Tech Zones

Ron Branch of V&M Precision Machining and Grinding explains why rapid shop floor inspection with portable CMMs is sophisticated enough to satisfy the demands of the aerospace industry, but also perfect for the small or medium machine shop.

The time may have come to forget the old saying “measure twice, bend once.” Why? This optical measurement system from Aicon carries out automatic correction on Wafios free-form bending machines.

A portable CMM from Faro Technologies reduced the inspection time from two hours to only 30 minutes on complex and larger parts at aerospace manufacturer Sun Country Industries.

When Bradley-Thompson Tool Company received an order to machine a large number of aerospace gear box castings, new measuring capability was required . . . and Xspect Solutions met the challenge with the right CMM, the necessary accessories and immediate software assistance.

Aerospace manufacturer Kennebec Technologies needed to measure larger parts but didn't have the space, so it bought a new Wenzel CMM and then expanded its inspection facility and standardized its equipment and software around the new system.

This optical table system from Newport has a smaller footprint, more rigid design and more accessibility for inspection and/or assembly of complex systems.

These sensor mounting brackets from Pepperl+Fuchs are ideal for automotive, material handling and packaging applications prone to occasional target impacts and frequent changeovers.

FARO introduces the world’s most accurate break-resistant spherically mounted retroreflector (SMR) that can track up to 55 m in the most demanding measurement environments.

By using the new fifth-generation CMM technology from Carl Zeiss, it is now possible to scan over interrupted contours, thus enabling the operator to obtain measuring results clearly faster and more easily.

Synergy 2000™ SPC software from Zontec can be connected to gages on machine tools and the floor for direct process control of process variation during production and inspection.