FEATURE ON METROLOGY

Rotary axis table for portable CMMs

RPI, a provider of rotary measurement and angular positioning devices, has expanded its metrology product range with the launch of OctoScan, improving productivity by up to 40%.
OctoScan is a highly accurate rotary axis enhancing the measurement capability of portable measurement arms. The device enables users to record objects that are larger than the standard reach of the portable arm easily and accurately.

This new rotary positioning system provides additional flexibility to the measurement process, minimising errors and increasing accuracy for otherwise difficult-to-reach areas with an overall increase in measurement volume.

OctoScan is also built with convenience in mind with wireless functionality and high portability around the production line. It can integrate with any measurement arm or portable CMM. For example, the LK Metrology Freedom Arm measuring system on display at the Control 2022 exhibition earlier this year had a fully integrated OctoScan via PolyWorks software.

The universally compatible design enables very easy set-up. Additionally, OctoScan’s design allows parts to fix into place in many different ways. Built-in magnets and multiple threaded fixing holes allow for an element of bespoke fixing.

Thanks to its full access to say, larger parts, and using only a single set up, OctoScan is able to increase overall workplace productivity by up to 40%, while also significantly minimising human error and fatigue. This is due to it eliminating the need for repeat measurements of certain parts that would typically stand outside the measurement range. Octoscan has a radial and axial runout of 1 µm and coning of axis ±0.5 arcs-seconds.
For further information www.rpiuk.com/products/octoscan

Quality comes to the surface with Accretech

After searching for a suitably accurate and efficient portable means of inspecting the surface characteristics of ground components, the technical staff of Kingsbury’s Grinding Division discovered the Accretech HandySurf+ instrument. In addition to delivering the high-levels of precision required, the robust product facilitates easy transportation to customer premises and to the ability withstand shop-floor use.

Kingsbury launched the company’s Grinding Division in 2017 and now represents Haas Schleifmaschinen GmbH in the UK, Ireland and Gulf regions. Also, in late 2021, Kingsbury began representing Studer within the Gulf area.

The recently purchased Accretech HandySurf+ at Kingsbury is now gathering accurate surface roughness data in pre-qualification trials before the sale of grinding machines. Kingsbury also uses the instrument to aid the development of new processes.

Grinding Division application engineer Kevin Ling says: “When demonstrating the effectiveness of our machine tools and showing the complexity of the components we can develop, establishing the required surface finish standards is a priority. This is a necessity not only for customer compliance, but also for determining dressing parameters and the optimal grinding wheel specification.

“The purchase of our advanced Accretech instrument provides us with the ability to measure surface roughness quickly with excellent levels of precision,” he adds. “In addition to other uses, our HandySurf+ is employed to prove the exceptional standards of surface finish that our grinding machines are able to achieve and provide our customers with confidence. Also, our Accretech equipment guarantees that our machines continue to deliver expected financial returns to our customers as we assist in the development of new processes and product lines.”
For further information www.accretech.eu

Magtec ‘co-ordinating’ quality with Mitutoyo

Founded in 1992, Rotherham-based Magtec is the UK’s largest supplier of electric drive systems and specialist hybrid solutions. The privately-owned firm’s technologies include motors, gearboxes, generators, power controllers, battery systems and condition monitoring systems for heavy goods vehicles, buses, multi-wheeled and tracked defence vehicles, and bespoke specialist vehicles.

To ensure the continuation of its premium quality standards, Magtec administers a rigorous, company-wide quality-control regime and makes use various advanced inspection aids. The latest addition to Magtec’s collection of high-technology measuring equipment is a Mitutoyo Crysta-Apex S CMM.

Explaining the purchase Magtec head of quality Tom Dalgliesh says: “When the need arose for a high-precision CNC CMM, in addition to considering the potential machine’s accuracy standards, mindful of our rapidly increasing production volumes, we also considered factors such as speed and ease of use. As it satisfied all of our accuracy and efficiency requirements, we chose a Mitutoyo Crysta-Apex S CMM with a measuring capacity of 900 x 1000 x 600 mm in the X, Y and Z axis respectively.

“Now installed in our temperature-controlled inspection department, the Crysta-Apex S is delivering the high levels of precision that we need,” continues Dalgliesh. “Also, because of its impressive speed of operation and fast acceleration, not only is our new Mitutoyo CMM able to keep pace with our current output levels, it will also be able to cope with the massive rises in production and the increased amount of inspection work that we anticipate.”

Having written a large number of part programs, Magtec is now able to load single large components or large batches of smaller parts on to the Mitutoyo CMM’s bed, recall the relevant programs and start rapid, automated CNC inspection routines.
For further information www.mitutoyo.co.uk

Desktop Metal extends SolidCAM partnership

Desktop Metal, a global specialist in additive manufacturing technologies for mass production, has expanded its relationship with CNC software innovator SolidCAM, creator of iMachining tool-path technology and a distributor of solutions to precision metal manufacturers worldwide. SolidCAM has offered Desktop Metal products in Germany since 2021. Now, the company will offer Desktop Metal solutions for direct printing of metal to customers in the US, where SolidCAM has technology centres at its headquarters in Newton, Pennsylvania, and Rancho Cucamonga, California, as well as the UK, Israel and India.
For further information www.desktopmetal.com

All-new TruMotion rotary table

RPI UK, a specialist in precision rotation and angular positioning, launched its TruMotion rotary table at the Control 2022 exhibition in Stuttgart, Germany earlier this month. According to the company, TruMotion verifies small or medium circular parts with an accuracy more commonly seen in the standards laboratory. Manufacturers in the high-precision and general machining industries will be able to check roundness to the required accuracy of any turned or ground parts.

TruMotion is operated manually and enables the inspection of circular components such as pinions, gears, gauges, bearings, aero-engine components and optical assemblies in a production environment. It will be used to measure small and medium sized round parts, with dimensions of up to 400 mm diameter by 220 mm high, weighing up to 50 kg. TruMotion has a radially adjustable articulated probe holder and an axial and radial bearing performance of less than 1 µm.

Peter Marchbank, managing director of RPI, says: “Precision engineering companies, from global producers to small machining workshops, will now be able to easily verify and inspect small and medium sized circular parts with the required accuracy.”

RPI grew out of acquisitions from Optical Measuring Tools, Airmatic, Horstmannn and Eimeldingen. The company is now one of the world’s largest designers and manufacturers of solution-driven, highly accurate inspection systems and services that measure circular geometry and angular positioning.

Using its 75+ years of rotary expertise, RPI supplies progressive engineering industries, including the aerospace, gas turbine and dimensional metrology sectors, with low-maintenance products that offer a service life measured in decades, not years.

For further information
www.rpiuk.com