Height gauge works on machined tubular components

In an effort to boost the efficiency of its manufacturing, Leicestershire automotive supplier Voestalpine Rotec Ltd invested in measurement technology from Bowers Group.

Based in Hinckley, Leicestershire, Voestalpine Rotec manufactures products ranging from simple bush tubes to complex assembled parts. The firm supplies components to a variety of global automotive OEMs, and even produces titanium frames for folding-bike manufacturer Brompton bicycles.

Components are typically manufactured using laser-machining techniques, and many have complex dimensions that are notoriously difficult to measure. Indeed, particularly intricate components may have over 20 individual holes and slots, which, until recently, required operators to move away from their machines and use linear gauge and shadowgraph instruments.

Bowers Group supplied Voestalpine with a Trimos V5 Height Gauge to ensure the accurate measurement of machined tubular components for the automotive industry.

Suitable for lab use, the system can also be used with software that transfers the measurement data straight to a computer.

The firm’s kaizen manager Keith Wileman said the system’s ability to perform different measurement tasks, alongside its repeatability and accuracy, has made it a great investment. “The Trimos has enabled us to make huge improvements to processes with regard to both capacity and time,” he said. “For example, a measurement that may have taken 30 minutes to complete previously can now be completed in approximately three minutes.

“The automatic recording of measurement data has been a major impact in reducing time spent by quality engineers filling out results and has removed the possibility of human error,” he added. “Also its ease of use were important considerations in the purchasing of the Trimos V5.

The data acquired from the Trimos V5 has also enabled us to generate automatic spreadsheets as

supporting documents that satisfy customer requirements on the part-approval process.”