Baty International, part of the Bowers Group, recently supplied Broanmain Plastics with a Baty R14 profile projector to assist with its inspection and quality processes.

As a family-run technical trade moulder, Broanmain Plastics manufactures compression and injection moulded components used in various applications across many industries including, aerospace, electronics, railway signalling, filtration and climate management systems.

Between two sites in Surrey and West Sussex, Broanmain Plastics houses machinery with capacities up to 550 ton and a shot weight of over 1500 g. It is imperative to not only make sure the component is visually perfect, but also fail-safe where customers require the utmost safety from the part.

Looking to improve on the consistency of manufactured components, and work more effectively within time constraints, Broanmain Plastics decided to invest in the Baty R14 profile projector.

Managing director Jo Davis says: “Quality is vital for different reasons. For some, it’s safety-critical, for others the requirement may be more aesthetic. But what’s always required is consistency. I’ve been really pleased with the help, support and services from the Bowers Group. While I don’t operate the machine myself, we also use the shadowgraph in our tool room. The Baty R14 makes the process quicker and easier. It’s been an invaluable installation to both the quality team and the company as a whole.”

Speaking of the Fusion software, tool-room manager Kamil Stec adds: “Working with injection moulding, the parts we measure are often hard to fixture. We’ve found that the software’s feature align option saves a lot of set-up time. There are also several handy construction options available.”

For further information
www.bowersgroup.co.uk

GOM will be running the UK launch of the #HandsOnMetrology network via a webinar on 31 March. The event is in partnership with Central Scanning, a local #HandsOnMetrology partner that will be introducing the latest hand-held 3D scanning systems from GOM and Zeiss.

#HandsOnMetrology is a new global 3D scanning network and provides a digital go-to for everything the industry wants to know about 3D scanning. GOM, a Zeiss company, operates the platform.

From step-by-step set-up instructions to more advanced tutorials and expert hacks: the platform is made for learning and getting inspired. According to GOM, #HandsOnMetrology gives users all the information they need to deliver 3D scanning excellence. The platform supports the community of designers, technicians, engineers, scientists and specialists with valuable knowledge to increase product quality, optimise processes and expand possibilities.

Kevin Hawley, director at GOM UK, says: “We know there are many applications to cover with 3D scanning, from large parts like welded frames and huge castings for power generation, to highly complex and detailed parts. Sometimes, extremely portable systems are necessary for remote locations or confined spaces. All of these tasks need the right solution and #HandsOnMetrology is there to help you with this.”

He continues: “During the webinar we will cover the features and benefits of this new platform, see some of the makers’ stories to learn how #HandsOnMetrology has helped their processes, and meet products in the portfolio. A Q&A will end the webinar.”

For webinar registration
https://is.gd/efoxet

Given the intense competition between engineering subcontractors, it is often the businesses with unique selling points that stand out from the crowd. One such company is Washington, Tyne and Wear based RDS Precision Engineering. In addition to establishing a reputation for delivering on time and on budget, the busy company’s main differentiator is its highly developed quality ethos. To help ensure the premium quality of production output, regular investments are made in high-precision inspection equipment.

The latest addition to RDS Precision’s quality control department is an Accretech SurfCom NEX 041 CNC measuring station that provides the company with contour and surface roughness measurement capabilities.

Director Rob Bone says: “We use a selection of standard inspection equipment, such as CMMs and vision measuring systems. Also, given the demanding specifications and challenging dimensional tolerances of our components, we use specialised metrology equipment, like our recently purchased advanced Accretech CNC contour and roughness measuring system.”

The SurfCom NEX 041 is suitable for the measurement of contour geometries on parts that include ball screws and large bearings.

“We were previously using a shadowgraph to measure a family of parts with demanding angular contour specifications, and struggled to achieve the required levels of precision,” says Bone. “Now, however, we’re able to load each of these parts on to the SurfCom NEX 041, recall the relevant program and instigate a precise, fully automatic CNC measuring routine. Not only has the Accretech machine improved our precision standards related to these challenging components, it has also slashed the time taken to inspect them.”

For further information
www.accretech.eu

Ametek Land, a manufacturer of monitors and analysers for industrial infrared non-contact temperature measurement, has launched the MWIR-B-640 mid-wavelength borescope for furnace applications. Users of the MWIR-B-640 can take, store and trend accurate and radiometric temperature measurement image data over the lifetime of the furnace, providing a continuous and clear view, even through heavy smoke and hot atmospheres.

Applications for the device include hydrocarbon processing reformers; heat treatment; reheat, cement kiln and annealing furnaces; biomass, waste and coal boilers; and incinerators. The new borescope features spectral filtering and a high thermal and spatial resolution to deliver clear live images of the furnace, boiler and stock, with more than 300,000 accurate point temperatures measuring in the range of 300-1200°C and 500-1800°C.

Notably, the high-resolution image of the MWIR-B-640, combined with a 90° wide-angle field of view, allows the imaging and measuring of multiple areas simultaneously. With a wide-angle view into the furnace, users can see the image data in real-time from the safety of the control room. With only a small opening in the wall, the MWIR-B-640 can accurately profile the temperature of the entire furnace without affecting the furnace atmosphere, stock temperature or energy consumption.

“The MWIR-B-640 is an invaluable tool that will prolong furnace and boiler lifetime, optimise production throughput, reduce energy consumption and improve stock temperatures,” says David Primhak, director of development and product management for Ametek Land. “It has a range of innovative features that ensure it is user-friendly, extremely accurate, and offers a high level of asset protection.”

For further information
www.ametek-land.com

LK Metrology has expanded its Freedom arm range of 3D articulating-arm metrology systems, or portable measuring arms, with the launch of five ultra-accuracy models in both six-axis and seven-axis variants. The 10 new arms bring the total number of different varieties available from LK to 34.

Called Freedom Ultimate and Freedom Ultimate Scan, the new arms are available with measurement volumes from 2.5 to 4.5 m. Each model complements the comparable size of existing Freedom Classic and higher accuracy Freedom Select products with six axes designed for touch probing, as well as the seven-axis Scan equivalents for multi-sensor metrology, including laser scanning.

The ultra-accuracy arms, which come with a calibration sphere and verification bar carrying ISO 17025 certification, offer increased precision in applications from quality control and on-machine verification, through to reverse engineering, virtual assembly design and 3D modelling. Up to 8% more measuring accuracy is available than the next most precise product range, Select, while compared with the entry-level Classic arms the improvement is up to 43%.

By introducing the extra degree of freedom in all Scan models, Nikon Metrology is providing infinite movement to enable scanning with the company’s ModelMaker H120 laser scanner. All arms are available with a variety of probe kits, styli, mounting rings (including some with a magnetic or vacuum base), tripods, rolling stands and carts with laptop arm.

Carbon-fibre tubular construction ensures stability under challenging operational conditions, while a proprietary counter balance makes manual movements light, promoting ease-of-use even when trying to access awkward areas. Optional Wi-Fi connectivity and battery power allow completely portable wireless measurement.

For further information
www.lkmetrology.com