Shearline Precision Engineering has invested in two new Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs) to ensure stringent accuracy both at the intermediate stages of manufacture, and in finished products. It is also offering the facility as part of its prototyping service, as the equipment supports re-engineering of existing products or the generation of drawings after prototype acceptance.
Mitutoyo Crysta-Apex machines give Shearline the ability to carry out intricate inspections of engineered components at all stages of the manufacturing process Quality manager Don Reid explains that the Mitutoyo Crysta-Apex machines give Shearline the ability to carry out intricate inspections of engineered components at all stages of the manufacturing process. This enables the refinement of processes and improvement of tooling during manufacture – increasing efficiency and the consistency of output.
“The bigger of our two new CMMs is a very sophisticated device and can measure very large items – such as with dimensions up to 1.2m x 2m and up to a metre in height,” said Mr Reid.
The new equipment will not only accelerate the quality assurance process but also makes it possible to measure free-form surfaces such as aircraft engine turbine blades which do not have a regular prismatic shape. These can be inspected and measured, and results compared with CAD models.
Don Reid explains: “Previously, if you had, for example, a complex engine block or cylinder head, it would have taken several days and a huge number of different pieces of equipment to measure it accurately and compare it to the original drawings in order to establish it had been made correctly.
“Now, we can simply download the CAD drawings into the CMM’s computer, and it will do this automatically. We don’t need to programme the machine with the required measurements of every part, cut, opening or joint – it knows what is required and checks against it.”
The speed and accuracy of the CMMs, coupled with their detailed reports, enable customers to quickly receive verification that their items are produced to the required standard and meet the specifications demanded.
“We can measure items with two micron accuracy, which guarantees the quality and precision of our work,” says Mr Reid. “When working for the aerospace and defence industries this precision is valued.”
Although the company has purchased the equipment to meet specific client requirements it is also offering the CMM as part of its prototyping service, allowing accurate engineering drawings to be generated from the finished product. This could save days of time that is currently spent creating specifications for products that may never get to market.
Mitutoyo Crysta-Apex machines give Shearline the ability to carry out intricate inspections of engineered components at all stages of the manufacturing process Quality manager Don Reid explains that the Mitutoyo Crysta-Apex machines give Shearline the ability to carry out intricate inspections of engineered components at all stages of the manufacturing process. This enables the refinement of processes and improvement of tooling during manufacture – increasing efficiency and the consistency of output.
“The bigger of our two new CMMs is a very sophisticated device and can measure very large items – such as with dimensions up to 1.2m x 2m and up to a metre in height,” said Mr Reid.
The new equipment will not only accelerate the quality assurance process but also makes it possible to measure free-form surfaces such as aircraft engine turbine blades which do not have a regular prismatic shape. These can be inspected and measured, and results compared with CAD models.
Don Reid explains: “Previously, if you had, for example, a complex engine block or cylinder head, it would have taken several days and a huge number of different pieces of equipment to measure it accurately and compare it to the original drawings in order to establish it had been made correctly.
“Now, we can simply download the CAD drawings into the CMM’s computer, and it will do this automatically. We don’t need to programme the machine with the required measurements of every part, cut, opening or joint – it knows what is required and checks against it.”
The speed and accuracy of the CMMs, coupled with their detailed reports, enable customers to quickly receive verification that their items are produced to the required standard and meet the specifications demanded.
“We can measure items with two micron accuracy, which guarantees the quality and precision of our work,” says Mr Reid. “When working for the aerospace and defence industries this precision is valued.”
Although the company has purchased the equipment to meet specific client requirements it is also offering the CMM as part of its prototyping service, allowing accurate engineering drawings to be generated from the finished product. This could save days of time that is currently spent creating specifications for products that may never get to market.
