Taylor Hobson and Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines set out to push metrology boundaries

The agreement will provide Mercedes-BenzHighPerformance Engines with access to Taylor Hobson's latest generation of metrology tools in a climate-controlled metrology laboratory at Brixworth. Taylor Hobson will also use the facility to showcase its instruments and conduct product demonstrations. Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines is responsible for the design, manufacture and testing of Formula 1 racing engines. In addition, it oversees all aspects of the Formula 1 hybrid Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems that are developed at the facility. Mercedes-Benz Formula 1 engines powered Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button to their victories in the 2008 and 2009 Formula 1 Drivers' World championships and also helped Brawn GP win the 2009 Formula 1 Constructors' World Championship. For 2011, they power Mercedes GP Petronas, and are also supplied to the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and Force India F1 teams. "By working closely with an organisation that is at the very cutting edge of modern engineering, and whose precision requirements push the boundaries of existing technology, we hope to greatly truncate the development time of several, 'next-generation' Taylor Hobson Metrology products," explains Taylor Hobson's Ian Lee-Bennett. "Through the cooperation and feed-back of Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines' personnel, our intension is that the anticipated developments will deliver not only improved performance, but also user-friendly ergonomics and enhanced data presentation. "Throughout the course of the agreement, Taylor Hobson will work closely with Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines by employing our existing, state-of-the-art metrology instruments and developing methods and solutions to address a range of Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines surface finish and sub-micron measurement challenges." Andy Cowell, engineering director of Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines, highlights: "Formula 1 engine development cycles consists of: Concept – Design – Simulation – Manufacture – Assembly –Test and Analysis. The more cycles that can be achieved within a given timeframe, the faster our progress, but we never compromise quality in the pursuit of reduced development cycle times. "With a view to further improving the precision of the Test and Analysis phases of our development cycles and reducing the time these important functions take, we will be using a range of Taylor Hobson instruments, including PGI, Talyrond, CCI and Surtronic tools. "Having examined the alternative, available roundness and surface finish testing equipment, Taylor Hobson's offerings were chosen because we considered them to be the closest technical match to our extremely demanding wish-list and for their outstanding accuracy specifications. "As a result of our discussions with Taylor Hobson, it occurred to both parties that technical cooperation would pay excellent mutual dividends, thanks to the eminence we enjoy within our respective fields and our joint desire to push back boundaries."