DIMENSIONAL INSPECTION OF SAFETY CRITICAL, EXTREMELY PRECISE COMPONENTS

MB Aerospace: Achieving demanding levels of measuring accuracy on average sized components, that feature difficult to access elements, can be extremely demanding.  Completing similar complex measuring routines and realising comparable levels of precision on components of up to 1.5 meters in diameter can be demanding in the extreme.

Owing to the type of components it manufactures and the nature of the company’s demanding customer base, MB Aerospace excels in the area of achieving precise measurements on large complex parts.

MB Aerospace is a world class provider of supply chain management services, supporting mature and late-life platforms for some of the leading names in the aerospace industry. With three sites situated in Derby, Burnley and Motherwell, MBAe has established an excellent reputation for supplying aftermarket components and for supporting platforms that require specialist engineering design skills. The company’s consistently high performance standards have resulted in MBAe receiving accreditation from several of the world’s largest Civil and Military Aerospace Companies.
Headquartered in Motherwell, the company’s impressive Flexible Manufacturing Unit (FMU) has gained a global reputation for the production of complex, low volume, low frequency demand Aero-Engine components.

In addition to the problems posed in producing such challenging large parts, the dimensional inspection of safety critical, extremely precise components such as Aero Engine rings presents a further range of complications.

Eddie Gilhooley, MB Aerospace FMU, General Manager, explained: “Although our manufactured rings have extremely demanding specifications, many of them are more than one meter in diameter. As they need to be accurately measured whilst being held in the chuck of a machine tool, our measuring routines previously involved the use of extremely cumbersome gauges and consequently were highly-skilled, time consuming, although accurate operations.

“In accordance with MB Aerospace’s quest for continuous improvements, we recently identified our ring gauging practices as areas for potential improvement. Having investigated the available large capacity, high specification metrology equipment and performed a series of demanding GR&R trials, we decided to purchase a range of advanced INTEX Beam Gauges and an extremely accurate Trimos Horizontal Gauge Setting machine from Bowers Metrology.

“As our new Trimos instrument has a 1.5 meter capacity we are now able to use it as a ‘universal’ master for setting our new INTEX gauges. Now in regular use, our INTEX gauges have proven both easier and quicker to use, in addition to being more accurate than our previously used instruments.

“As a result, prior to performing an in-process, internal or external measuring routine, our machine operators are able to use our new Trimos machine to very accurately set an INTEX gauge to the nominal diameter that they are looking for. Then, when applied to the component, any deviation from a nominal condition is accurately shown on the gauge’s display.

“Our new measuring machine has been a great success with our operators. As it is easy to use, it gives our personnel absolute confidence in the accuracy of the gauges they are using. In addition to being used for setting instruments, the Trimos Horizon is also employed to make occasional checks on the continued accuracy of any gauges that are being used.

“Once set on our Trimos Machine, our INTEX gauges have been able to slash the times previously taken to perform complicated gauging routines and to further improve our already high inspection accuracy. Unlike their much heavier predecessors, which were prone to thermal expansion and beam deflection, INTEX gauges are lighter and stronger. Our new gauges’ digital large readouts also make them easier to read.

“Overall, our efficiency has been much improved, as have confidence levels brought about by improved SPC data, which now allows us to progress components without the need to wait for inspection.  

“We anticipate that in future, the improvements instigated by our use of the Trimos Setting Machine and INTEX gauges, will allow us to implement operator certification. Our new inspection methods will help us to ensure that our expensive components continue to enjoy a zero scrap condition and to assist us in maintaining our important traceability records.”

Specifically designed for the accurate in-process measurement of large internal and external diameters, Bowers INTEX gauges are available in capacities from 200mm – 1000mm, with larger models available on application.

The INTEX range can be fitted with a wide selection of contact points, enabling awkward features such as grooves and undercuts to be easily accessed, and supplied with either analogue or digital indicators.

Ideal for use in setting Bowers INTEX gauges, the Trimos ‘H’ Series of Horizontal Machines are also capable of setting an extensive range of large capacity measuring instruments.

Click here for further information on the Trimos Horizon and Intex Beam Gauge.

 

Published on November 23, 2011 14:58