Asia Pacific Metalworking Equipment News - Displaying items by tag: Profit

Universal Robots Are On A Roll

Danish robot manufacturer Universal Robots achieved a spectacular growth in the 2014 annual result just published. Their revenue increased by an astounding 70 percent, reaching more than USD$36 million, with profit that more than doubled to US$5 million.

Quick Box - Features

Industry 4.0 Needs Horizontal Integration

An increasing demand for a quality Manufacturing Execution System (MES) for Industry 4.0 clearly manifests itself. The functions and properties an MES system must have are detailed in the VDI guideline 5600. But is that relevant for Industry 4.0? The Future Concept MES 4.0 casts a light on the issue.

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Digitalisation Of The Manufaturing Sector (Part II)

In Part II of the "Digitalisation Of The Manufacturing Sector", we look at its evolution towards an Industry 4.0 manufacturing model. By Imtiaz Ahmed, Asia Pacific Mobil SHC Brand Manager, ExxonMobil Lubricants

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Gaining Competitive Advantage With Modern ERP Systems

The trend for today’s manufacturers is to keep costs down and this is best done with an effective ERP system to manage processes. Craig Charlton, Senior VP, Asia Pacific, Epicor Software Asia Pte Ltd has more on this.

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Quick Box - Cutting Tools

Exotic Materials Need Exotic Machining

Heat-resistant superalloys and titanium alloys are exotic. While they have superb properties, they also demand exotic solutions in the form of dedicated tools and carefully developed methods if competitive efficiency and good results are to be achieved. By Christer Richt, technical editor of Sandvik Coromant

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Medical Parts Machining: The Swiss Difference

The world medical market is strong for several reasons, including the fact that it has an aging population and this presents a business opportunity for the manufacturing sector. Contributed by Tornos

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On Time, On Budget

It’s not about playing with the cost, but budgeting well in order to manufacture efficiently and maximise the margins. By Asier Ortiz, CTO of Lantek.

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Quick Box - Metrology & Design

Keeping It Current

Eddy current testing is one of the most extensively used Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) techniques for inspecting electrically conductive materials such as copper and steel. This article looks into the fundamentals of this technology, including its latest probes and sensors. By Shahnawaz Abdul Hamid

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Laser Trackers: Accuracy In Aircraft Assembly

These trackers make extremely appealing metrology instruments, especially the ability to capture large volumes of 3-dimensional coordinate data quickly and in real-time. By Minta Chen, marketing specialist, Faro.

The accuracy of an aircraft assembly jig directly affects the precision of a piece that it produces, which, in turn, affects an aircraft’s flight safety and the safety of its crew and property.

Typically, laser trackers are used to inspect the aircraft assembly jigs which form part of the production line. Once component parts of the jig are manufactured, they are put together to become the tool on which aircraft assembly takes place.

Inspection of aircraft tooling jigs with the laser tracker.

These trackers are extremely appealing metrology instruments due to their size, portability, repeatability and accuracy. In addition, the ability to capture large volumes of 3-dimensional coordinate data quickly and in real-time, appeal to the technicians involved.

Through accurate measurements taken, a technician can check to ensure that various component parts are in the right position and within tolerance, as stipulated by design. Without the tracker, these measurements would not be possible with common measurement methods such as fixed coordinate measuring machines or traditional tools.

Manufacturing Applications

Not too long ago, manufacturers had to perform tests on parts and components using stationary coordinate measurement machines (CMMs). This proved vexing and difficult if you were trying to measure large parts or parts still on the production machine. With the portability of laser trackers, 3D measurements can now be completed with unprecedented speed and minimum disruption.

The aerospace industry was one of the earlier adopters in the technology. Using one or more laser trackers, metrology engineers could rapidly and accurately deliver 3D measurements and process improvements.

Tianjin TQM Feiyue Aviation (a subsidiary of Tianjin Motor Dies) based in Tianjin, China, focuses on aviation equipment technology development, transfer and consultancy, as well as the manufacturing of aviation equipment such as spare parts and aircraft sheet metal parts.

Tooling for a Bombardier C-series hatch door.

The company purchased a Faro Laser Tracker back in 2008. Tianjin TQM Feiyue’s project manager, Yan Zhichao, said: “At that time, Airbus was using the Faro Laser Tracker on their shop floor. That prompted us to purchase from Faro, because we wanted to ensure consistency between us and our customer.”

Seven years later, the company purchased a Laser Tracker Vantage, the CAM2 Measure software, as well as the Prime from Faro. Two additional laser trackers and a FaroArm in were added in 2015.

Making Full Use

At TQM Feiyue, the team’s work revolves around different assembly jigs and transportation jigs. Despite the wide-ranging measurement needs of between 8 – 16 m, and accuracy requirements of 0.05 – 0.08 mm, the laser trackers were able to meet the company’s variety of needs. Separately, the FaroArm is used to verify smaller-sized tooling at time of delivery, or used to complement the Laser Trackers in measuring difficult-to-reach areas.

Inspecting a LE700 small aircraft assembly jig with a laser tracker.

In 2015, TQM Feiyue built and commissioned a complete set of aircraft assembly line for General Aviation International (Xi’an) Aircraft Technology (Gavin) line of private jets. The laser trackers were used to perform measurements and inspections, especially in the final stages of the project, before handover.

The company found that its usage of the laser trackers increased over time, with its team clocking as much as 12 hours on the devices each day. The increase in frequency is linked to the need for accuracy on the assembly jigs. The team would bring the laser tracker on-site to take pre-delivery measurements. In addition, as a post-sales service, TQM Feiyue would deploy the laser trackers at their customers’ premises 60 percent of the time, using the device on a variety of work environments.

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Right On The Mark

Eddy Lek, product marketing manager, Asia Pacific, Faro Technologies explains to us on the importance of measurement accuracy within the metalworking industry.

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Quick Box - Sheet Metalworking

Innovating The Cut

Oliver Hergt, editor corporate communications, Bystronic shares with APMEN some highlights from the fields of laser cutting, bending, and software during the Bystronic event in Tianjin had a focus on customers’ increasing requirements for higher productivity.

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Fibre Laser Reaching Out To Medium Sheet Thicknesses

We see how fibre laser cutting technology is a meaningful extension to existing CO2 laser cutting systems. By Oliver Hergt, editor corporate communications, Bystronic Group

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The Digital Transformation (Part I)

With Industry 4.0, there is now an increasing trend towards digitalisation in industrial environments. Bystronic’s head of development (CTO) Dr Jürgen Hohnhaus talks about the benefits behind this development. By Oliver Hergt with photos by Manuel Stettler.

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Quick Box - Product Highlights

Beckhoff: IO-Link Box Module Devices

Beckhoff has launched IO-Link box module devices that offer protection class IP 67 and enable the local connection of binary and complex sensors and actuators in the field with simple and cost-effective sensor cables. This provides straightforward data transfer to an IO-link communication system. With 24 bus systems, a compact form factor and 28 different available designs of the module that are in accordance with IO-Link specification V1.1, the modules suit a wide range of application requirements and environments.

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Omax Corporation: MicroMax Precision Jetmachining Centre

The latest model of Omax’s MicroMax includes accuracy enhancing upgrades and expanded accessory compatibility.

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LVD: High-Speed Automation For Laser Cutting Machines

LVD have developed a laser cutting automation, designed for flexibility and speed. Handling sheet sizes from 1,000 x 1,000 mm up to 3,050 x 1,525 mm, the Flexible Automation for Lasers (FA-L) is now available on the Sirius Plus and Electra laser cutting machines.

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November 2024

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Manufacturing Applications

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