MACH 2008 - The need for speed

Renishaw is focusing on speed of manufacture at MACH 2008, with new products and training initiatives that will help businesses to manufacture profitably within the UK, by reducing process times and minimising the cost of poor quality for a wide range of machining and measurement applications.

This contribution to speed is perfectly demonstrated by two very different, but highly successful UK companies that are fighting back against overseas competition through a commitment to the latest technologies, and a tight focus on process control - see stories about Martin Aerospace and BK Tooling below. Visit Renishaw at MACH 2008 to see how you can also benefit your business.

See the Renishaw controlled 'rocket' at MACH 2008

Since 2000, the speed-obsessed Salakazi Racing team has continually refined its motorcycle dragster. The engine includes two Renishaw RM22 compact high-speed magnetic encoders which measure clutch speed and crankshaft position. With 1500 hp from a 1995 cc engine, the dragster accelerates to over 300 km/h, travelling a quarter of a mile in just 6.7 seconds!

See the Salakazi dragster on the Renishaw stand at MACH 2008.

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New system reduces lead times on sliding head lathes

At MACH 2008, Renishaw (stand 5140) and Citizen Machinery (stand 5260) are showcasing a revolutionary new approach to setting and controlling complex machining processes on sliding head lathes. Currently, on trial in its own machine shop, a new approach to on-machine probing is helping Renishaw benefit from dramatically reduced set times and the confidence to run ‘lights out’ on even the most sophisticated parts.

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New approach to manufacturing attracts royal interest

Martin Aerospace has recently won a new contract with Rolls-Royce due to it's ability to provide high-quality parts at competitive prices. At its Lanarkshire factory the use of high-accuracy Renishaw touch probes and complementary inspection software has seen floor-to-floor times reduce significantly. This technology has also enabled strict process control regimes to be introduced, allowing the company to maintain very tight tolerances and reduce scrap on complex inconel parts.

Technology makes mould and die manufacture plain sailing

BK Tooling has just five employees, yet has carved a successful niche in the cut-throat world of mould and pressure die-cast tools. Using Renishaw touch probes to automate part and tool setting, jobs can be changed over rapidly, and costs reduced by maximising machine up-time and eliminating scrap. 

Addressing the UK skills shortage

Based on its years of manufacturing experiences, both from its own factory and the many thousands of probing applications at customer sites, Renishaw has developed a training course based around a concept called the Productive Process Pyramid™ (PPP), which aims to help address the UK’s shortage of skilled engineers.