FEATURE ON METROLOGY

Tailor-made modernisation of an LH gantry

With increasing market demand and growing technological innovation, Jintongling Technology Group Co Ltd is facing new challenges: the wind turbine components it manufactures are becoming increasingly larger, and measurement requirements are becoming more complex. Existing measurement devices can no longer meet the demands for high precision and efficiency. A new measurement solution was therefore necessary to meet both current requirements and provide future expansion options.

For this reason, Jintongling decided to collaborate with Wenzel to upgrade its existing Wenzel LH Gantry CMM (built in 2015). The goal was to future-proof the existing system and meet increasing demand for precision and flexibility. Wenzel’s professional team conducted a comprehensive inspection of the original measuring system.

“We not only inspected the core components but also conducted a detailed performance evaluation to find the optimal solution for Jintongling,” reports a Wenzel engineer. After intensive technical co-ordination, a custom modernisation plan was developed. The main modification consisted of converting the original bridge-type CMM into a gantry-type CMM to ensure greater measurement accuracy and stability. Furthermore, the measuring range was expanded from the original 2 m to 2.5 m in the X axis, and from 1.5 m to 2.8 m in height. Thanks to underground construction, the load-bearing capacity also saw a significant increase – a decisive advantage for the large-format measurement requirements in the fluid power and wind power industries.

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In addition to the improved workpiece holding capacity and load capacity, the expanded inspection function is particularly noteworthy. The modernised CMM now also enables gear inspection, enabling Jintongling to measure large gearboxes for wind turbines with high precision.

“With this solution, we can not only meet the increasing demands of the market but also gain a competitive advantage,” says a Jintongling representative.

More information www.wenzel-group.com

Mitutoyo unveils Formtracer Avant FTA-H3000

Mitutoyo’s Formtracer Avant series now welcomes the FTA-H3000, a model that seamlessly integrates surface roughness and contour measurement into a single drive unit. This addition completes a robust line-up, which includes the FTA-S3000 for surface roughness, the FTA-C3000 and FTA-C4000 for contour analysis, and the FTA-D3000 and FTA-D4000 featuring dual drive units. With the Formtracer Avant series, Mitutoyo says it offers a versatile and comprehensive range to meet the demands of precision measurement. 

Traditionally, measuring surface roughness and contour required two separate devices or drive units. The FTA-H3000 enables both measurements in just one operation, reducing user error while maximising productivity.

One of the defining features of the FTA-H3000 is its Z1-axis measuring range of 16 mm, a 3.2-fold increase compared with the previous model. This enhancement allows the device to measure workpieces with large height differences effortlessly, offering versatility for diverse applications. Whether dealing with intricate components or larger structures, Mitutoyo says the FTA-H3000 enables precise, high-quality results.

Precision lies at the heart of the FTA-H3000. With a Z1 accuracy of (0.5+0.02H) µm and low straightness noise, users can have confidence in their measurement data, reports the company. The system is compliant with ISO21920 and other industry standards, ensuring reliable and consistent performance. Additionally, its stylus attachment and removal mechanism allows for interchangeability, offering a range of styli with different geometries to meet various measurement needs.

A key advantage of the FTA-H3000 is its retrofit capability, providing existing Avant customers with a simple and cost-effective upgrade path. The ‘hot-swap’ function enables users to replace their drive units quickly and easily using a tool-free rotary clamp system, ensuring minimal downtime and uninterrupted workflow.

More information www.mitutoyo.eu

First open-access rotor spin testing capability

New equipment at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) will put the UK at the forefront of future hybrid and electric propulsion. The AMRC is now home to an open-access rotor spin test capability, the first of its kind in the UK, for high-performance electrical machines and rotating machinery. 

The equipment’s arrival has been made possible by funding from UKRI’s Driving the Electric Revolution (DER) challenge, delivered by Innovate UK and secured by UK-based Driving the Electric Revolution Industrial Centres (DER-IC) manufacturing innovation network, to support the industry in developing the technology needed to reach net zero. 

