When faced with the need to find high-precision, flexible measuring devices that would satisfy the challenging inspection needs of two company divisions, Stuart Hill, Development Engineer at AM Hydraulics, communicated each division’s diverse requirements to FARO UK and requested demonstrations of suitable portable CMMs.
In the course of the subsequent in-house demonstrations, the speed, precision and generous capacity of FARO’s Quantum 3D ScanArm proved it to be the perfect portable inspection solution for AM Hydraulics’ large components. Likewise, when measuring the company’s AM Tooling division’s relatively smaller workpieces, the recently launched FARO Gage measuring arm confirmed its impressive accuracy specification, in addition to its quick set-up and ease of use. The outcome of the successful demonstrations was an order for both FARO products.
From Humble Beginnings to High-Tech Powerhouse
Since its founding in 1978, AM Hydraulics has continued to expand and is now a major force in the UK hydraulics manufacturing sector. Areas served by the family- owned business include the: Aerospace, Nuclear Power, Earth Moving, Oil & Gas and Wind Power industries.
Based in a recently opened manufacturing facility in Birmingham, AM Hydraulics offers a, 'one-stop' manufacturing service. The company’s impressive end-to-end production capabilities include milling, finish grinding and hard chrome plating. In addition to meeting challenging delivery deadlines, AM Hydraulics’ impressive level of autonomy enables rigorous adherence to quality control standards.
As an ISO 9001 accredited business and an approved supplier to many blue chip companies the quality of AM Hydraulics output is of paramount importance. In addition to undertaking final inspection routines, dedicated Quality Inspectors also make detailed in-process checks at every stage of production. Given the size - up to 3,000mm dia., and weight - up to 22 US tons of AM Hydraulics’ workpieces, administering an efficient in-process quality regime presents a range of challenges.
Now used by AM Hydraulics, the FARO Quantum ScanArm was designed to deliver outstanding levels of inspection precision in less than pristine environments, such as on the shop-floor. The robust FARO product is certified to ISO 10360 -12:2016, the most rigorous international measurement quality standard in existence and tests to the International Electrical Commission (IEC 60068-2) standards for shock, vibration and temperature stress relief.
In addition to performing highly efficient tactile inspection tasks, the Quantum ScanArm is able to undertake precise, non-contact scanning routines thanks to the use of its FAROBluTM Laser Line Probe HD. FARO’s next generation of blue line laser technology enables five times faster scanning than previous models, including use on complex surfaces comprised of dark and reflective materials.
When compared to its best-selling predecessor, the Quantum ScanArm is 20% lighter and, as it requires no warm-up time, is always ready to use. These qualities ensure improved levels of productivity by enabling operators to work longer and more comfortably.
The use of industrial grade wireless connectivity and dual, hot swappable batteries supports the Quantum ScanArm’s data transfer capabilities and its continuous operation in remote areas of the factory floor without the need for external power.
“Given the size of AM Hydraulic’s large workpieces we chose a Quantum ScanArm with a 2.5m capacity and it has proven to be the ideal large capacity portable CMM for our use,” said Stuart Hill as he explained AM Hydraulics’ ScanArm purchase. “In addition, as it is easily transportable and quick and simple to set-up, it helps that our operators can carry the Quantum ScanArm to all of our production areas and quickly put it to work carrying out detailed inspection work using its touch probe or its non-contact laser probe. Although our staff are experienced in using precision equipment, given the nature of the production areas it is used in, it helps that the Quantum ScanArm is so tough.”
In addition to delivering the levels of speed, accuracy and capacity Quantum has significantly reduced inspection data capture times. AM staff is now able to instantly download collected data, store it directly onto a computer and compare it against nominal CAD data.
A Bevy of Benefits
Equally challenging, Stuart continued, is that although different in scale, are the inspection requirements of the business’ AM Tooling division. AM Tooling specializes in the manufacture, assembly and repair of press tools in addition to providing a comprehensive jig and fixture design and manufacturing service.
“In addition to speeding-up AM Tooling’s inspection work and flow of data, our use of the FARO Gage has enabled us to increase or precision capabilities,” Stuart explained. “Also, as it is so flexible, the FARO Gage has helped us to lessen our reliance on hand tools, such as calipers and height gauges, and to reduce the use of numerous measuring instruments spread around our shop floor. Our FARO Gage is now making a major contribution towards upholding AM Tooling’s demanding quality standards.”
As the most accurate and also the most affordable FaroArm ever produced, the recently launched FARO Gage is perfectly suited to performing inspection tasks on small to medium size components. The extremely intuitive and versatile portable Coordinate Measuring Machine boasts a1.5m (4.9 ft) working volume and a volumetric accuracy of 0.022mm (0.0009 in.). Thanks to the Gage’s best-in-class performance for hard probing applications it is able to eliminate inspection bottlenecks and greatly reduce companies’ reliance on difficult to use and expensive fixed CMMs.
Thanks to FARO, the company’s two new portable inspection technologies provide a major advantage over the use of a fixed CMM; in addition to being used for final inspection purposes, AM uses them to perform in-process checks on workpieces that remain located in machine tools.
Now in regular use FARO products’ impressive accuracy specifications and speed of use help AM maintain its high quality standards while also boosting efficiency levels.”
“The success of both AM Hydraulics and AM Tooling is due largely to the quality of each divisions output and their efficiency levels that allow competitive quotes to be tendered and business to be won,” Stuart concluded. “To make sure that we maintain these advantages we regularly invest in state-of-the-art production and inspection technologies.”
Four Good Reasons about this FARO Product
- Perform precise, non-contact scanning routines with the FAROBluTM Laser Line Probe HD – a blue line laser technology that enables five times faster scanning than previous models.
- Use on complex surfaces comprised of dark and reflective materials while enjoying the benefits of being 20% lighter than previous models, accessing with ease difficult or hard to reach parts or assembly, requiring zero warm-up time.
- Industrial grade wireless connectivity and hot-swappable batteries supports the tools data transfer capabilities and its continuous operation in remote areas of the factory floor without the need for external power.
- Deliver unmatched speed, accuracy and capacity with significantly reduced inspection data capture times ideal for inspection tasks on small to medium-size components.