On the implementation of the successful metrology upgrade at WLR, Mr Blood commented, "Our new measuring processes can be used by personnel with a wide range of experience levels. The high degree of automation plus the ability to increase speed by scanning as well as touch-probing have helped us save time and remove inspection bottlenecks.
"Automation and deskilling of operations have also allowed us to enhance inspection efficiency without adding to our headcount. Added to this, every day there is a further economic advantage through the ability to run the CMMs unattended for up to two hours at the end of each day shift due to our strategy of batch loading."
Mr Parr concluded, "The parts we produce typically range in size from about 5 mm square up to 115 mm in diameter by 250 mm long.
"At one end of the scale they are milled, turned, ground, spark eroded, and diamond lapped from free cutting brass, aluminium and stainless steel, but very often they are machined from the toughest of alloys including Inconel 718, Invar or Hastelloy.
"Consistently high precision is the watchword here, with machined tolerances normally of the order of ± 25 microns but exceptionally down to ± 3 microns, if necessary.
"Nearly all components are inspected on our highly productive LK CMMs. There is enough spare capacity now to provide our customers with an additional service whereby, if required, some components that we do not manufacture for them are also inspected here and certified by us.
"Additionally, the new metrology room impresses customers when they visit us and improves their perception of the top quality, high value components we produce."
About LK Metrology
LK Metrology is renowned for innovative metrology solutions and services. The company’s products, including coordinate measuring machines (CMM), portable measuring arms and metrology software, are used worldwide to control and improve the quality of manufactured components. Its precision technology underpins the process chain from design, development, production and assembly through to quality assurance in global industries such as automotive, aerospace, defence, motorsport, energy, medical and contract inspection.
Established in England in 1963, LK Metrology has an impressive heritage in metrology dating back to the birth of CMM technology. Founded by CMM pioneer Norman Key and his father-in-law Jim Lowther, LK Metrology is credited with many of the CMM industry’s firsts including the first bridge-type design, first OEM to integrate computers, first to use a touch trigger probe, first to develop inspection software, first to use all air bearings and granite guideways, first to use carbon fibre composite spindles, first to use microprocessor-controlled drive systems, first to produce a truly thermally stable CMM and first to produce a high-accuracy horizontal-spindle CMM.
In 2018, LK Metrology was relaunched as an independent CMM manufacturer after several years as a division of Nikon Metrology. Headquartered in the UK, LK's CMM development and production are at the company’s facility in Castle Donington. Sales and support offices are located in the UK, North America, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and China, supplemented by a worldwide distributor network.
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Captions for photographs
Fig 1 - A machinist in the inspection room at Wilford at the end of a measuring cycle on a Nibron (high-strength cupronickel) component that he was previously responsible for loading onto the LK AlteraS 10.10.8 with the help of Launchpad (seen on the screen to the left). Results are displayed on his networked tablet and may also be called up on the static screen. The software will shortly be enhanced to include functionality that allows the operator on the shop floor to be alerted when a measuring cycle is complete.
Fig 2 - Six hard anodized aluminium oil exploration components, batch loaded onto the table of the LK AlteraS 15.10.8. Up to 12 smaller components may be placed on the table with the help of permanently located, pre-drilled fixture plates attached to the granite. This machine, and its smaller counterpart at Wilford, has a specification that includes accuracy starting at 1.8 µm + L/400, a repeatability of 1.7 µm, and speed and acceleration of 762 mm/sec and 2,306 mm/sec2, respectively.
For Further Editorial Information: Send all Technical Inquiries To:
Allan G. Hall, Hall Industrial Publicity, Inc. Joe Szymanski, VP Sales & Marketing
1261 Romney Road LK Metrology, Inc.
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304. 29550 W.K. Smith Drive
Tel: (248) 705-8272 Hudson Heights, Michigan 48165
Fax: (248) 645-0906 Tel: (810) 263-6100
Email Contact marketing.us@lkmetrology.com
