Enthusing about the many benefits the new AXIOM TOO had brought to the company, Stuart Garner, CEO of Norton Motorcycles reports. "Our Aberlink CMM has allowed us to move our World Super Bike, rotary engine development program forward much more efficiently. With great ease, we can now very accurately and equally importantly, measure the effects of testing on our engines. After measuring all the 3D geometry of our components before we assemble them into an engine, we put the engine under test. This may be an endurance test, a simulation of a range of various environments, race conditions tests, or any number of other scenarios. On completion of the tests, we strip the engine down and return the components to the CMM, allowing the machine to very accurately determine any dimensional variations caused by wear or distortion. This invaluable information is then fed back into our computer based design process, enabling future improvements to our engine design, with the overall goal of achieving maximum performance potential. The main benefit the Aberlink CMM brings is the ease, speed and accuracy in which we can now complete these important stages of our engine development process. Our experienced engineers are specialist in engine design and development, therefore we require a system which is user friendly, gives rapid streams of pertinent information, while offering all the advanced functionality we need."

Right: Stuart Garner breaking the World Speed Record at the Bonneville Slat Flats on the Norton NRV588 rotary engine development bike.

"We are rapidly increasing production and working around the clock to meet orders for the new 961 Commandos. When the Aberlink CMM arrived we had a backlog of parts to inspect, but because the machine’s software is extremely user friendly, it took very little time to create all the required inspection programs. As our AXIOM TOO is a full CNC machine, we can now simply put follow-on batches of parts on to the machine bed and they are inspected automatically. Although I have little previous experience programming a CMM, I have been amazed at how quickly I have been able to master even relatively complicated measuring procedures." - Steve Bower, Manufacturing Manager, Norton Motorcycles.

More information about Norton Motorcycles: www.nortonmotorcycles.com

Regarded amongst the world’s leaders within the field of specialised hardware and software for the precise evaluation of the flatness, straightness and geometry of machine tools, WYLER AG has recently launched its advanced new MT-SOFT (Machine Tool Inspection Software) in the UK, through their agent, Bowers Metrology.

Prompted by the growing complexity and accuracy specifications of today’s machine tools, Wyler claim that MT-SOFT is extremely easy to use and that its logical layout combined with the clear structure of the software permits the intuitive measurement of even the most complex of machines. Invaluable at every stage of a machine tool’s construction, Wyler’s new software is able to take the necessary measurements and actions, not only in the early stage of a manufacturing process, but throughout the final assembly and installation phase of a machine tool.

When used with Wyler’s renowned inclination and measuring instruments, the newly developed MT-Soft software allows the independent measurement of all of the various geometrical elements of a machine. All individual measuring results are rapidly computed, saved and consolidated 3-dimensionally, allowing the precise determination of the total error of a machine. A simple example of the wide variety of the possible uses of the new Wyler software is the measurement of a vertical spindle in relation to the horizontal guide way of a machine tool.

Bowers Metrology claims that the advanced new software will complement the wide range of Wyler levels and inclinometers and are happy to demonstrate the time saving and accuracy merits of MT-Soft at customer's premises. 

SPS Aerostructures Ltd is a leading engineering company serving the aerospace industry throughout the world. The well known business has gained a formidable record for its extensive manufacturing experience, covering the production of precision machined components, sheet metal fabrications and avionics assemblies for incorporation into all types of aircraft including commercial airliners, military jets, helicopters and satellites.

From their UK facilities situated in Annesley and Mansfield, SPS Aerostructures are able to satisfy a wide range of customer requirements, ranging from small prismatic parts to large complex structural components. The latest Catia V5 machine-programming software has enabled SPS to interface directly with airframe design teams, whilst the company’s wide range of state of the art machine tools, including 3-axis vertical to 5-axis horizontal CNC machining centres, FMS multi-pallet technology and the latest snap-off tooling, helps the company to achieve optimum operating efficiency.

