Research findings described in a new article by University of Huddersfield scientists will enable engineering firms to make major gains in productivity and efficiency by reducing the often considerable time lag between the manufacture of components and checking their precision on a CMM.

To ensure complete accuracy, CMMs are housed in a strictly temperature-controlled environment. However, manufacturing processes often lead to big increases or decreases in the temperature of components. Until they are stabilised, they cannot be checked.
‘Temperature soaking’ is the term for this scenario, and a play-safe attitude means that larger components can be set aside for as long as 24 hours, causing a log jam in production, with costly CMMs standing idle.
At the University of Huddersfield’s School of Computing and Engineering, however, a research project headed by Dr Naeem Mian has comprised a series of experiments that provide engineering firms with a technique for calculating how long it takes for a component’s temperature to be stabilised so that it can safely be measured on a CMM.
It has been found that the waiting times can be considerably lower that generally thought – potentially a reduction of many hours. For example, Mian and his team carried out various experiments with a heated venturi – a component used in the oil and gas industry – and discovered that the time required for temperature soaking, so that it could be placed on a CMM, was as low as 7.6 minutes.
Findings from the range of experiments, including the mathematical formulae that will aid manufacturers seeking to calculate temperature soaking periods, are given in the new article, which is titled ‘Reducing the latency between machining and measurement using FEA to predict thermal transient effects on CMM measurement’.
For further information https://is.gd/xetazi

Rather than acquiring manufacturing plant on a piecemeal basis, the practice of companies purchasing and using machine tools of various categories from single, preferred vendors is now firmly established.

A case in point can be seen at Glenrothes-based A&D Precision Engineering. Engineering quality manager Harry Fernando explains: “In addition to reaping the benefits of favouring the products of certain manufacturers in each of the machine-tool categories we use, we have extended this way of working across all of our quality and inspection endeavours. As we consider that a component is not made until it is inspected, it makes sense that we treat quality and inspection as integral parts of our production processes.
“In the company’s early days we used metrology equipment from several sources,” he continues. “However, the reliability, accuracy and repeatability of our first Mitutoyo products and the excellent service we received from the company, meant that as the company grew, and our older metrology equipment needed to be replaced, we invariably invested in further Mitutoyo products. This has resulted in our measuring system inventory now consisting of 99% Mitutoyo equipment.
“We now use examples of Mitutoyo technology in all of our measurement and testing areas, from digital hand tools, through height gauges, vision equipment and surface roughness testing, to quality department and shop floor-based CMMs.”
Just as A&D Precision Engineering uses premium quality machine tools that deliver high levels of accuracy and productivity, the company’s management expect the same levels of precision and efficiency from its inspection equipment. These critical requirements are reflected in the company’s latest Mitutoyo acquisition, a Crysta-Apex S CNC CMM.
“Following a trouble-free installation, the Crysta-Apex S is now delivering the promised levels of speed and accuracy,” concludes Fernando.
For further information www.mitutoyo.co.uk

OGP UK and Verus Metrology Partners have shaken hands on a formal partnership designed to help customers improve their production processes.

The deal will see all bespoke jigs and fixtures for OGP UK supplied by Verus Metrology Partners, alongside an agreement for OGP UK to supply V-FIX – the modular metrology fixture product from Verus – for non-bespoke fixture solutions.
Following the inception of Verus in 2008, the company’s relationship with OGP UK has been critical to its success in establishing a global customer base. From its headquarters in Sligo, Ireland, and a laboratory in Nottingham, the business designs and manufactures metrology fixtures and performs subcontract measurement for clients in medical device manufacture, the consumer goods industries, and the aerospace and automotive sectors.
Verus owns and operates 13 OGP SmartScope machines from the CNC and ZIP ranges, using them to provide customers with metrology fixture and programme packages, and helping to accelerate new product introductions.
UK operations director for Verus, Jon Banner, says: “We’ve used OGP from day one and the majority of our key clients also have OGPs. The optics, I believe, are best-in-class. With optical measurement, if you can see something, you can measure it. We often find that the accuracy can comfortably be sub-micron, and we rely on the machines to measure with repeat accuracy every day.
“We’re delighted that we’ve signed a partnership agreement with OGP UK for the supply of V-FIX,” he continues. “V-FIX was designed predominantly around OGP SmartScope capabilities; it allows light through so that the optics are easy to use. It also holds the parts firmly so you can actually use touch probes as well, making it a full multi-sensor metrology kit.”
For further information www.ogpuk.com

The demonstration room at the Burton-on-Trent headquarters of Blum Novotest UK has been upgraded to feature all of the company’s technology, including the recently launched Digilog family.

A Bridgeport GX710 vertical machining centre, fitted with Fanuc 0i control, is now available for existing and potential clients to see real-time demonstrations of in-machine measurement.
“Initially, the purpose of the machine was for the development of our UK engineers, so they could quickly get up to speed with the products and software being introduced,” explains Nathan Baulk, engineering manager. “This means, when we interact with customers, we know exactly how the Blum technology can help their business, and support fast installation, servicing and maintenance.
“We quickly realised, however, that we could use the facilities to let manufacturers see the performance of the products first-hand, before they invest,” he continues. “This has proven very popular, and we’ve even had clients bringing their own parts along so they can witness the improvements in speed and accuracy on an actual production component. The confidence this gives them to make the investment is huge.”
Blum-Novotest is commencing an ambitious roll-out of newly developed technology and products this year, and has strengthened its team with the appointment of a dedicated technical sales engineer. Paul Hodgkinson brings with him an extensive network of contacts and more than 11 years’ experience working in the industrial automation and machine tool sectors. He will be responsible for working with the sales team to better understand the requirements of subcontractors and the support they require to make the most of Blum’s in-machine measuring technology.
For further information www.blum-novotest.com

The 6DoF vProbe, a hand-held tactile probing system, has been released by API for use with its portable Radian Pro and Plus laser tracker range.

The probe extends the dimensional measurement capabilities of the laser trackers to perform part inspections conventionally undertaken by fixed CMMs. Availability is via UK reseller OR3D Ltd.
API vProbe, which is wirelessly operated, allows the measurement of intricate part features, including those beyond the tracker’s line-of-site, providing fast and accurate manual part inspections. The device, combined with a laser tracker, can deliver more measurement versatility than a portable-arm CMM, while being more accurate and better suited to larger parts, says API. The portability of the API Radian Plus laser tracker with vProbe allows measurements to be made directly on the shop floor and, in many cases, when a large part is still in situ on large machine tools.
vProbe with easy-hold grip turns a laser tracker into a portable CMM with its integrated, repeatable, quick-change ruby styli, while offering tactile scanning featuring instant part alignment correlation feedback. The probe offers a six-hour battery life, LED indicator and dual styli mount with toggle switch that can carry stylus extensions of up to 500 mm.
For further information https://apisensor.com/