INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Lighting factory uses CT for quality control

Heavy-duty industrial lighting manufacturer Nordic Lights is using computed tomography (CT) to avoid the expense of destructive testing and eliminate critical measurement errors caused by powder spraying for part preparation.

To supersede the company’s previous white light system, a new measurement solution was required capable of dealing efficiently with a variety of materials as well as both internal and external feature inspection. The Nordic Lights team consulted various suppliers to determine the best solution. A Nikon CT machine, XT H 225 ST, with dual reflection and transmission targets, has since been installed to inspect and approve components before assembly.
The primary purpose of the CT system is to validate samples from suppliers, as well as new parts and modified components from new moulds. A secondary purpose is troubleshooting. During the test phase, if there are any failures, complete assemblies can be scanned to identify the cause without having to open or destroy the product. The system has, for example, been used to search for air pockets or voids in the silicone glue between the aluminium housing and the lens of a light that has suffered water leakage. This would not have been possible with the white light system.
Test engineer Carl-Anton Manns, who took part in the search for a new inspection system, says: “The instrument needed to be able to analyse smooth reflective surfaces with high precision, which the XT H 225 ST does with repeatable accuracy. Being a non-destructive process was also a big plus point.”
For further information www.nikonmetrology.com

Okuma wins Good Factory Award

CNC machine tool manufacturer Okuma, which is represented in the UK by NCMT, has won the Good Factory Award issued by the Japan Management Association for Dream Site 2.

The facility incorporates state-of-the-art innovations developed by the company’s machining experts to achieve high-mix, low-volume manufacturing at productivity levels on par with those of mass production. The site was praised for its comprehensive and coherent use of digitalisation, its high degree of automation, and its ability to continuously optimise processes through real-time data processing.
For further information www.okuma.eu

New flagship range of measuring arms

Eight years after the launch of the first Romer Absolute Arm, Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division has unveiled the latest Absolute Arm range, complete with a ground-up redesign.

A standout feature of the new Absolute Arm is its modular wrist design that allows both the RS5 laser scanner and pistol grip to be completely removed, facilitating easy probing in tight spaces. When reattached for laser scanning applications, a variety of grip sizes are available to ensure the best fit for every user. The newly developed wrist also features a display screen that allows for measurement result oversight, profile switching and calibration right at the point of measurement, reducing time spent switching attention between the arm and its control computer.
“Over the past eight years we’ve received a lot of positive and constructive customer feedback, and hopefully people will see how this has informed our design,” says Anthony Vianna, product manager for the Absolute Arm range. “Many customers told us they needed to measure in smaller and smaller spaces, like cavities or inside complex fixtures, and it was that sort of direct-from-the-user intelligence that drove us to create the most compact scanning configuration on the market today.”
The new Absolute Arm models are also available in a six-axis version designed for dedicated probing applications. Within this category is the new Absolute Arm Compact, with accuracy now to within just 6 µm. The full Absolute Arm range is available across seven sizes, with measurement radii from 1.2 to 4.5 m, and three levels of accuracy, resulting in 36 unique arm configurations.
For further information www.hexagonmi.com

Getting the most out of machines

AMB 2018 in Stuttgart will once again become the hub of European metalworking this week (18-22 September) and Open Mind Technologies will present the latest version of its HyperMill CADCAM suite at Stand 2B20. The company’s presence at the trade fair will focus on the HyperMill Maxx Machining performance package.

HyperMill Maxx Machining incorporates novel methods for roughing, finishing and drilling. Open Mind has also been instrumental in developing the cutting tool for this five-axis tangent plane machining strategy. The conical barrel cutter has a large radius that enables correspondingly wide distances between tool paths. With regards to roughing, Open Mind will present its five-axis trochoidal strategy, which offers a tool-friendly way of quickly milling curved surfaces.
At AMB, Open Mind will also provide some sneak peeks at pending expansions to its performance package. For instance, in the future, HyperMill Maxx Machining will be available for 3D-optimised roughing as well as for turning. Meanwhile, five-axis tangent machining is available for corner filleting, a function that guarantees simple radius programming at surface boundaries.
The highly developed HyperMill simulation functions will make a special experience possible at Open Mind‘s AMB stand; visitors will be able to delve into the machining area through a 3D machine simulation on the stand‘s virtual reality station. Those visiting the stand will be able to view the clamps, holders, tools, tool paths and even view simulations from any desired perspective. They will be able to observe complex processes via virtual machining, while hidden processes will be made visible, and it will be easier to detect collision risks.
For further information www.openmind-tech.com

Latest linear motor unveiled by Anca Motion

At IMTS in Chicago last week, Anca Motion launched its LinX M-Series linear motor automation solution for OEMs. The LinX M is housed in a slim body, and is said to be a highly energy-efficient solution for precision CNC applications or high-speed automation systems.

Anca Motion also revealed its Single Cable Motion System that adopts Hiperface DSL protocol technology by using a single cable to simplify machine integration, reduce waste and offer improved diagnostics.
Naveen Nadesan, Anca Motion marketing manager, says: “There is a clear trend for companies to use energy in a more efficient manner. Replacing a pneumatic cylinder with a tubular linear motor reduces energy costs, achieving a relatively short payback period of six to 12 months. The LinX M-Series linear motor therefore provides a unique benefit to OEMs seeking higher performance, accuracy and reliability in their machines.”
At the show, two LinX motors were displayed in a V-structure parallel robot (V-Bot) arrangement showcasing: a high-speed pick and place application; and high-precision contouring around various shapes. The LinX M-Series is fully compatible with standard pneumatics accessories, such as mounting plates, linear guides and couplings.
“Anca Motion offers a wide range of control systems and has more recently been working largely with laser cutting businesses, providing a complete motor solution for its machines,” says Nadesan. “At the stand we had interactive display panels and videos of laser and cylindrical grinding applications to demonstrate the breadth of our technology.”
The LinX M-series V-Bot demo unit will also make an appearance at the MWCS exhibition in Shanghai this week.
For further information www.ancamotion.com