In an era where skilled workers are becoming increasingly scarce, automation is the key to maintaining productivity and efficiency. Meet the SmartMeasure-AL, an advanced automated measurement system designed to operate seamlessly on Mitutoyo measuring machines. According to Mitutoyo, the system transforms industrial measurement processes by delivering precision, reliability and full automation.

SmartMeasure-AL offers high productivity by enabling continuous, fully automated measurement cycles. The system can run autonomously 24/7, enabling consistent output without human intervention. This capability not only increases efficiency but also minimises downtime, allowing factories to maintain high output levels even during labour shortages.

Measurement results are sent directly to CNC machines, allowing for real-time tool correction and enhanced operational efficiency. With support for multiple pallets, the SmartMeasure AL streamlines workflows, enhances throughput and boosts overall factory productivity, reports the company.

Unlike traditional measurement set-ups where variations in human operation can lead to inconsistencies, the SmartMeasure-AL ensures uniform performance. Configuring the system once allows it to perform repeated measurements in the exact same way, reducing errors and ensuring reliable results.

By eliminating the variability associated with manual measurements, manufacturers can achieve greater consistency and meet strict quality standards. Additionally, the system’s intuitive software allows operators to easily re-measure rejected parts without having to repeat entire sequences, saving time, minimising material waste and improving production efficiency.

The user-friendly Space4win software and graphical user interface enable operators, even those without prior experience, to run the system effortlessly. The integration of RFID technology ensures automatic part program selection, reducing set-up times and streamlining operations. Seamless connectivity allows measurement results to be sent to statistical software or external systems for further analysis, improving decision-making and quality control.

More information www.mitutoyo.eu

Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division has launched its Autonomous Metrology Suite, software developed on the company’s cloud-based Nexus platform, which is designed to transform quality control. By removing all coding from CMM workflows, Autonomous Metrology Suite helps manufacturers accelerate critical R&D and manufacturing processes as experienced metrologists become harder to find.

Manufacturers across automotive, aerospace and general engineering report the same pressures: shorter product lifecycles and frequent design revisions have increased the need for high-accuracy measurement, but there are fewer skilled CMM programmers and quality data is scattered and underutilised. These issues slow new-part introduction and make it difficult to repeat good results shift after shift.

Hexagon’s Autonomous Metrology Suite tackles the problem head-on. A digital twin of every connected CMM synchronises with its physical counterpart, so the correct inspection program always reaches the right machine, helping to eliminate possible human error. All quality, utilisation and environmental information flows straight to a cloud dashboard, creating a continuous digital thread supporting data-driven decisions on the shop floor.

All applications in the suite share a consistent modern and intuitive web interface that guides both new and expert users through the process, helping to democratise the creation of CMM programs and reduce the level of skills required to interact with the solution. Depending on complexity, programming could be reduced from days to hours, following which the program deployment to one or more CMMs, execution and reporting can be fully automated from a single interface.

These efficiency gains are driven by a set of tightly integrated applications built on Hexagon’s Nexus platform, automating and streamlining the entire metrology workflow.

More information www.hexagon.com