Singapore: Siemens recently launched its Digital Factory Manufacturing Design Consultancy, which aims to assist companies to assess the current state of their facilities, and thereafter structure an Industry 4.0 transformation roadmap to digitalise their factories. The ceremony was officiated by Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) Mr S Iswaran, and Siemens AG chief executive officer Joe Kaeser.

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.

When perfect volume cuts are required in wet or dry cutting situations, the solution lies with a high-performance automatic circular saw.

Thanks to references from the steel market, circular saw manufacturer Behringer Eisele from Weilheim/Teck succeeded in submitting the winning bid to supply and install an HCS 160 Multifluid high-performance circular machine to an international market leader in quenched and tempered steel.

The company’s most important customers are steel trading corporations worldwide, in particular in Europe. “This international tender for a sawing system was decided in our favour because Behringer Eisele scored highest when it came to the key factors quality, technology and price”, explains Manfred Grüninger, head of sales at Behringer Eisele, Weilheim/Teck, Germany.

In the magazine of the high-performance circular saw HCS 160 Multifluid, a single bar with a diameter range of 20 – 160 mm is separated from the bundle and cut. The bar with lengths of up to 13 m is cut to customer’s order to lengths between four and 12 m.

Variability & Adjustability

Their customer was able to cut 10 tons of raw materials in bundles of 20 with a starting length of 12.5 m and a diameter of 80 mm made of 42CroMo4. It took them less than 40 minutes to create two bundles with a vending length of 6 m.

The process included both, a front and a rear cut, as well as the dividing cut in the middle. The HCS 160 Multifluid was able to keep up pace with production delivering precision, supplying perfect volume cuts. Whether for wet or dry cutting, the carbide circular saw was able to offer both variability and adjustability.

In addition, the HCS 160 Multifluid can be adapted to suite the processing task and requirements of the sawing cut: From workpiece cooling using emulsion, through to the use of different micro-spraying devices to active saw blade cooling during dry cutting.

It is also designed to handle high-alloyed heat-resistant steel qualities over 1200 N/mm2. While the standard speed range of 20 to 250 rpm allows it to cover most conceivable sawing assignments even using standard equipment.

Flexibility & Support

The machine provides additional support during both wet and dry cutting: A chip conveyor with integrated coolant pump, for instance, ensures rapid disposal of produced chips. During wet cutting, a trough integrated into the machine frame captures the cooling lubricant emulsion.

“To improve vibration damping, our engineers opted to add greater rigidity to the machine concept”, explains Manfred Grüninger. The result is an increase in service life and an improved cutting surface for precise, rapid cuts in both wet and dry conditions.

As a fully automatic high-performance circular saw, the HCS 160 MF is designed to ensure production-oriented and flexible integration into the downstream production process.

“This is why we maintain a lively dialogue with the customer to ensure that the system is performing at all times”, says Grüninger. He regularly calls in to enquire how things are going on site. After all, process reliability is crucial when it comes to volume sawing.

Efficient and cost-effective processes are crucial to creating a sustainable manufacturing industry. By Dr Chen Wei Long, director, Sustainable Manufacturing Centre, SIMTech

The application of the acoustic emission (AE) sensor for monitoring can supply valuable information regarding the discontinuity in material. By Tim Wood, international sales manager, SBS

The sixth edition of BuildTech Asia 2016 takes place between 18 and 20 October 2016 at Singapore EXPO. Aiming to provide new insights on smart building and construction technologies in the built environment sector, the 3-day event programme includes an exhibition, guided tours, conferences, workshops, productivity awards and networking opportunities.

The German Machine Tools of America (GMTA) held a celebration in Chicago during the International Manufacturing & Technology Show (IMTS), commemorating the company’s 25th anniversary.

The Hoffmann Group was presented with the Preferred Supplier Award by Robert Bosch GmbH at AMB 2016.

The Hudson Valley Advanced Manufacturing Center (HVAMC) at The State University of New York at New Paltz (SUNY New Paltz) has opened an additive manufacturing superlab. The superlab, which is defined as employing high-end 3D printers of both PolyJet and FDM technologies, has received a designation by 3D printing and additive manufacturing solutions company Stratasys as a “SMART lab”, that is, a Stratasys MakerBot Additive Research and Teaching laboratory.