TPT May 2020

AR T I C L E

FARO & Alltube Engineering

“Achieving optimum 3D pipe shapes is never easy, as for instance, a pipe bend with a small angular error at one end can result in an inaccuracy of several millimetres at the opposite end of a long pipe. Hence, to satisfy the challenging briefs that are often given to us, our designs often feature demanding 3D geometric forms with extremely tight dimensional and geometrical tolerances. To ensure that each manufactured hydraulic pipe adheres to the required design specification, we thoroughly inspect each product before dispatch. “As the use of physical measuring devices for inspecting rigid pipes is both cumbersome and extremely long winded, we recently investigated the available non-contact measuring systems. A practical demonstration of a FARO QuantumE ScanArm, fitted with FAROBluTM Laser Line Probe SD, measuring a selection of our most testing products, proved to us that it was the ideal answer to our inspection problems. “Not only was the FARO ScanArm much quicker and easier to use, it proved more accurate than our previously used inspection methods. It was also able to link to our CNC pipe bending machines and to automatically generate comprehensive customer inspection reports. Last, but not least, the QuantumE FaroArm FAROBlu LLP combination is capable of both contact and non-contact measurement. “By using the ScanArm’s advanced 3D laser scanning capabilities, we have reduced our inspection times by approximately 90 per cent, and by extension reduced our delivery times. “Since using the QuantumE, in addition to being employed on our pipe inspection routines, we have found many further uses for it, including undertaking previously difficult to achieve, precise reverse engineering applications. Also, unlike our static CMM, it is extremely useful that the QuantumE is portable and quick to set up. Therefore, besides being used throughout our inspection and production departments, we are able to take it to our customers premises to perform our important on-site measuring tasks.” As a global leader in the field of measuring arm technology for more than 35 years, FARO has designed, developed and delivered trusted products in the market and is recognised as one of the world’s most innovative portable 3D measurement solution provider for factory metrology. The FaroArm remains the preeminent Portable Coordinate Measuring Machine (PCMM) that allows manufacturers easy verification of product quality by performing precise 3D inspections, tool certifications, CAD comparison, dimensional analysis and reverse engineering. Available in three different models with varying accuracy specifications, the advanced Quantum FaroArm is the first arm on the market that can be verified against the stringent international certification standard for articulated arm coordinate measuring machines – ISO 10360-12:2016, The standard ensures maximum measurement consistency

and reliability when used across a wide range of working environments. The FARO QuantumE model, as purchased by Alltube Engineering, is an excellent portable coordinatemeasurement machine for companies looking for an easy to use, robust and precise inspection solution. As the QuantumE with the FAROBlu LLP excellent 3D laser scanning capabilities, the staff of Alltube Engineering are now enjoying the multiple benefits of the system’s use in their factory.

FARO nicola.burgess@faro.com www.faro.com Alltube Engineering info@alltube.co.uk www.alltube.co.uk

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MAY 2020