LK Metrology-built CMMs at Cross Manufacturing given “new lease of life” after upgrades

At one of two factory units in Devizes, South West England, operated by sealing specialists Cross Manufacturing, two co-ordinate measuring machines (CMMs) built by LK Metrology in 1997 and 2007 have received upgrades, and been given a “new lease of life” according to LK.

The upgrades involved the future-proofing operation of both machines by retrofitting multi-wired NMC300 controllers with updated firmware and software. LK Metrology says that among the advantages of the upgrades is the ability to deploy different types of sensor in addition to touch-trigger probes. Within the scope of the project, two new Renishaw PH10MQ motorised probe heads were also fitted.

The company says that as a result of the improvements, Cross Manufacturing has gained the ability to use the Renishaw SP25M tactile scanning probe it has purchased, which it hopes will cut metrology cycle times by at least one third when implemented in early 2024.

LK Metrology says that additional types of contact and non-contact sensor may be integrated in the future, should Cross Manufacturing choose to extend the CMMs’ capability and consolidate other automatic measuring functions into a single metrology routine.

The CMMs are an LK G90C 10.10.8 and an LK Evo 15.15.10, having nominal inspection volumes of 1000 x 1000 x 800 mm and 1500 x 1500 x 1000 mm respectively. LK says that the machines fulfil a critical role serving the turning section, where brush seals ranging in size from 6 feet down to 4 inches in diameter are produced in small batches for high-temperature gas turbine applications in aerospace and power generation.

“The vast majority of our parts are 100% inspected. Upgrading our CMMs means that we will be able to increase throughput by introducing tactile scanning, allowing us to support ever increasing demand without having to invest in another CMM at this time. We are supported admirably by LK’s applications engineers, all of whom are knowledgeable and never cease to be helpful,” said Cross Manufacturing’s Senior Project Manager Mark Botwell.

Dave Eldridge, Lead Inspector for the aerospace and powergen products added: “Despite their age, the CMMs measure tolerances from ±0.002 down to ±0.0002, a level of process capability that requires a very high measurement uncertainty. Almost every part we inspect is symmetrical and relatively flat, whether it is a finish-machined product, a segment of a large ring, or a fixture for securing components during batch production.”

Eldridge added: “Most feature measurements are consequently 2D and three-quarters consist of CTQ (critical to quality) for ensuring correct fit and performance in a turbine. Surface finish is generally in the range 32 to 64 CLA, which is currently checked separately on other equipment. However, now that we have multi-sensor capability as a result of the retrofits, we may decide to carry out that function in-cycle on the CMMs using an LK surface roughness probe, saving a second inspection operation.”

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