To make sure that Exeter-based Rotamic Engineering’s inspection provision was able to keep pace with its recent rise in production levels, the company invested in a Crysta Apex S574 CNC CMM from Mitutoyo, which offers a working range of 500 x 700 x 400 mm.

Kai Kidson, Rotamic quality engineer, says: “When compared with other CMMs, we considered that the accuracy and repeatability of the Mitutoyo CNC CMM would provide the capability to inspect components with challenging dimensional specifications. Also, not only would the speed and efficiency of the machine be able to keep pace with our current levels of manufacturing, we believe it will cope with all foreseeable rises in production.
“In addition to inspecting single parts, we are now able to place a large batch of components on to the CMM’s granite bed, recall a pre-written program and perform a mass inspection routine in fast, fully automatic CNC mode. We are then able to generate detailed inspection reports that can be archived for our traceable records.”
Over the past 40 years, Rotamic Engineering has established a reputation for the manufacture of precision machined components. In addition to serving the defence, Formula One and medical industries, Rotamic has been a supplier to the aerospace sector for more than 20 years. This challenging field currently constitutes the company’s largest market. To meet the requirements of its aerospace clients, the ISO9001 accredited business obtained AS9100 in 2006.
In addition to ensuring that all materials are traceable and sourced from approved suppliers, in-process quality checks are made by the company’s machine operators throughout each manufacturing stage. Lastly, before component dispatch, in-depth final inspection routines are carried out.
For further information www.mitutoyo.co.uk

An optical measuring machine – the ATOS 5 for Airfoil – has been unveiled by GOM that is particularly suited to small parts and complex freeform surfaces. The sensor is designed for the inspection of aerofoil components like turbine blades, nozzle guide vanes or blisks in the aerospace and power-generation industries.
GOM’s ATOS 5 for Airfoil expands the ATOS 5 series in the measuring area for small parts. This machine adds to the existing all-rounder ATOS 5, which performs a range of tasks in measuring areas from 170 to 1000 mm in length, and the ATOS 5X, which is effective when used for large surfaces and parts due to its strong, focused light. The ATOS 5X demonstrates its applicability in sector’s such as automotive, where even entire car bodies can be digitised quickly.
Following the launch of a 3D measuring machine for small parts with a size of 100 x 70 sq mm to 400 x 300 sq mm, GOM closes the gap in the lower measuring area. At the same time, the ATOS 5 for Airfoil is particularly suited to the inspection of turbine components produced for the aerospace industry, like blades, blisks and air-conducting structures. The complex edges and surfaces on such parts have been a challenge during 3D digitisation, until now. The ATOS 5 for Airfoil sensor is also said to excel during the maintenance and repair of nozzle guide vanes. The costs associated with the MRO sector are large – replacing turbine blades can exceed €10,000. Using ATOS technology, partnered with techniques such as additive manufacture and adaptive machining, can lead to considerable savings.
For further information www.gom.com

To enable the efficient completion of a challenging project in a nuclear plant, UK engineering and steel service provider, Coatbridge-based Watson Towers, recently purchased a 3.5 m capacity version of Faro’s QuantumE ScanArm, fitted with a FaroBlu laser line probe SD and supported by the company’s CAM2 metrology software.

The tasks in question were to accurately reverse engineer large fabricated parts located inside the nuclear plant, then to produce new parts that were precise duplicates of the originals, and finally to fit the newly manufactured components.
Watson Towers’ general manager Iain Hussey says: “Having won a major contract from a client involved in the nuclear industry, we needed to invest in an advanced laser scanning system that would allow us to perform in-depth, non-contact scans of the large elements which needed to be reverse engineered. The captured point clouds could then be used to create the CAD models required for the duplicate fabrications.
“When compared with the alternatives, we concluded that the QuantumE ScanArm provided an accurate, reliable and comprehensive solution for our requirements,” he adds. “We were particularly impressed by the system’s high-speed point cloud capture and resolution.
We also realised that, not only would the QuantumE be perfect for the precise scanning of components at the nuclear power site, the device would also prove useful for many of our other on-site and off-site scanning and measuring tasks.
“For instance, by employing the QuantumE ScanArm on our new Ficep Gemini thermal-cutting machine (pictured), we are able to ensure its consistently high productivity and the quality of its work.”
For further information www.faro.com

Japanese measuring specialist Keyence has supplied Pressure Tech, a UK manufacturer of stainless-steel pressure regulators for use in gas and liquid applications, with an IM-7000 image dimension measurement system.

From a technical point of view, a critical element of any Pressure Tech product is its ability to create a seal between two surfaces. Variance in the angle of a sealing part can be the difference between the part creating a seal or not.
“We previously relied on a CNC program and basic methodology to address this requirement,” says Keith O’Pray, operations and system manager at Pressure Tech. “However, as we’re always looking to enhance our internal processes, we were keen to source the latest measuring equipment to take this aspect of our production to the next level.”
After careful consideration, the IM-7000 was acquired. The device was selected because of its range of specialist measurement tools, its built-in dimensional reporting feature and its speed of measurement, an essential feature on batch runs with low cycle times.
Importantly, the new image measurement system allows Pressure Tech personnel to closely monitor the angle of all the external sealing surfaces manufactured, measuring to within 0.01°. The results, according to O´Pray, speak for themselves: since acquiring this system “we’ve consequently been able to ensure repeatability of the machining process and the quality of the components produced”.
New programs take just minutes to create and a full dimensional report for a part can be generated at the click of a button.
“This means we are seeing benefits not only in the improvement and consistency of the components produced, but also in the speed of measurement; given the complexity of some parts, this is imperative when working to tight deadlines,” says O’Pray.
For further information www.keyence.co.uk

Firms will soon have access to technology that enables them to carry out the ultra-precise and ultra-fast measurements which will deliver the automation that is increasingly vital for manufacturing growth.

Now, a University of Huddersfield scientist who played a key role in the breakthrough has been awarded an Enterprise Fellowship by the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE).
Dr Hussam Muhamedsalih is a senior research fellow at the University’s EPSRC Future Metrology Hub. He and his colleagues have developed and patented a new optical interferometry system that can carry out accurate measurement in fractions of a second.
For example, the roll-to-roll process – crucial to meet the demand for devices such as smartphones and printable sensors – often has to go offline for vital accuracy checks. The University of Huddersfield technology will mean this is no longer necessary, leading to big efficiency gains and cost savings.
Dr Muhamedsalih’s Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Fellowship will help him to demonstrate the full potential of the device and to commercialise it. The fellowship provides funding of up to £60,000 over a year, mentoring and help with PR and promotion, plus lifetime membership of the RAE Enterprise Hub, paving the way for a spin-out a company from the university.
Earning the award was challenging. There is immense competition for fellowships and, after he had made the final shortlist, Dr Muhamedsalih was summoned to London for a tough session with five interviewers. He was delighted to receive a fellowship at the end of the process and, when the 12 months have elapsed, he will attend the Enterprise Hub’s 2020 showcase event.
For further information http://fmh.hud.ac.uk/