UNDERTAKE A WIDE RANGE OF INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CALIBRATION ROUTINES
Lymington Precision Engineers: Established in 1980, Lymington Precision Engineers has grown to become a leading manufacturer of precision machined components, fabrications, assemblies and kit sets for the Telecommunications, Defence, Oil, Space, Medical and Marine industries. Approved to BS EN ISO 9001: 2008, the company utilises the latest manufacturing technology including a wide range of advanced CNC Machine Tools with a turning and milling capability of up to 4 meters in length. The company’s flexible manufacturing systems are capable of working in both manned and unmanned modes to produce high-quality, close tolerance components 24 hours per day.
The company’s dedicated assembly areas enable all customers’ diverse requirements to be met and the delivery of fully tested assemblies. Highly skilled company technicians are engaged in the complete sub-assembly and assembly build, incorporating induction brazing and other specialised processes. Final testing of all completed assemblies is carried out on state of the art designed equipment with all data computerised for process control and retention of records.
In addition to the company’s range of premium quality CNC Machine Tools, LPE’s commitment to maintaining its reputation for the high quality of its output can be illustrated by the company’s comprehensive collection of quality control equipment. In addition to several optical measuring devices and hardness testers, the company’s output is inspected by an impressive array of 11 Coordinate Measuring Machines.
In addition to the above, LPE utilises a wide range of other associated inspection equipment including Micrometers and Ring and Plug Gauges.
To help reduce the cost of calibration of many of the company’s measuring instruments, such as Ring and Plug Gauges, LPE has recently invested in a Trimos THV calibration instrument from Bowers Metrology.
Now used daily within the company’s impressive Inspection Department, Martin Palmer, LPE Quality Director recently enthused: “in addition to the high cost of calibration of our many in-process gauges, the excessive time that they spent at an external calibration laboratory could cause significant difficulties. Invariably, whilst a gauge was away, a situation would occur were we would need it. To avoid these situations, we duplicate some of our most commonly used gauges, further increasing our gauging purchasing and calibration costs.
“To help overcome many of these cost and inconvenience problems, I researched the available gauge calibration and checking machines. Impressed with the accuracy, ease of use and cost of the Trimos THV, I was happy to place an order with Bowers Metrology. Now in daily use, in addition to slashing the cost of external gauge calibration, our new THV has given us much greater control over our gauge inventory. Previously, if for instance a plug gauge was accidentally dropped, it was deemed ‘out of specification’ until the gauge was re-calibrated; now a quick 5 minute check is able to verify the gauges condition.
“Before the use of the Trimos machine, we established gauges’ calibration intervals in a relatively arbitrary way, with a 6 to 8 month period becoming the norm. Now, with the help of the THV and our new gauge calibration software, we are able to accurately determine gauge wear trend analysis. Armed with this knowledge we have been able to significantly extend the calibration intervals of many of our less used gauges. Also we are now able to predict the end of gauges’ useful life, this gives us the time we need to order replacements.
“An important factor is that the Trimos THV will be calibrated at regular intervals to UKAS standards, meaning that all calibration procedures carried out on the instrument are fully traceable to national standards. Having estimated a relatively short payback period for the THV before purchasing it, in view of the contribution the Trimos instrument is now making to our gauge control and calibration system, we have now revised our anticipated return on investment period downward.
“LPE has developed an operating culture, organisation and operating system that relentlessly pursues the elimination of waste, variability and inflexibility, the Trimos THV is now making a significant contribution towards these aims.”
The flexible Trimos THV calibration instrument is capable of undertaking a wide range of internal and external calibration routines, belying its relatively inexpensive price. This flexible instrument can be supplied fitted with a wide variety of probes, scales and readouts, dependent on each customer’s required accuracy specification.
The large range of ingenious, quick-fit accessories that are available for the THV ensures excellent application versatility. Simplicity of design and ease of use of the instrument allows the rapid and accurate checking and calibration of a wide variety of measuring instruments, including test indicators, plain and screw plug gauges, and ring gauges.
For more information on the Trimos THV, click here.
Published on September 26, 2011 13:57