Some £1.2m of this funding has been allocated to help establish a world-class spin testing capability to support the design, manufacture and validation of electrical machine rotors and other rotating components. The Schenck Centrio 100 test system, installed at the AMRC’s flagship Factory 2050 facility, part of the DER-IC network, will allow component-level testing at speed and elevated temperatures to simulate in-service conditions. 

Together with the other capabilities at the AMRC, it will enable the ability to manufacture, test and iterate design and processes for high-performance electrical machines and rotating machinery. Professor Mike Capaldi, chair of DER-IC says: “Due to the lack of a UK-based open-access facility for high-speed rotor spin testing and certification, UK manufacturers are often compelled to offshore essential testing such as product certification – facing long lead-times and limited availability. This reduces the overall access to testing during process and product development making advanced rotor testing rare despite the benefits and cost savings it could yield. The installation of this equipment is a significant milestone in our mission to grow UK manufacturing in PEMD to power net zero.”

More information www.der-ic.org.uk

Partnership drives industry-relevant learning

The latest revision of the Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) – HNC in Mechanical Engineering for England has emphasised the need for educational institutions to collaborate with industry specialists. These partnerships ensure that students gain industry-relevant knowledge and practical skills aligned with real-world expectations. When Gateshead College began revising its quality control modules, finding the right partner became a critical step in shaping the future of its engineering curriculum.

Gateshead College faced the challenge of identifying a partner capable of delivering cutting-edge quality control solutions and hands-on training, while enhancing the overall learning experience for students. The ideal partner would not only supply state-of-the-art technology but also support the programme with industry expertise, ease of implementation and cost efficiency.

After evaluating several options, Gateshead College chose Aberlink. This decision was based on Aberlink’s reputation for delivering high-quality, easy-to-use CMMs and its commitment to supporting education. The college invested in two Aberlink systems: a Fulcrum manual CMM, designed for first- and second-year students to develop foundational skills; and an
Extol CNC CMM, allowing students to progress on to more advanced, automated measurement techniques later in their course. This two-tiered approach ensures that students gain a comprehensive understanding of quality control processes, preparing them for careers in engineering and manufacturing.

Aberlink also plays an active role in enhancing the educational experience by hosting tailored training sessions for students, both at Gateshead College’s modern engineering facility and at Aberlink’s office in South Shields. By sharing industry insights and expertise, our CMMs ensure the curriculum remains aligned with current and future engineering trends.

More information www.aberlink.com

New era in performance and flexibility for QC

Zeiss has launched its Spectrum family of CMMs, which the company says is engineered to deliver stability and flexibility at an attractive price-performance ratio. According to Zeiss, Spectrum is set to transform quality control processes across various industries, including automotive and general machinery.

Zeiss Spectrum CMMs combine both tactile and optical scanning capabilities, featuring the Vast XXT TL3 compact design sensor that enhances available measuring volume, as well as the LineScan One laser scanner for high-speed optical measurements. By offering seamless integration of these technologies, Zeiss Spectrum empowers businesses to perform comprehensive inspections with a single machine, improving productivity and precision.

Available in four sizes, Zeiss Spectrum delivers adaptability for measuring a range of parts and geometries. The RDS probe carrier for Spectrum Verity enables flexible angle positioning, with up to 20,736 possible positions, allowing for accurate and versatile measurement configurations. The system’s glass ceramic scales have near-zero thermal expansion, which minimises temperature-based errors and ensures stability over time.

For delicate and flexible parts, Zeiss Spectrum offers the SoftTouch Mode sensor option, incorporating the Vast XXT TL1 sensor. This feature enables precise and rapid results, with the potential to reduce measurement cycle times by up to 40%.

The compact footprint of sensor option also allows for optimised lab space utilisation without compromising measurement volume, making it ideal for workshops of any size. Furthermore, the newly integrated LineScan One allows optical scanning with high speed in a single set-up, enabling users to capture complex geometries and surface details with minimal effort.

“We’re excited to introduce the sensor option to the market,” states Andrzej Grzesiak, head of the multisensory CMMs business unit at Zeiss. “This product provides our customers with the precision and flexibility they need while maintaining a focus on affordability and efficiency.”

More information www.zeiss.com