FEATURE ON METROLOGY

World-first in composites stress testing

StressMap, a specialist in residual stress metrology using the contour method, has invested in two new capabilities to help customers prolong the life and control distortions of critical mechanical components in the aerospace, motorsport and defence industries.

In its quest to making cutting-edge residual stress engineering technology available to industry, StressMap has designed, built and commissioned a new wire cutting machine that facilitates contour method measurements in polymers, ceramics and composites. Before this machine, it was only possible to measure electrically conductive materials (mainly metals), since the only cutting technique available was wire EDM.

StressMap’s invention is the fruit of a year’s worth of research and is the only machine in the world that can cut these non-conductive materials with the required quality. Specialist researchers presented and scrutinised the first results obtained in a PEEK pipe at a conference in the spring, with further structures currently undergoing tests.

Another new capability for StressMap is a laser peening machine, which will see collaborative use with a Formula 1 team as it looks to test engine components. This technique induces beneficial residual stress at the surface of key components, preventing cracking and prolonging their life.

Over the past decade, StressMap has delivered over 150 projects for 80 customers across the world. Applications of the company’s residual stress measurement expertise vary widely, and include: additive manufactured titanium components; nickel superalloys for turbine discs; and cobalt-chrome alloys for bio-medical use.

StressMap has also developed strain scanning simulation software in conjunction with STFC in Harwell Oxfordshire to improve the quality of neutron diffraction measurements by maximising accuracy in strain measurements and providing a high level of positional accuracy and repeatability.

For further information www.stressmap.co.uk

Rainford offers complete tool investigations

A UK specialist in micro-machining solutions, Rainford Precision, has invested in a Keyence digital microscope to provide a complete tool investigation and consultancy service for customers in the UK and Ireland.

The company’s managing director Miles Evans says: “When you are servicing customers with tools below 0.2 mm in diameter, diagnosing and optimising tool life and performance is a challenge. The Keyence system will enable us to provide a unique service to our customers within the cutting tool marketplace.”

With a magnification range from 100 to 1000, Rainford’s experts can analyse standard and micro-tools then investigate and resolve the barriers to optimum performance.

Cutting tools smaller than 0.5 mm in diameter can naturally pose issues when investigating performance and tool life issues. With the Keyence VHX-970FN, Rainford can provide an aftersales service aimed at delivering improved tool life, machining performance, productivity and consistency.

By investigating the wear characteristics of customer tools and armed with the cutting data, the company can diagnose issues from a multitude of factors. For example, if the cutting speeds, feeds and machining parameters are impacting performance, Rainford will be able to diagnose this from investigations with the Keyence microscope. Likewise, concentricity, tool holding and the associated concerns of rigidity, balance and stability could also be diagnosed and potentially rectified through Rainford’s service and product portfolio.

For existing customers, the service will provide a comprehensive feedback loop with full reporting and recommendations to maximise the machining performance of tools purchased through Rainford. Additionally, all potential customers who may be experiencing issues with their current cutting tools, whoever the manufacturer, and want investigate potential solutions, will be able to send their tools to Rainford’s experts.

For further information www.rainfordprecision.com

Machine Vision Conference reached 8th edition 

Machine Vision Conference 2024 is shaping up to be another successful event. Now in its 8th year, the Machine Vision Conference (MVC) takes place at the CBS Arena in Coventry on 18-19 June, featuring a range of state-of-the-art solutions from leading companies. The core purpose of MVC is to promote the use of image processing technology, educate visitors about innovative new processes and assist businesses in finding new technologies that can help them to improve processes and reduce operating costs.

This annual event is content-packed with networking opportunities, live demonstrations and knowledge-sharing, making it suitable for existing machine vision users and engineers, as well as educating those new to machine vision technology.

MVC 2024 will be one of the best two-day conference and exhibition yet, with visitors expected to immerse themselves in the latest developments and innovations. In addition, the seminar programme, featuring some of the industry’s most knowledgeable experts, will make it hard for visitors to decide which thought-provoking presentations to attend.

