CMMs and programming software to be launched

Two CMM types, aimed at precision aerospace and automotive power train sectors and at general manufacturing will be launched at MACH 2004 alongside CAD and non-CAD CMM software.

Two new co-ordinate measuring machines (CMMs) will be shown by LK for the first time in the UK on the company's stand at MACH 2004, as well as version 4 of its market-leading CAMIO 3D measurement software for programming CMMs for both CAD and non-CAD applications.

On display also will be LK's retrofit and upgrade business, both for its own and other manufacturers' CMMs.

Hardware refits and software upgrades are increasingly carried out by the company to modernise the capability of older systems, often providing enhanced accuracy compared with the manufacturer's original specification.

LK's wide ranging after-sales service will feature prominently including the subcontract inspection and CMM programming facility at the company's Donington factory, CMM calibration and maintenance service plus the highly regarded telephone helpdesk and on-site call-out service.

New range of scanning CMMs combine speed and accuracy - manufacturers, especially in the aerospace and powertrain automotive sectors, need co-ordinate measuring machines that are compatible with concurrent engineering practices and help to shorten product development time.

Data collection, usually by taking a single point or series of points with a touch-trigger probe, is now being superseded by continuous contact probing, better known as analogue scanning.

To meet this need, LK has introduced a new range of bridge-type CMMs, called Evolution, designed specifically to provide the optimum mechanical performance for analogue scanning.

Offered with measuring envelopes ranging from 800 x 700 x 600mm to 5000 x 1500 x 1500mm, the machines combine extremely high measuring accuracy with the fast operational speed of a production line-based CMM.

The company offers an industry-leading, 10-year guarantee for the dimensional stability of these competitively priced machines.

The construction incorporates an enhanced cross-section, ceramic design for the bridge and quill.

All guideways use LK-designed, high efficiency air bearings which run with a reduced air film for low energy consumption and employ high stiffness friction drives with stainless steel drive belts.

Axis motion is assisted further by a new 'S-curve' profile for the servo motors rather than the traditional trapezoidal velocity/time profile, giving smooth, repeatable axis travel essential for accurate scanning systems.

The overall result is an extremely stiff metrology structure designed to withstand the higher forces generated by analogue scanning using high acceleration / deceleration, without sacrificing accuracy or risking machine deterioration over time.

ISO10360-4 scanning test results with the Renishaw SP25 probe give an MPR of 1.9 microns and an MPT of 68 seconds.

Repeatability is as low as 1 micron at scanning speeds in excess of 12 metres per minute.

Data collection rates can be up to 1,000 points per second to provide excellent component form definition and dimensional results.

Maintaining accuracy over the wide operating temperature range of 10 to 35 degrees Centigrade is achieved by a combination of LK's dynamic temperature compensation and dynamic probe error correction.

The latter provides temperature compensation right to the stylus tip, not just the probe head centre.

To ensure the new Evolution range is 'future-proof', the new controller uses advanced integrated modular technology that allows new hardware support modules to be added, with shortened development time.

New generation of production measuring machines - a new range of bridge-type CMMs, called Integra, provides users with a greater choice to select the machine that exactly suits their applications.

These new machines, intended for use with touch trigger probes, are available with X/Y/Z measuring envelopes in millimetres from 600/500/400 up to 1000 / 1000/800, although the X-axis travel can increase to 5 metres.

Designed specifically for the production environment, the Integra design features many construction disciplines typically used in the machine tool market.

Incorporating the electrical cabinet with the rear of the machine allows both the CNC and the motion control system to be integrated within the machine, eliminating any trailing wires and reducing the overall footprint of the machine.

This simplifies delivery, installation and maintenance and reduces cost of ownership.

Advanced controller technology optimises CMM performance and incorporates the optional remote system monitoring, providing instant support for any problem diagnosis and solution.

The machine structure has been optimised using computer aided solid modelling and finite element analysis, particularly within the bridge section.

Manufactured from ceramic, the bridge and quill are 330 per cent stiffer than aluminium yet only 32 per cent heavier by volume, resulting in higher machine acceleration and velocity.

High precision is as important on today's factory floor as it is in the quality control department.

Measuring accuracy is as high as 2 microns over a length of 150 mm and repeatability is 1.5 microns.

As an option, dynamic temperature compensation is available to ensure that this accuracy is maintained not just at the standard ambient temperature of 20 +/-2 degrees Centigrade, but across a wide range of temperatures from 10 to 35 degrees Centigrade.

LK offers the 10-year dimensional stability guarantee for the Integra and Evolution ranges of CMMs.

Upgraded programming software - LK can provide customers with a complete, single-source solution for measuring problems with its advanced suite of internally-developed, internationally-recognised, Windows-based, 3D programming software for use with its own and other manufacturers' machines.

Called CAMIO, it provides an intuitive programming environment based on more than 40 years of metrology experience.

CAMIO Studio DMIS-based software enables measurement directly from CAD data, while CAMIO Inspect is for non-CAD applications.

MACH 2004 will mark the release of the fourth version of both Studio and Inspect, offering enhanced functionality designed to meet the needs of all skill levels, from novice user to experienced CMM programmer.

CAMIO V4 sees further development of the interfaces for direct use of all leading CAD model data formats including CATIA V5.0, as well as continued support for non-CAD applications.

The interface has been improved for greater ease of use with less mouse and keyboard interaction.

Support for the 'Hoops' stream file provides very fast loading and view manipulation of CAD model data.

The algorithms allow compressed graphic data to load incrementally for immediate interaction while additional data continues to asynchronously stream into the background, thus increasing productivity.

New 'path' measurement strategy programming tools are included such as spirals in cylinders and continuous paths on planes, ideal for analogue probing.

An improved and simplified, context-based graphical interface can be configured to change to a user-defined layout automatically, dependent upon the current task being undertaken within the software.

A new, graphical reporting package features multi-format pages based on CAD graphics, single piece and multiple piece statistical reporting and summaries.

'Constant' replaces 'Instant' reporting whereby as the program is run, the report is generated in real-time with the display constantly on the screen.

MACH 2004 - April 19-23 - NEC Birmingham, UK.

Hall 5, Stand 5343.

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