Connected metrology at the DMC

The Digital Manufacturing Centre (DMC) is further expanding its partnership with Renishaw through the addition of connected metrology solutions. This new agreement is critical to the DMC’s on-site machining and inspection capabilities, delivered via precision engineering specialist Produmax. The partnership will see Produmax’s machining and inspection services linked into the DMC’s intelligent, connected process chain, making for a key element in the realisation of a true digital twin and the real-world application of Industry 4.0.

Equipped with a new DMG Mori DMU 60 eVo Linear five-axis machining centre, Produmax will utilise a Renishaw OMP600 optical probe in conjunction with NC-Checker and NC-PerfectPart software from Renishaw associate company MSP, to ensure machine capability and enable complex part alignment prior to machining. A Siemens controller will proactively adapt machining processes to the subtle variations in net-shape components made through additive manufacturing.

During machining, a Renishaw NC4+ Blue laser tool setter will help the DMC achieve the high levels of precision required to deliver the necessary tolerances and surface finishes. Produmax will then analyse the parts using a Renishaw Revo five-axis measurement system to certify quality.

Revo’s multi-sensor capability and high-performance scanning provide Produmax with non-contact and surface finish analysis in a single CMM. The CMM will come equipped with Renishaw’s five-axis tactile scanning and touch-trigger probe, surface-finish measurement tools (SFP2) and non-contact optical fringe probe (RFP). This suite of technology will give the DMC and Produmax the ability to carry out a variety of measurement tasks in a single datum system and in one operation.

Headquartered at Silverstone Park, the DMC aims to realise the disruptive potential of additive and connected manufacturing.

For further information
www.digitalmanufacturingcentre.com\

White paper on vehicle part machining

A new white paper from Soraluce sets out how to maximise productivity when manufacturing parts for industrial vehicles and forestry machinery, including bulldozers, harvesters, forwarders and mobile cranes. In these demanding applications, the development of technologically advanced manufacturing solutions that reduce machining times and offer high availability and accuracy is key to meeting the sector’s production challenges.

Machine tool manufacturer Soraluce (represented in the UK and Ireland by long-term partner Ward CNC) offers a range of machining solutions to manufacture industrial vehicle parts. Thanks to its development of milling solutions, and expertise and experience in machining, Soraluce is able to deliver customised machine tools adapted to each application. Based on this knowledge, the company has produced a new white paper, revealing the keys to improving productivity in the machining of industrial vehicle components.

Download the white paper at https://is.gd/usoruh

Grinding wheels for manual operations

Compared with conventional resin-bonded grinding wheels, Engis says that its Dia-ForZ range of diamond-plated wheels offers many significant benefits, including greater operator safety. For instance, as the diamond grit is electroplated to the metal body, the wheel cannot fail, break or come apart due to abuse. This factor is particularly important in hand-tool operations, where it is easy to drop the grinder, or the machine over-speeds due to the failure of the governor.

Dia-ForZ diamond-plated wheels last longer and cut faster than aluminium oxide and zirconia alumina alternatives. Furthermore, because diamond stays sharper for longer and cuts faster, less force is required to remove imperfections on castings, leading to enhanced operator ergonomics.

The wheels do not need to be dressed, thanks to greater grit exposure than is seen in conventional wheels. In addition, as the wheel does not wear like a conventional wheel, there is no loss of form or peripheral speed, resulting in less dust.

The Dia-ForZ range is available in portable Ty 1, Ty 6 and Ty 27 versions, as well as cut-off wheels, burrs and wheels for robotic cells.

For further information
www.engis.com

Metro Madrid selects Guyson

Finishing equipment manufacturer, Guyson International, with its Spanish distributor Materias Primas Abrasivas, has recently installed a Guyson Euroblast 8 air-wash cabinet into Metro Madrid’s main maintenance workshop for removing dust particles and other contaminants from the braking systems of underground trains.

The health, safety and wellbeing of Metro Madrid’s maintenance staff was the primary concern when selecting the system. Guyson’s Euroblast 8 blow-off cabinet provides a sealed work chamber for safely air washing braking systems utilising a hand-operated air-wash gun. Removing dust, dirt and debris from underground train braking systems is a daily maintenance task for the Metro team, so keeping a clean and safe environment without leaking dust, dirt, debris or noise into the work area is essential.

In terms of design, the cabinet is fitted with two air-wash guns – high pressure and low pressure – which the operator can easily select depending on the type and/or volume of contaminant: high pressure for the aggressive removal of caked-on dust, or low pressure for lighter material.

In order to retain high visibility during the brake cleaning process, a Guyson C400 cartridge dust collector connects to the rear of the cabinet, effectively removing the loosened dust and airborne particles into the collection bin so they can be safely disposed of, while maintaining a clean working environment.

Due to the numerous types of braking systems, some of which are extremely heavy, the Madrid Metro maintenance team selected the Euroblast 8 blow-off system with optional side-loading turntable, which enables large/heavy items to be loaded directly on to the turntable via crane or forklift. The turntable pushes into the cabinet, with hand rotation providing all-round access during the cleaning process.

For further information
www.guyson.co.uk

Technology partnership

Williams Racing has struck a new technology and innovation partnership with B&R Industrial Automation, a unit of ABB’s Robotics and Discrete Automation business. The agreement will see B&R Industrial Automation embed its PLC hardware and I/O modules in the wind tunnel facilities at the team’s base in Grove, Oxfordshire. Controlled by B&R Industrial Automation’s APROL edge controller, the enhancements will measure and record the energy consumption of wind tunnel infrastructure.

For further information
www.williamsf1.com