The conference has a reputation for attracting an array of businesses, the top five visitor company types in 2023 were OEM, vision solutions provider, end user, machine vision manufacturer and distributor, and academic. Last year, some of the visitors included: Airbus, BMW, Jaguar Land Rover, Mercedes AMG F1, Mitsubishi Electric, Nissan, Panasonic, Rolls-Royce, Siemens, Sony andTata Technologies.

MVC is once again co-located alongside Automation UK, organised by the British Automation and Robot Association (BARA), providing visitors to MVC 2024 the added benefit of being to discover the latest in automation and robotics, all under one roof.

For further information www.machinevisionconference.co.uk

Ford Aerospace accelerates inspection with Keyence




Ford Aerospace, a global specialist in pressed and high-precision machined parts for a multitude of industries, is leveraging the benefits of a new Keyence IM-8000 instant measuring system.The speed of the IM-8000 is already generating significant savings in inspection time, while simultaneously extending the company’s measurement function to machine operators thanks to inherent system simplicity.

“Our investment decision was based mainly on capacity,” explains Nathan McCully, the company’s quality, health, safety and environmental manager. “We wanted an inspection system that would allow us to increase our speed of measurement for simpler components, while at the same time providing more measurement accessibility to the shop floor. We were using a video inspection system previously but it was cumbersome, slow and complex to program.”

On a day-to-day basis, Ford Aerospace manufactures pressed and machined parts in accordance with the specific requirements of its customers. Although many components are complex in nature, a proportion are very simple. It was here that the company spotted an opportunity to make gains.

“Although the IM-8000 has 3D capability, it was the potential to quickly measure 2D shapes, such as shims, washers and other pressed parts that really stood out,” says McCully. “For components like this we typically perform sample inspection in quantities of 50-100. We would previously have to measure them individually and record the dimensions. However, with the IM-8000 we can measure all the parts simultaneously in seconds simply by pressing one button.”

The IM-8000 can perform measurement on up to 300 part features in a matter of seconds. With its simple place-and-press operation there is no time-consuming positioning or datum set-up required, while the machine automatically identifies measurement points to ensure consistency and repeatability.
For further information www.keyence.co.uk

Truly portable 3D scanner for large parts




Creaform is introducing the latest addition to its flagship HandySCAN 3D line-up, the MAX series. The handheld MAX series of industrial 3D scanners offers a 3D scanning area of approximately 1 x 1m and acquires accurate 3D measurements of any large and complex surfaces, reports the company.

Featuring a multiple scanning mode that allows users to choose either the fastest scanning time or maximum resolution, the new portable 3D scanners offer a level of versatility that will enable professionals to measure any large parts and assemblies up to 15 m. Combining the effect of speed, extra-large measuring volume, accuracy, portability and simplicity, the scanners allow for an easy, efficient and robust measurement process of parts typically present in the aerospace, transportation, energy, mining and heavy industries, among others.

Thanks to its volumetric accuracy of 0.1 mm + 0.015 mm/m, ISO 17025 accreditation and compliance with the VDI/VDE 2634 part 3 standard, the MAX series provides metrology-grade results, making it suitable for quality control and demanding reverse engineering of large parts. Additionally, the latest scanners still feature Creaform’s dynamic referencing algorithms, allowing for accurate and rigorous 3D scans of any object, whether in the lab, on the shop floor or in the field.

The system is plug-and-play and quick to set up. It is possible to integrate 3D scans into any CAD softwareeasily and seamlessly, accelerating and simplifying product development, 3D inspection and reverse engineering processes of large parts and assemblies.

“Measuring large and complex 3D surfaces with a handheld device was previously very challenging or, in certain cases, impossible,” says product manager Simon Côté. “The unique capability of the MAX series closes the gap and provides innovative dimensional measurement solutions.”
For further information www.creaform3d.com