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

Quantum Leaps & Steady Progress

In today’s ever evolving industrial needs, the evolution of the carbide insert determines the cutting edge advantage. Contributed by Andrei Petrilin, technical manager of indexable milling, and Marcel Elkouby, material science engineer manager, material & coating development, Iscar.

Quick Box - Features

Smart Sensors Are Bringing About A Paradigm Shift In Production

The smart factory employs smart sensors to intelligently detect and process data to improve productivity. By Michael Kaspar, product manager for photoelectric sensors & fibres, Sick

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Machining Exotic Materials: How To Get It Right

APMEN spoke with two machining experts to see how they are handling the machining and fabrication of exotic materials. By Joson Ng

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Aerospace Focus: Measure Up To The Standard

To remain competitive, aerospace manufacturers and suppliers must effectively manage compliance to the standards that drive their business. By Andy Reese, manager, HIS

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Quick Box - Machine Tools

It’s Always Better To Do It Yourself

We see how a Taiwanese contract manufacturer improved their delivery of parts for an optical communication components and sub-systems supplier by moving production in-house. By Matt Bailey, international correspondent for Haas Automation

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Case Study: Keeping It Simple

One research has shown that cellular machining utilising general-purpose CNC machine tools offers advantages over high-end, special purpose machines, with no apparent loss of part accuracy or quality.

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Why Laser Tracker Technology Is More Efficient For Aluminium Extrusion Press Alignment

Using a laser tracker, a metrology engineer can quickly capture high tolerance dimensional measurements – including conventional level and square measurements. By Hubert Meagher, director of metrology services, OASIS Alignment Services LLC.

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Quick Box - Cutting Tools

Cost Down, Production Up

At the fore, high speed milling of aluminium parts for the aerospace industry. By Reuven Shapir, Iscar Industry Manager for the Aerospace Marketing Division.

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Manufacturing Turbochargers: Turbine Housings Made Affordable

Roughing and finishing turbine housings is particularly challenging in the case of passenger cars with spark-ignition engines. By Lim Gan Shu, marketing manager, Walter AG Singapore.

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Upping The Precision

Producing components for modern gas turbines is a challenge that machining experts are familiar with; they are often faced with the task of machining difficult-to-cut materials such as titanium alloys and superalloys and creating shapes such as onion-shaped profiles and flutes. This difficulty is compounded by the fact that the turnaround time for machining the components must be as short as possible, while the process must be incredibly precise. Lim Gan Shu, marketing manager, Walter AG shows how precision tools, developed machining concepts and optimised tools set new standards in the field.

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Quick Box - Metrology & Design

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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When CAD Meets CAM

It is business as usual at Delcam after the takeover by Autodesk. By Joson Ng

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Speeding Up And Simplifying Solutions

Image dimension measurement system puts much faster in-process inspection within everyone’s reach. By Keyence

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Quick Box - Sheet Metalworking

Panel Bending With Efficiency & Profitability

Panel benders with high productivity and quick tool setup are distinguished by their speed, flexibility and economic benefits, especially for small lot sizes. By Simon Hiebl, Trumpf

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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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Safety & Ergonomics In Press Brakes

Paul Hillam, area export manager of SafanDarley takes a look at the significant safety and ergonomic developments in press brakes.

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