First IP54-rated measuring arm

Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division has introduced full IP54 protection for its latest range of Absolute Arm models, together with other usability improvements and compatibility with the HxGN SFx asset management service. From ultra-high-accuracy probing with the Absolute Arm Compact to high-productivity 3D laser scanning with the Absolute Arm 7-Axis and Absolute Scanner AS1, every new Absolute Arm model will be fully equipped for the demands of measuring and monitoring in the most challenging measurement environments.

According to Hexagon, an IP54 protection rating is a market first for portable measuring arms and comes alongside a further environment-related improvement that sees the system’s maximum operating temperature increased to 45°C. Together with the Absolute Arm’s portability and versatility, these updates complete a package that is suitable for the demands of the hot and dusty environments in which metrology-grade inspection is used all over the world.

“In the past few years we’ve seen a migration in where our arms are being used,” explains Anthony Vianna, product director – portable measuring arms. “Whereas once most arms would sit in a nice clean metrology room, today we see them used on shop floors, in foundries and close to machining centres. That’s why this update to the Absolute Arm is so important – we want our customers to go into those environments with total confidence that they can measure anywhere.”

Also arriving with this update are improvements to the functionality of the Absolute Arm wrist display, now upgraded to a touchscreen, and the RDS software that drives it. These are changes intended to further enhance the ease of on-the-ground measurement processes by bringing more functionality to the point of measurement and reducing trips back and forth between the arm and its control computer.

For further information www.hexagonmi.com

Dugard expands presence in Scotland

With UK manufacturing exiting the pandemic at speed and the fuel crisis pushing the UK government to source more fuel from the North Sea, Dugard has appointed Ross Love as area sales manager for Scotland. Love has almost 20 years of experience in the manufacturing sector.

Sales director Colin Thomson says: “Ross has an excellent track record in technical sales in the cutting tool sector, which will put him in good stead for his future with Dugard. Additionally, as a former machinist, CNC programmer and applications engineer for a machine tool company, his fundamental knowledge and understanding will be extremely beneficial to customers of Dugard in Scotland.”

For further information
www.dugard.com

Vapour smoothing of 3D-printed parts

Protolabs has announced a major breakthrough with the launch of vapour smoothing for 3D-printed parts. This automated post-processing technology is a significant advancement for additive manufacturing because it further enhances a plastic component’s surface finish on even the most complex geometries. Vapour smoothing is currently available for the commonly used PA-12 nylon material, plus TPU-01 elastic material.

Andrea Landoni, Protolabs EMEA’s 3D printing product manager, says: “Although 3D printing allows an engineer to design and produce complex parts and is ideal for low production runs when compared with injection moulding, the surface finish of the latter is far smoother. Now, using vapour smoothing, we can bridge that gap for additive manufactured parts, smoothing and sealing even the smallest cavities on the surface. This allows components in these materials to be used for a wider range of applications that demand a very fine smooth finish for aesthetic and functional reasons.”

The process also improves a part’s mechanical properties with increased elongation at break and impact strength, while the sealed and smoother surfaces are water/airtight and easier to clean.

“As the finishing process is automated, it can be used for far more geometries than a manual smoothing process, which can be limited due to reaching difficult to access areas,” says Landoni. “This means that you can have all the advantages of additive manufacturing and achieve a component surface finish that is comparable to injection moulding.”

Following production of the parts using selective laser sintering (SLS) or Multi Jet Fusion (MJF), the team at Protolabs transfers the components into a smoothing chamber which heats them and introduces a finishing agent. Under carefully controlled conditions, this agent evaporates and the vapour spreads across all surfaces of the part. This causes them to melt, liquefy and redistribute material to even out any peaks and troughs.

For further information
www.protolabs.co.uk

AM parts for racing boat

3D printing innovator, AMufacture, has leveraged HP’s Multi Jet Fusion technology for the design and integration of a crucial part that will be used on a carbon-fibre racing boat ahead of its transatlantic challenge. The manifold, which controls water going into a ballast tank, is light, durable and watertight, ensuring it meets the standards required of an elite level racing boat. HP Multi Jet Fusion has enabled UK-based AMufacture to be one of the first on-demand manufacturers to offer this technology, while saving costs for the company and reducing lead times for customers.

For further information
www.bit.ly/3w4pRh8

Cost-effective tool grinding

Offering the cost-effective grinding of tools of up to 125 mm diameter, 235 mm long and 12 kg in weight, the new Helitronic G 200 is the latest addition to Walter’s range of tool grinding and erosion machines. Making its public debut at the GrindingHub 2022 exhibition (17-20 May, Stuttgart, and available in the UK from Walter Ewag UK), the compact machine occupies a footprint of less than 2.3 sq m and features Walter’s characteristic ergonomic design and quality build principles.

With a maximum grinding wheel diameter of 150 mm, the Helitronic G 200 features a low-vibration solid mineral cast bed and is of C-frame construction for damping and temperature stability. The linear X, Y and Z axes mirror Walter’s quality standards, while the rotating A and C axes have torque motors for maximised usage with minimal service.

The machine’s flexibility is enhanced with the use of Walter’s Top Loader loading system (pictured), which obviates extra space requirements – and provides easy access – by being integrated into the working envelope. Suitable for tools of 3 to 16 mm diameter, Top Loader can accommodate 500 tools of 3 mm diameter, for example, on its Walter-standard robot pallets.

Available with a swivelling, multi-function touch panel featuring a 21.5 inch monitor, the Helitronic G 200 also utilises Walter’s established Helitronic Tool Studio grinding software for ease of programming.

For further information
www.walter-machines.com