To supplement its high-accuracy HC-90 ceramic horizontal-arm CMMs, LK Metrology has introduced three additional models based on an aluminium construction. The new CMMs provide users with multiple affordable alternatives for the dimensional inspection of large components found typically in the automotive, land transport and heavy industries.

LK’s horizontal-arm CMMs are available in three ranges: the LY-90T table version, LY-90R rail version with single or twin arms, and the shop floor ready HD-90 rail version with single or twin arms, which is specifically for the quality control of vehicle bodies and sub-assemblies in car plants.

Of rail design, LK says the HD-90R single-rail and HD-90TR twin-rail models offer superior dynamics and accuracy for use in production areas. The CMMs feature protective covers to ensure thermal insulation against environmental changes, and protect the system from airborne contaminants.

Typically used in line-side metrology applications, the LY-90T table CMM has the horizontal arm installed on guideways side-mounted to a cast-iron surface plate for the measurement of metal and plastic components. The table and special three-point support system eliminate the need for expensive dedicated foundations.

The LY-90R single-rail and LY-90TR twin-rail CMMs offer a similarly advanced, cost-effective, typically in-line metrology solution for the dimensional control of large, heavy components found in vehicle manufacture and heavy engineering. The rails can be installed flush at floor level, with heavy-duty walk-on covers protecting the X-axis slideways. Notably, the open design provides full access for part loading/unloading, including within in-line/line-side automated inspection cells with roll-on/roll-off transfer systems.

For further information
www.lkmetrology.com

Looking for ways to improve the inspection of its critical components, Beatson Clark sought the help of Bowers Group, investing in a Baty Venture XT 3030 CNC to assist in its measurement of critical mould component dimensions.

One of the UK’s largest manufacturers of pharmaceutical glass containers, Beatson Clark has been designing and producing glass bottles and jars for 270 years.
As highly specified tooling is the start of the process at Beatson Clark, an improved inspection system – namely the Baty Venture XT – was the next logical step in the company’s evolution.

Used every day, primarily by quality department inspectors, the Baty Venture measures components that form the neck area of bottles and jars. These components have many critical dimensions and form the bulk of the system’s work, allowing the team to check batch parts thoroughly and ensure the use of only quality parts in production. With its user-friendly design making the machine quick and easy to learn, the XT is also utilised to qualify the work of machinists, allowing the inspection all components that make up a tooling set.

Daryl Fletcher, mould shop manager at Beatson Clark, says: “The vision system is very impressive. It’s fast, accurate and user friendly. Being able to import DXF files gives us the option of comparison, as well as direct measurement. The software is intuitive and easy to use, yet very powerful when it comes to recognising features and alignment.”

For further information
www.bowersgroup.co.uk

Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division is releasing its HP-L-10.10, which the company describes as a genre-busting non-contact laser sensor for CMMs that offers manufacturers the ability to perform dimensional measurements at comparable accuracy to tactile probing, and inspect almost any surface in a fraction of the time.

Manufacturers using CMMs for critical part measurements have become accustomed to trading speed for accuracy. The HP-L-10.10 sensor utilises Hexagon’s latest cross-platform laser line scanning technology to offer similar repeatability and performance compared with tactile measurements executed on the same CMM. Furthermore, it can measure 600,000 individual points per second with a probing form error of just 8 μm, rapidly capturing a complete high-resolution digital representation of a part that is valid for both surface and detailed feature inspection. While laser scanning has been possible on CMMs, the HP-L-10.10 is seven times faster than its predecessor and introduces high-precision scanning.

The new sensor employs Hexagon’s proprietary SHINE (Systematic High-Intelligence Noise Elimination) technology, making it possible to scan almost any part surface or finish at maximum speed and accuracy without user intervention.

“We believe this laser-line scanner is game-changing because it offers speed, flexibility and accuracy without sacrificing one crucial inspection need for another,” says Patryk Wroclawski, product manager non-contact & laser triangulation. “The HP-L-10.10 redefines what can be achieved with a single piece of equipment, so that our customers can utilise comprehensive measurement data for actions beyond final part quality, whether that be within new product development or continuous improvement initiatives.”

The HP-L-10.10 complements Hexagon’s extensive offering of sensor solutions for CMMs, providing manufacturers with greater flexibility in projects and the confidence that their CMM investment can take on the broadest range of measurement applications from larger sheet-metal parts to intricate electric vehicle components. Hexagon’s HP-L-10.10 is available for the Global S and Global Advantage CMMs.

For further information
www.hexagonmi.com

Vision Engineering has launched its DRV Stereo CAM, a stereo camera system that converts optical stereo microscopes into high-magnification, high-definition 3D stereo microscopes.

DRV Stereo CAM integrates seamlessly with Vision’s ergonomic stereo microscope, the Lynx EVO, while also upgrading compatible conventional binocular stereo microscopes to full HD 3D digital stereo imaging. The system combines all the benefits of high-resolution optical microscopy and Vision Engineering’s patented DRV ‘glasses-free’ digital 3D stereo viewing technology.

DRV Stereo CAM allows viewing to be separate from the target subject, enabling remote, safe and ergonomic positioning of the operator where the subject is required to be in a clean or aggressive environment. Samples in laminar flow cabinets, over production lines and in difficult to access areas can be safely and remotely viewed, in 3D, away from the microscope.

Paul Newbatt, group sales and marketing director, says: “Another advantage of DRV Stereo CAM is the live distribution of viewed images and video, so now, high-resolution 3D stereo images normally viewed in-situ through an optical microscope can be viewed, captured, recalled and shared across networks. Team members located within a building, across a company, or anywhere in the world can view the same 3D HD images in real time.”

For further information
www.visioneng.com

In addition to the quality of capital equipment considered by potential purchasers, the standard of the customer services provided by prospective suppliers is also a major part of any purchase decision.

The effectiveness of the support services offered by Mitutoyo UK is illustrated by the assistance given to Skar Precision Mouldings prior to, during and following the recent installation of a Mitutoyo CMM at the firm’s Hadleigh premises in Suffolk. Established in 1969, Skar Precision Mouldings has grown to become one of the UK’s largest injection moulding businesses. To help keep pace with demand, the company operates 35 high-yield machines with a tonnage range from 22-450 and a maximum shot weight of 2.4 kg, on a 24-hour/five days a week production cycle.

Skar’s requirement to undertake high-precision inspection routines and provide detailed inspection reports for a multi-national manufacturer of medical analysis equipment, recently prompted the search for a suitably accurate CMM. Having considered the offerings from several leading metrology companies, a Crysta-Apex S CMM with a capacity of 500 x 700 x 400 mm, was purchased from Mitutoyo UK.

As the Mitutoyo CMM arrived before the completion of Skar’s new temperature controlled inspection facility, the company took advantage of Mitutoyo UK’s customer service provisions.

Paul Chaplin, quality engineer and CMM programmer at Skar Precision Mouldings, says: “Mitutoyo UK provided us with a very efficient subcontract service. They measured and delivered our fully inspected critical parts on time, along with the required inspection reports. Once the building work was complete and our CMM had been installed, Mitutoyo supplied the part programs and ensured that a colleague and I received in-depth training.”

For further information
www.mitutoyo.co.uk