Hexagon CMM gives Nuclear AMRC sub-micron accuracy

Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence has supplied a Leitz PMM-C 12.10.7 ultra- high-precision CMM, which offers sub-micron resolution of large parts and samples, to the Nuclear AMRC. It means the centre now has the most accurate and largest-scale metrology capabilities in the High Value Manufacturing Catapult network of research centres.

The PMM-C 12.10.7 was chosen for its ability to inspect components and samples up to 1.2m long and weighing up to 1,750kg. It is also equipped with a Precitec LR chromatic confocal probe for non-contact measurement of critical faces to nanometre resolutions, a Profiler R sensor for automated tactile surface roughness measurement, and an ultra- high-precision rotary table to aid inspection and measurement of rotatives, blades, gears and splines.

“We chose the Leitz because of its stability and accuracy,” said Carl Hitchens, head of machining and metrology at the Nuclear AMRC. “Quality is critical in the civil nuclear industry and the machine’s sub-micron accuracy allows us to reach a deeper understanding of the manufacturing process.

“We can then use this understanding to inform, improve and optimise the process, helping companies to demonstrate that parts made by new processes can meet customers’ quality requirements.”

On-machine inspection of large high-value components is a major area of study for the Nuclear AMRC, where a Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence DEA DELTA, the largest gantry CMM available in any research centre, and Hexagon’s PC-DMIS NC machine tool metrology software are also in use.

“Multi-sensor systems are the future, so the investment in the Leitz platform not only enables the centre to be an early adopter of next-generation technologies, but also ensures the research team can validate and test systems with the support of Hexagon, a Tier One member, and other manufacturing partners” Hitchens added.