Mantech Geometrics has helped Rowan Precision, a member of Made in the Midlands, to increase its capability with an Aberlink machine that has enabled the company to carry out critical work for the medical sector. Mantech provides measuring solutions that include CMMs by Aberlink.

Rowan Precision has been manufacturing high-quality, precision-machined components and turned parts for over 30 years. During this time the company has built a strong reputation for quality and service, supplying national and international customers in diverse industries that include aerospace, medical, safety, defence, lighting, automotive, electronics and telecommunications.
The firm has purchased an Aberlink Xtreme 500 measuring machine from Mantech that enables it to carry out ventilator work for the COVID-19 relief efforts. Mantech is the official distributor of Aberlink products in the West Midlands and has supplied numerous machines to other Made in the Midlands members, such as Currie & Warner and Parker Precision.
Matt Lowe, technical director at Rowan Precision, says: “After looking around for a new measuring machine, we couldn’t ignore the value for money we would receive with Mantech Geometrics. We now have a fully automated and programmable CNC operation, which we didn’t have before, improving both our capabilities and productivity.
“We received impeccable service from Mantech, including offsite training and aftersales care,” he adds. “The machine has especially helped us during these difficult times as we wouldn’t have been able to produce components for ventilators without it.”
For further information www.aberlink.com

Ashford-based precision turned-parts manufacturer AES Precision Engineering has invested in a Trimos V5 height gauge from Bowers Group to ensure the quality of components it supplies to the medical, defence, aerospace, automotive and electronics industries.

Mark Wilson, director at AES Precision, says: “We have strict quality control procedures and must meet tight tolerances, so accuracy is incredibly important. The Trimos height gauge is a great solution for our general inspection requirements.”
AES typically uses a CMM for the measurement of complex components. However, for basic parts requiring quick and accurate measurements, a simple solution was needed that would be fast and easy to use. The business previously used a basic digital height gauge, but decided it was time to upgrade to a more sophisticated model with a few more features.
The Trimos V5 height gauge can be manually operated or motor driven, and has a clear display and user-friendly functions. Ease of use is a notable feature; so easy that all shop-floor operatives and inspectors at AES use the height gauge on a daily basis.
“We find the height gauge very accurate, and it has a great range of functions to suit our needs,” says Wilson. “Training was very straightforward and everyone here was confidently using the height gauge very quickly.”
Having the option of both manual and motor-driven operation means the height gauge can accommodate multiple users and achieve consistently accurate measurements, regardless of which mode is used. The side probe holders enable measuring with long, robust probes, which guarantee repeatability. AES calibrates the height gauge in-house at recommended intervals to ensure consistency.
For further information www.bowersgroup.co.uk

The UK Astronomy Technology Centre is working on two separate instruments that will teach astronomers far more about the universe than is known at present. Some of the parts are manufactured using tool paths created by Edgecam CADCAM software, and then measured to high accuracy using a Hexagon Global CMM.

The instruments will be fitted into the VLT (Very Large Telescope) at the Paranal Observatory in Chile – one of the most productive ground-based telescopes in the world.
One instrument is known as MOONS – Multi-Object Optical Near-infrared Spectrograph – which looks at many astronomical objects simultaneously, while gathering information from them all. The 75 mm square components for the precise calibration system which forms an essential part of the instrument, took a couple of hours to program with Edgecam. With the parts being used for holding optics, calibration was vital to ensure the incoming light source goes to the correct place. This outcome was achieved with the ATC’s Hexagon Global CMM, which checked the bores and positional tolerances of the components in the assembly.
The other instrument is ERIS – Enhanced Resolution Imager and Spectrograph – which will use the VLT’s adaptive optics to remove distortion from the atmosphere as the team hunts for planets outside the solar system.
The mechanisms for ERIS had to be within 10 µm for everything to line up, and the ATC used the CMM to guarantee that accuracy. Each individual mechanism was placed on shims attached to the optical bench. Measurements were taken to determine the centre of the mechanism and to make sure it was square and parallel. Shims were machined to bring the mechanism into the correct position, before the mechanism was rechecked. When the team was completely happy with each one, all components were placed together and a final optical check was performed.
For further information www.hexagonmi.com