Sensor systems aid machine tool productivity

To aid CNC machine tool productivity, products include an ultra-compact high accuracy probe, tool recognition system and on-machine verification software for inspection on machine tools.

Productivity Partnerships event to see new range of machine tool productivity tools Renishaw, one of the world's leading metrology companies, will be one of 23 metalworking industry suppliers taking part in the Productivity Partnerships 2005 event, being held at the 600 Centre in Shepshed, UK, from 8th to 10th of November.

The company will be using the opportunity to highlight a range of new products for CNC machine tools, including OMP400, an ultra-compact high accuracy probe for small machining centres, the new TRS1 tool recognition system for high-speed tool breakage detection, and new on-machine verification software for inspection on machine tools.

The OMP400 from Renishaw is an innovative, ultra-compact strain gauge probe for small machining centres, offering reduced set-up times, reduced scrap, reduced fixture costs, improved process control and high accuracy on-machine measurement.

Measuring only 40mm in diameter and 50mm in length, the OMP400 combines the miniaturisation of the highly successful OMP40 probe with new advances in strain gauge technology, pioneered by Renishaw's high accuracy MP700 probe.

A new system for tool breakage detection, the TRS1 projects a beam of laser light at a tool and monitors the scattered light that is reflected to determine if the tool has been broken.

This new tool recognition technology distinguishes between the tool and coolant or swarf, whilst it is also fast and reliable under real machining conditions.

More reliable than conventional non-contact systems, the TRS1 comprises a single unit containing the laser source and detection electronics, enabling it to be mounted outside of the working envelope, safe from collision and saving valuable space on the table.

Also on show will be Renishaw's first PC-based inspection software for machine tools.

The Renishaw OMV (on machine verification) software is specifically written for machine tools, targeting the inspection of prototypes, complex and large parts, multi-operation parts, and die and mould parts, against original CAD data.

With a straightforward point-and-click approach, inspection could not be simpler.

By clicking various features on the modelled part, the inspection path is automatically generated.

Using Renishaw's non-lobing, high accuracy spindle probes such as the new compact OMP400, surface data is measured and sent to the PC, where powerful (CMM style) measurement algorithms process the data.

Now in its 11th year, the Productivity Partnerships event involves all the partners contributing to stage fully integrated working demonstrations, from design and programming software, through metalworking operations, to robotics, production automation, inspection and production analysis.

Suppliers include ACI (UK), Colchester Lathe, Crawford Collets, Delcam, Electrox, Harrison, MecWash Systems, NC Engineering, Pathtrace, Renishaw, Roemheld, Seco Tools and Seiki Systems.

Back to top