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/

A specialist in precision positioning devices for high-accuracy rotary and angular inspection systems, RPI UK, will be launching the QuadProfile at Control 2019 in Stuttgart (7-10 May). On stand 7180, the company will also be previewing its RotoScan system.

RPI’s sales manager Jim Palmer says: “QuadProfile delivers newly developed capability to the CMM market as the smallest and most accurate rotary table for turbine blade inspection. We will also be demonstrating our prototype RotoScan, which is a robotic system that automates circular geometry in the same way that it has previously been achieved for non-contact metrology.”
According to RPI, the company has more than 750 successful CMM rotary table installations worldwide. Quadrant range rotary tables provide an additional axis for any high-precision CMM inspecting parts such as gas turbine discs and fan blades. Not only does this simplify the measurement procedure, it helps to deliver fast and accurate indexing, as well as increase the CMM’s application range and effective measuring volume.
The latest addition to the Quadrant range, QuadProfile, is said to enable the ultimate in low-profile and compact rotary table design for the
CMM market.
Also on the stand, RotoScan has been designed to automate the inspection of heavy-duty circular components with large diameters, such as bearings, aerospace castings and rotors. The system uses a robot to automate the inspection capability of components using traditional contact metrology techniques. RotoScan has been developed with AccuScan software and complements other assembly platforms such as iMAP and GeoSpin.
In addition to these developments, RPI will be demonstrating its LabStandard range, which offer sub arc second angular accuracy and precision geometry for inspection and calibration laboratories, with the versatility of both single and dual-axis configuration.
For further information www.rpiuk.com

Manufactured in the UK by LK Metrology, the latest Altera range of CMMs has been coupled with Renishaw’s REVO-2 scanning system and multi-sensor technology to offer manufacturers a five-axis solution for inspecting the dimensional accuracy and surface finish of components.

A notable design feature of the newly developed SCANtek 5 package is the ceramic construction of the CMM beam and spindle, which combines optimal stiffness-to-weight ratio for responsiveness with mechanical and thermal stability.
The SCANtek 5 multi-sensor package includes Renishaw’s MODUS software for importing data, controlling the CMM, acquiring results and reporting – including GD&T labelling. High scanning speeds boost measurement throughput, shorten production lead-times, provide awareness of product conformance, and prevent the metrology department from becoming a bottleneck.
LK’s SCANtek 5 is available in a variety of standard measuring volumes from 800 x 700 x 600 mm (8.7.6) to 6000 x 2000 x 1000 mm (60.20.10), with larger options. The Alteram models with repeatability from 1.5 µm are being marketed alongside an Altera SL range offering repeatability from 0.7 µm. LK says it is so sure of the long-term performance of these premium machines that it is the only CMM manufacturer to offer a 10-year accuracy guarantee.
Ready for operation immediately it arrives in the inspection room or on the shop floor, the five-axis CMM gives users a competitive advantage, making it easier to win new work and speed product development. A three-axis measuring solution, by contrast, is often unable to measure some complex features.
Scanning at up to 500 mm/s, without the stylus leaving the surface of the component, allows the co-ordinates of up to 4000 points to be captured ‘on-the-fly’ every second, a rate of data acquisition far higher than is possible using conventional probing techniques.
For further information www.lkmetrology.com

The positive news continues to come out of Hertfordshire-based Plastic Turned Parts, with the company making further investment in its processes to ensure smooth workflow as demand increases for its expertise as one of the UK’s foremost exponents of machining plastic workpieces.

As sales continue to increase for Plastic Turned Parts, the need to drive efficiency becomes ever more important. While recent investment in machine tool technology has boosted machining capacity, focus then turned to quality and improving throughput in the inspection department. The result was the decision to purchase a Keyence IM 7020 image dimension measuring system, which will help to improve workflow through the quality control department with its ability to accurately measure width, radius and height dimensions on a range of components quickly, and with minimal manual intervention. The system also automatically records and stores all measurement data as soon as the part is measured. Traceability and efficiency is maintained as inspection reports can be created with a simple push of a button on the system’s interface.
This optical comparator system allows up to 99 dimensions to be measured on up to 99 parts, all within a matter of seconds, and to sub-micron accuracy.
“The system is incredibly easy to use; it’s almost plug and play,” says Jonathan Newis, managing director at Plastic Turned Parts. “We can program it for volume components that are likely to repeat or, it is just as straightforward and versatile when measuring individual parts.”
For further information www.plasticturnedparts.co.uk

Martin Haynes, quality and technical director at Wednesbury-based AluCast, an aluminium foundry, recently began a search for an accurate yet speedy metrology solution that would keep pace with increased production volumes.

Recently tasked with casting a range of urgently required prototype parts for an important customer, AluCast completed all of the relevant casting processes in record time. Having been told that the parts were now ready except for the required dimensional inspection process, which would take another day, the customer suggested it would visit AluCast’s facility and perform on-site inspection with its own Faro ScanArm.
Impressed by the speed of set-up and the Faro ScanArm’s ability to quickly scan each of the components and gather all of the required data, Haynes was convinced that it was the answer to AluCast’s dimensional inspection needs.
“As well as being impressed by the dimensional accuracy achieved and the clear presentation of the captured data, we were astonished at the equipment’s speed of operation,” he says. “In fact, we estimated that the inspection results our customer achieved in just one hour, would have taken us over eight hours with our existing equipment. In addition to the performance of the ScanArm, we received excellent reports from our customer related to the levels of support and service they receive from Faro UK.
Following a demonstration, AluCast duly invested in a Faro ScanArm HD.
“Our ScanArm HD has delivered on all of the promises made by the staff at Faro UK in terms of simplicity, accuracy and speed of use,” says Haynes. “As well as the inspection processes for which we purchased the Faro ScanArm, each day we are finding new uses for it.”
For further information www.faro.com