To guarantee that SPS Aerostructures maintains the hard won reputation for the high quality of its output, the company operate a rigorous quality and traceability regime, and make regular investments in the best available measuring equipment. To ensure that the company’s large inventory of gauges remain within calibration, and are available for use at all times, SPS have recently purchased a state of the art Trimos Labconcept calibration machine from Bowers Metrology UK.

SPS Aerostructures’ revolutionary Labconcept is capable of performing a myriad of calibration tasks whilst simultaneously generating calibration certificates. The machine’s specially developed QM-Soft (Quality Management Software) allows the operator to complete all calibration tasks to national, international or user defined standards and to customise the generated calibration certificates for individual needs. Speed of use is improved by easy to use TFT touch-screen technology, whilst set-up times are minimised by using the machine’s impressive array of quick fit accessories.

SPS Calibration Engineer, Colin Hearson reported, “Having previously worked in several UKAS accredited commercial calibration laboratories, I was aware of the excellent reputation of the Labconcept, and although I considered all of the alternative calibration machines now available, due to the sheer volume and wide variety of measuring instruments passing through our calibration system, I decided that the Trimos Labconcept best met all of our criteria in terms of speed, accuracy, and flexibility.

Prior to the purchase of our new Labconcept, most of our measuring instrument inventory was calibrated by an external calibration laboratory. Losing crucial gauges during their period of calibration for up to 2 weeks can potentially result in production delays. Our Labconcept now enables us to calibrate the vast majority of our measuring instruments ‘in-house’ and to instantly download the calibrated instrument’s findings onto our calibration software. The savings made by the company on external calibration costs, will ensure that the Labconcept achieves a very short payback on investment time.

We now see our new calibration machine as the ‘peak of our calibration system’, in that we are able to trace most of our dimensional findings to one, ultra-reliable precision source. We have also used the machine as a ‘referee’, if the accuracy of a gauge being used is in doubt; we now have the ability to make an instant check, giving our operators absolute confidence in the accuracy of their work.

Our much valued customers have learned to expect nothing but the best from SPS Aerostructures and our latest purchase will help to make sure we deliver exactly that”.

Twinner is a universal instrument for the measurement of cylinder-shaped parts, which replaces a great number of conventional instruments in the workshop.

This multifunctional and flexible instrument has been specifically developed for the workshop and lends itself perfectly to a use in production, close by the machining centre.

          

Features 

• Length
• Diameter on odd division
• Diameter of recess
• Internal depth
• Concentricity
• Axial run-out to part axis
• Eccentricity
• Radial run-out to part axis
• Pitch
• External diameter
• Width of Internal recess
• Width of chamfer
• Angle of taper
• Axial run-out
• Position
• Eccentricity to part axis
• Point of intersection
• Shoulder
• Width of external recess
• Internal distance
• Coaxiality
• Interrupted axial run-out
• Radius
• Interrupted eccentricity
• Angular pitch

Twinner allows the quality control of sole parts as well as that of small batches. All revolving parts can be precisely measured, without adjustment necessary. The range of parts that can be measured spreads over typical turning parts, such as axles, gearbox shafts, camshafts, crankshafts, transmission shafts, joints and revolving parts, to parts with very elaborate geometry.

Twinner is available in the following dimensions: lengths of 400, 800, 1200 and 2000mm and diameters of 125 or 160mm. The manual use and control of the Twinner is generally performed by means of a 2-axis display unit (diameter and length). For better comfort and more functionality, the Twinner can be equipped with a PC with Twinner Soft.

Display Options

Quadracheck Display
The use and control of the Twinner is generally made by means of a 2-axis display unit (diameter and length).

• Quadra-Chek
• Linear measuring system, min/max.
• Digital display
• Zero setting / Preset
• Display initialisation by external signal
• RS232 data output

PC with Twinner Soft
For better comfort and more functionality, the Twinner can be equipped with a PC with Twinner Soft. This modern SPC system offers unbeatable value for money. Its flexibility makes it adaptable to the most diverse measuring situations.

