Renishaw to focus on process control at IMTEX 2013

Renishaw, the global engineering technologies company, has, over many years, developed expertise in the area of process control for manufacturing using precision measurement systems.

15 January 2013

Renishaw, the global engineering technologies company, has, over many years, developed expertise in the area of process control for manufacturing using precision measurement systems. At IMTEX 2013, which takes place from 24 to 30 January, in Bangalore, India, the company will be exhibiting a range of process control solutions, from pre-process machine calibration, to online and offline post process control. This will include a range of new touch probes and software that increase machine tool automation, a new rotary axis calibration system, and new additive manufacturing machines.

RLP40 and OLP40 lathe inspection probes

On show in hall 3A stall G102 will be the RLP40 and OLP40 lathe inspection probes, which offer a choice of signal transmission technologies – radio or optical – to make part set-up and inspection on turning centres accurate, simple and reliable. Measuring just 40 mm (1.57 in) in diameter and 58.3 mm (2.30 in) long, the probes provide unidirectional repeatability of 1 µm (0.00004 in) and can be used to reduce set-up times, scrap, and fixture costs, while improving process control.

TRS2 broken tool detection

Visitors to IMTEX 2013 will also see products for machine tools that help increase speed of manufacture. These include the Renishaw TRS2 tool recognition system, which takes typically less than one second to detect broken tools. Also being demonstrated is Renishaw's twin-probe system which uses a single optical receiver for tool setting probes together with a spindle-mounted touch probe for component inspection, offering fast integration. This twin system comprises the OMP40-2 touch probe and OTS cable-less tool setter, which is particularly suitable for machines with twin pallets or rotary tables.

REVO^® five-axis measurement system

At IMTEX 2013 Renishaw will also demonstrate a new surface finish probe option for its revolutionary REVO five-axis measurement system. The new probe allows surface finish inspection to be fully integrated within CMM measurement routines. With a measurement capability of 6.3 to 0.05 Ra, the SFP1 surface finish probe provides a unique 'single platform' that will eliminate the need for hand-held sensors, or the necessity to move parts to costly dedicated surface finish measuring machines, reducing labour costs and inspection lead times. Using REVO, CMM users will now be able to automatically switch between part scanning and surface finish measurement, with analysis all contained in a single measurement report.

The versatile gauge™

Also on show will be the Renishaw Equator™, a lightweight, fast and highly repeatable gauge that operators can use with ‘push-button' simplicity. Equator's innovative flexible gauging technology is based on the comparison of production parts to a reference master part, which can greatly increase throughput and reduce scrap rates at a fraction of the cost of an equivalent custom gauging system. Equator can switch between parts in seconds, perfect for flexible manufacturing processes or accepting parts from multiple machines.

QC20-W wireless ballbar

For visitors to IMTEX looking to source machine tool testing systems, Renishaw will also exhibit the QC20-W wireless ballbar system which assesses machine tool positioning and servo control performance, and includes a volumetric testing capability.

In addition to the convenience of wireless operation, the QC20-W telescoping ballbar is the first calibration tool to allow testing in 3 orthogonal planes through a single reference point. A single, simple hardware set up means quicker testing and the ability to produce a representative volumetric measurement of positioning accuracy.

Machine tool calibration systems

Continuing the theme of machine tool calibration, Renishaw will also be showing the new XR20-W rotary axis calibration system and XL-80 laser interferometer. The XR20-W system works with the market leading XL-80 to allow the measurement of rotary axis positional accuracy to within 1 arc second. Totally wireless operation and modular mounting systems ensure suitability for a wide range of machines.

Additive manufacturing systems

Visitors to IMTEX 2013 will also see a new range of additive manufacturing technologies. Renishaw's laser melting systems utilise a pioneering, additive manufacturing process capable of producing fully dense metal parts direct from 3D CAD, using a high-powered fibre laser. Parts are built from a range of fine metal powders that are fully melted in a tightly controlled atmosphere, in layer thicknesses ranging from 20 to 100 microns.

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