UK NEWS

Greater vision with Venture XT

The Bowers Group has made available the latest Baty Venture XT vision system, which is said to include major advances in capability and software for both contact and non-contact measurement. Features include an extended 200 mm measuring range in the Z axis and a new FEA-optimised column design with integral counterbalance. The Z axis and lens/touch probe assembly have also been revised, while faster XY-axis drives, touch-screen compatible software, touch-screen joystick, greater field of view, and magnification up to 12 x zoom are among further enhancements.

Of particular note is a major redesign of the software, providing users with a self-calibrating zoom lens featuring field-of-view error correction and improved auto-focus that can now find and measure from a distance in one move. Furthermore, image-stitching capability allows a large XY area to be scanned and displayed as a single image, while a ‘layers feature’ allows other geographical information such as DXF files, dimensions and measured features to be overlaid on the camera image and reported.
Geoff Jackson, business and product development director at Baty says: “We are delighted to announce the release of the new Venture XT; a sophisticated vision system that paves the way for high-accuracy contact and non-contact measurement. We have received excellent feedback on the Venture XT since unveiling the system at the Control Exhibition in Stuttgart earlier this year, particularly regarding the new field-of-view tools, which have reduced program execution times. We are very excited to launch the product here in the UK.”
For further information www.bowersgroup.co.uk

Mitutoyo aids Cox Powertrain’s quality function

Shoreham-on-sea based Cox Powertrain has recently developed the world’s first 300 hp marine diesel outboard engine – the CXO300. Due to launch in 2018, the inspiration behind the engine was the defence industry’s drive to adopt diesel as a preferred fuel and thus reduce, or indeed end, its use of petrol.

In addition to dimensional checks, given the potential for the generation of friction and wear in moving parts, particular attention is paid to the components’ critical surface roughness parameters. Duncan Green, head of procurement, explains more: “As the surface finish characteristics of the CXO300’s parts have a massive influence on their performance, we recently searched for a surface roughness tester that was able to deliver precise results in the many surface roughness parameters that we use. After considering several alternatives, we found the answer to our needs in the Surftest SJ-500 from Mitutoyo. The instrument has proven invaluable in upholding the quality of our manufactured components throughout our engine development period and will also be kept busy coping with anticipated production volumes.”
Ken Edwards, chief inspector, adds: “As its menu-driven system is so easy to use, I was able to use all of the SJ-500 facilities immediately after its installation. It also helps that the unit has a high-resolution colour display with touch-screen operation, while the instrument’s automatic calibration function gives me confidence in the precision of the reading that I achieve. In addition to working in all of the surface roughness parameters that we use, it’s great that the unit’s detector system can be mounted laterally for transverse measurements.”
For further information www.mitutoyo.co.uk

UK agent

Master Abrasives has been appointed to represent Superfinish Innovation AG, a division of Thielenhaus Technologies GmbH, as its agent in the UK and Ireland.

The company’s superfinishing devices work with tapes or stones for high-precision applications requiring optimum geometry and surface quality. The benefits of applying the super-finishing process in manufacturing include reduced workpiece wear, increased percentage contact area, improved energy efficiency and savings in workpiece material and weight.
For further information www.master-abrasives.co.uk

Get smart

Barclays is calling on manufacturers to urgently invest in smart factory technologies, such as AI, Industry 4.0 and big data, to avoid spiralling further down the productivity black hole, and to get ahead of global competitors.

Through a survey of 500 manufacturers, Barclays Corporate Banking has found out why organisations are currently hesitating to invest: 35% said more education and information is needed on the tangible benefits of smart technology; 40% blame recruitment difficulties due to a skills shortage; and 23% said they were not clear what the ROI would be.
For further information www.barclayscorporate.com

£3.4m taken at Citizen open house

Within a couple of hours of Citizen Machinery UK opening the doors for its ‘Technology Days’ open house, the directors of Ilkeston-based subcontractor Adams Engineering (pictured) ordered a Citizen Cincom L32 VIII sliding-head turn-mill centre to increase its installed base of Citizen machines to five. Adams Engineering employs seven people and supplies sectors that include medical, mining, automotive, rail and HVAC. “We have grown on the back of our Citizen installations, which give us reliability, consistency of production, and support and service when we need it,” says director Scott Burrows.

Over the three days of the event more than 300 people attended Citizen’s UK headquarters near Watford, with 18 orders placed worth in excess of £3.4m. Seven of the machines sold feature the company’s patented Low Frequency Vibration
(LFV) technology.
For further information www.citizenmachinery.co.uk