CADCAM solutions – in particular TopSolid’Cam – have great potential for success.”

For further information www.topsolid.com

Vericut V9.1 raises bar for simulation

The latest Vericut version 9.1 CNC machine simulation, verification and optimisation software from CG Tech is said to raise the bar for CNC simulation with several new features that increase efficiency and empower users to do more in less time.

New visibility options, plus enhancements to tool-path optimisation, additive manufacturing, tooling and multi-tool stations, and measuring and inspection/reporting, are just a few of the noteworthy features in this latest release. Hundreds of customer-driven improvements and software requests were also incorporated in the new version.

“Vericut 9.1 continues to enhance the user experience through ongoing advancements in graphics and display controls, streamlined user controls, and more new capabilities and features than ever before,” says product manager, Gene Granata. “Version 9.1 also introduces a ‘Learn’ mode for Force optimisation – a form of artificial intelligence for faster/easier NC program optimisation. Using Learn mode, almost anyone can create highly optimised NC programs from existing programs, without the need to start again.”

New visibility features have been added to the project tree and Vericut’s right-click convenience menus for components and models, enabling users to toggle between visible and invisible states, or to enable/disable 3D objects for the simulation. Users can quickly see unobstructed views of the cutting process and gain better access to the part by removing enclosures, models of sheet metal or shrouding, and other ‘in-the-way’ objects via ‘Invisible’ or ‘disable’ actions.

Features have also been added to ‘Auto-Diff’, giving users a higher degree of control over component visibility, such as when fixture models should appear.

For further information www.cgtech.com