• PC with Twinner Soft
• 15" Touch screen
• 1024 x 768 resolution
• Measurement guided by program
• Q-DAS data base in ASCII format
• Optical module for non-contact measurement of external features

Accuracy:
Length - Maximum permissible errors um = 3 + L (mm) / 100
Diameter - Maximum permissible errors um = 1.5 + D (mm) / 100

The ShadoMASTER SHAFT is a horizontal Camera Based Video Inspection System particularly suited to shaft measurement.

A shaft scanning tool quickly scans the profile of the shaft and the software converts this scanned data into a dimensioned drawing of the measured part – AUTOMATICALLY! Nothing could be simpler.



The cast iron stage has tooling slots aligned with the optical path to facilitate work holding fixtures such as vee-blocks and centres.
 
Interchangeable fixed objective lenses are used to determine the field of view and pixel size which can be sub-micron for close tolerance requirements.


The VI-3015H shaft measuring machine can measure shafts up to 300mm in length with a maximum diameter of 150mm providing the overall weight does not exceed 25KG The LED lighting consists of 16 high intensity white LEDS which can be switched on in clusters to form a segment which is also radially adjustable. This means that the light can be positioned exactly where it needs to be in order for the edge detection tools to measure the edges that you are interested in. Once programmed, the lighting conditions are reproduced by the software for every inspection to ensure optimum repeatability.

The PC based controller runs on a Windows XP operating system and is completely integrated within the chassis so the installation is both quick and easy with no trailing cables. The system is also supplied with LED surface illumination which is ideal for illuminating the various facets of form cutting tools.

Price to be announced but Manual will be around £10,000 and CNC around £17,000 - £19,000 depending on options.

New ABERLINK ZENITH too CMM range
- Offering what Aberlink claim is the industry’s best performance to cost ratio for this class of machine, the comprehensive new CMM series consists of 10 machines with XYZ capacities ranging from 1000x1000x600 – 1000x3000x800. The Zenith Too range’s cutting edge all aluminium construction, advanced drive design and raised guide-ways ensures that despite their generous measuring envelopes, the machines’ extremely low inertia characteristics guarantees supreme speed of operation. The Zenith Too’s impressive accuracy and repeatability figures are further aided by the range’s measuring structure being completely independent of the machine’s granite surface table.

The impressive hardware of the new Zenith Too is complemented by the range’s intuitive Windows based software. A welcome bi-product of any Zenith Too CMM inspection routine is that a simultaneous picture of the measured component is created in real-time on the operator’s computer screen. Dimensions between the measured features, mirroring those that appear on the component drawing, are then picked off as required. In essence Aberlink’s ‘smart’ software represents an intelligent measuring system that is able to automatically recognise and define the various features being measured. Aberlink 3D is claimed to be the easiest to use CMM software currently available, so much so, that a complete novice is usually able to perform relatively involved measurement routines after just 5 minutes training.

Aberlink supply a complete Zenith Too ‘turn-key' package, including a comprehensive training programme, a wide choice of motorised or manual probes, Aberlink’s celebrated 3D software and not least the latest generation of high speed custom controllers, that are capable of generating true, three dimensional contours.

ZENITH TOO available measurement volumes are: 

   1000 x 1000 x 800 mm   from  £24,995

   1000 x 1500 x 800 mm   from  £28,995

   1000 x 2000 x 800 mm   from  £33,995

   1000 x 2500 x 800 mm   from  £39,995

   1000 x 3000 x 800 mm   from  £46,995

Based on the Axiom too technology, the 1m x 800mm bridge runs on air bearings on a grade 1, solid granite surface table, which can be manufactured in a range of lengths to offer increased Y axis travel.

The Zenith too uses 0.5um scales as standard, and can be fitted with any Renishaw probe or probe head.

Please contact us to for if you have any questions or would like to arrange a demonstration