Close-up of Ray Harris inspecting a scaled-down race car wheel for wind tunnel testing
Close-up of Ray Harris inspecting a scaled-down race car wheel for wind tunnel testing.
Driven Precision Engineering, known for its long-standing presence in Formula One, was hit with a dilemma following the implementation of the sport's cost cap. A majority of its turnover came from its business with Formula One, which was negatively hit as teams tightened their belts.
However, various Formula One teams informed Driven Precision Engineering’s Owner, Ray Harris, that he could break into the market of supplying parts for race cars if he were to improve the company’s component inspection procedures and quality reports. This is where coordinate measuring machine (CMM) manufacturer LK Metrology came in, as Harris ordered one of the British company’s AlteraC 10.7.7 CMMs.
About Driven Precision Engineering
First established in 2015, Driven Precision Engineering is known for its long history of supplying jigs, fixtures, and moulds to various Formula One teams. While most of the company’s turnover comes from its work with the pinnacle of motorsport, Driven Precision Engineering is also present in the aerospace, automotive, and general engineering industries.
Production of LK Metrology's AlteraC 10.7.7 coordinate measuring machine
During the development process, LK Metrology had to reduce the size of its CMM system by 100mm to ensure that it would fit into Driven Precision Engineering’s factory, whilst also fitting in its new quality room. Additionally, a single licence of LK’s PolyWorks Inspector software was included as part of the deal, which is swappable between the new CMM, and an articulated arm that Harris had previously purchased.
The aircraft fuel pump solid model on the screen in PolyWorks Inspector (left) and a report generated automatically by the software after CMM inspection
The aircraft fuel pump solid model on the screen in PolyWorks Inspector (left) and a report generated automatically by the software after CMM inspection.
When the PolyWorks software was being programmed, Harris was able to select the features and profiles he wished to inspect. He went on to describe the software as easy to use and ideal for beginners within the CNC and CMM fields.
The new software promotes quicker inspections and improved quality control, as it captures data using both touch-probing discrete points and tactile scanning using a Renishaw SP25M probe. Following data collection more comprehensive reports are produced with greater accuracy of freeform areas on components and dimensions. With data presented in a form that the user prefers. The system's pre-existing arm features a touch probe and laser scanner, with the scanner providing increased speed during the inspection process.
“I got the impression that I would receive good support and backup [from LK Metrology], which so far has been the case. In addition, the CMM is well-built, and the software provided is easy to use, including on the portable arm,” said Harris.
AlteraC 10.7.7 coordinate measuring machine specs
- The CMM is available in five different sizes: 7.7.5, 10.7.5, 10.7.7, 12.9.7, and 15.9.7.
- It uses multi-sensor technology and design.
- The AlteraC 10.7.7 features: accuracies starting at 1.7µm+L/333, repeatability of 1.5µm, speed of 720mm/sec, and acceleration of 1.900mm/sec2.
How has the AlteraC 10.7.7 impacted Driven Precision Engineering
Typical components, all machined from solid aluminium, inspected by Driven Precision Engineering on the LK CMM.
Typical components, all machined from solid aluminium, inspected by Driven Precision Engineering on the LK CMM.
Before Harris invested in the CMM system, he sent a water system for a Formula One car as well as a CAD model to LK to watch a demonstration of the CMM's inspection capabilities. The metrology solutions provider performed two inspections of the component. First LK completed a touch-probing to orientate it on the granite and then laser scanning. While the second inspection used an SP25M to probe and touch-scan the part.
Harris was impressed by the metrology process and invested. Through the implementation of the CMM system and PolyWorks software, Driven Precision Engineering’s inspection productivity saw a dramatic increase. As programming could be done in less than 10 minutes and can even be completed in advance with a CAD model.
Now Driven Precision Engineering has branched out into CMM metrology, the company has seen an immediate increase in its workload from the Formula One world. Much of this new workload revolves around manufacturing parts for hydraulic manifolds and race cars' front and rear wings. These specific parts have drawing tolerances down to 25 µm true position, which cannot be checked without the use of a portable arm, with the new CMM system making inspection tasks easier to complete.
As well as the increase in workload from the company’s Formula One contacts, this new technology has opened a variety of new avenues for Driven Precision Engineering, as advanced metrology makes new business easier to win. Harris also aims to start manufacturing a propriety range of parts for GT race cars, which would not have been possible before as LK’s CMM provides greater control on the quality of parts Driven Precision Engineering manufactures.