Starrag develops and produces manufacturing solutions for many leading manufacturers in the aerospace industry. By way of example, to shorten the measuring times for turbine blades, the Swiss company was the first in the world to work with the Zeiss Prismo fortis CMM as part of a pilot project.

Starrag says people react with fascination and great amazement when they see how accurately and quickly turbine blades can be measured on a Zeiss Prismo fortis, using Zeiss CMM Acceleration Mode for aerospace applications.

Roland Ziltener, plant director at Starrag AG in Rorschacherberg, remembers the project well: “We had a look at the machine in Oberkochen and were immediately impressed.”

To check whether the new development delivers the required precision despite the considerable optimisation of measuring time, all turbine blades manufactured by Starrag on behalf of partner customers were measured with the Zeiss Prismo fortis over 18 months. As the size, material and geometry of the turbine blades are different, the machine was “widely tested”, says Ziltener.

To evaluate the accuracy of the Zeiss Prismo fortis, the measurement results were compared with reference values from the Zeiss Prismo navigator. Zeiss used this information to optimise further the start-up and acceleration behaviour of the rotary table and the machine. Zeiss also simplified the usability of the machine and the creation of test plans during the pilot phase.

The pilot project showed that productivity in the measurement of turbine blades can be significantly increased with Zeiss Prismo fortis. The standard measurement, which took 4 minutes and 30 seconds at Starrag and delivered accurate and reproducible results, was reduced to 70 seconds during the pilot phase.

More information www.starrag.com

Global test and measurement expert Hottinger Brüel & Kjær (HBK) has added IO-Link functionality to its T210 torque sensor, helping engineers perform R&D and end-of-line torque testing more efficiently while simultaneously streamlining their processes.  

The T210 provides precise torque, rotational speed, angle and power measurements in a compact, easy-to-integrate format. Each unit is delivered with an individual test report and is suited to a wide range of industries, including automotive, machine building, and high-end appliance and commercial goods sectors. 

IO-Link is a fieldbus-independent, standardised communication interface that allows for digital, bidirectional point-to-point data exchange. Using standard M12 cables, the T210 can be quickly integrated into existing systems and connected to an IO-Link master. The IO-Link master manages protocol conversion and makes real-time measurement data available to all common fieldbus and automation systems, including EtherCAT and Profinet.  

The new IO-Link interface enables the digital transmission of not only measurement data but also extensive process, diagnostic and statistical information – making it easier to optimise processes and analyse performance in different applications. 

Compact and strain-gauge based, the shaft-style T210 is designed for easy integration into test benches, automation systems or direct connection to the device under test. Its non-contact energy and signal transmission system ensures long-term reliability and high measurement precision, reports HBK.

Along with the new IO-Link interface, the torque sensor includes voltage and frequency outputs for torque, speed and angle, giving engineers flexibility across a wide range of applications, from development testing to automated end-of-line testing.   

The T210 is available in nine nominal torque ranges from 0.5 to 200 Nm, and can be paired with a variety of accessories, including cables and bellows couplings.

More information www.bit.ly/44pXScv

As aerospace manufacturers race to ramp up production amid labour shortages and rising costs, Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division has launched the Leica Absolute Tracker ATS800, a next-generation laser tracker for high-mix, large-structure production environments. The system represents an entirely new quality inspection solution in large-scale manufacturing areas such as aerospace and wind energy, delivering direct scanning accuracy comparable to reflector measurement systems, packaged in a portable lightweight design.

With integration into digital and robotic automation workflows, the ATS800 reduces inspection time while enabling real-time measurement and process alignment. A key innovation is FeatureDetect, an automatic feature recognition capability that identifies important part geometries without the need for manual programming. By reducing operator workload, FeatureDetect unlocks productivity gains in both automated and manual inspection processes.

FeatureDetect operates from CAD data or independently, using the ATS800’s built in high-resolution panoramic camera. This wide-aspect live image feed allows the system to recognise features directly from the physical part, accelerating set-up and streamlining inspection.

With set-up times reduced from hours to minutes, Hexagon says the ATS800 supports unattended or in-process inspection – from fuselage alignment to composite lay-ups – without compromising on accuracy or traceability.

“Today’s manufacturers are under immense pressure to increase output while maintaining the highest quality standards, and traditional labour-intensive processes can’t keep pace,” states Rodrigo Alfaia, laser tracker product director at Hexagon. “The ATS800 eliminates hours of set up and ‘boots-on-the-ground’ measurement activity without sacrificing precision.”

He adds: “We’re physically and digitally automating large-scale inspection by bringing data-driven processes to the operational level, whether scanning a full fuselage overnight or guiding critical assembly processes in real time without the need for complex operator training.”

More information www.bit.ly/408wLA8

Vaisala has launched its DMP1 dew point and temperature probe to monitor environmental conditions in critical manufacturing rooms and spaces. With dew point measurement capability down to -70°C and rapid response capabilities that the company says is hundreds of times faster than competing measurement technologies, the new compact DMP1 is highly suited to dry rooms. 

The new Vaisala DMP1 probe provides precise measurements in demanding dry processing applications that include lithium-ion battery production, where humidity control is critical to manufactured battery performance. Employing advanced measurement technology, the DMP1 ensures dew point conditions stay as specified in all areas of a manufacturing dry room, helping to maintain both product quality and manufacturing safety. The DMP1 offers easy integration into centralised production, safety and quality monitoring systems.  

“The fast response of the new probe means that customers’ control systems are able to respond quickly, in a timely manner, ensuring the protection of product quality and safety,” says Juhani Lehto, product manager for precision instruments. “This means that customers can efficiently control any deviations in the dry room dew point. Quick reaction times translate into improved workplace safety in battery manufacturing, maintaining high product quality and avoiding waste in the production process.” 

The DMP1 is a part of the modular Vaisala Indigo measurement ecosystem, offering plug-and-play compatibility with connected smart devices. For example, it can be connected to an Indigo300 transmitter to display data locally and transmit measurement values to automation and control systems. The probe can also be connected to an Indigo80 handheld device for maintenance work, where interchangeable probes mean that downtime is minimised and service work is simplified. 

More information www.vaisala.com