Renishaw and Delcam join up to boost productivity

Most modern machine tools either come with, or can be retrofitted with, probing capabilities to assist in the set-up of the job. With OMV, this same equipment can now be used for initial quality checks at little extra cost. Data for the process can be collected using Renishaw’s high accuracy spindle probes, such as the established MP 700 or the soon to be released compact OMP 400. Neither of these probes need to be calibrated in all the vectors in which they are to be used, so reducing the number of points required to measure a given part and, therefore, giving shorter verification cycle times. PowerINSPECT can use the data both to check surface accuracy or to measure features, such as circles, cylinders, cones, spheres and planes, to a high level of precision. The ability to program complete verification sequences off-line means that there can be minimal interruption of the machining operations. The most obvious advantages of this technology are for those companies that do not have existing inspection capabilities, however, even those with inspection facilities will benefit. If a part has to be transferred to a dedicated CMM and the inspection shows any errors, the component must be returned to the machine tool and re-clamped in position before being machined again. OMV also delivers benefits where heavy parts are involved and handling difficult.