Trade fair of superlatives

Dhe demand from companies all over the world is impressive. EMO Hannover will once again be a superlative event for the metalworking industry. By the end of June 2013, around 2030 companies had registered. They will be showing international trade visitors how best to solve their manufacturing challenges on more than 177,600m² of net exhibition space.

60 percent of the exhibitors come from 39 countries around the world. In line with its technological leadership, Europe is the heavyweight among the exhibitor regions with more than 1500 exhibitors. Switzerland is represented by around 150 exhibitors. However, around one fifth, more than 430 companies, will be coming from Asia alone. In the past 20 years up to 2012, international machine tool consumption has almost tripled to around 66 billion euros. Since the turn of the millennium, it has grown by an average of almost five percent annually in euro terms. The main driver was Asia, where around 60 percent of total international machine tool production was consumed in 2012. An important basis for the success of the world's leading trade fair EMO Hannover is the global nature of the machine tool business. More than half of the world's machine tool production is traded. The volume has increased by 80 percent since the turn of the millennium. This is especially true for the European machine tool industry. It exports almost 85 percent of its production. According to an analysis by the European machine tool association CECIMO, well over 80 percent of its exports of cutting machine tools consist of NC technology. In the US machine tool industry, the figure is only 61 percent, and in the Chinese industry only 44 percent.

Machine tools play the main role at EMO 2013. But metrology and quality assurance also have their place, as the brief overview of new products shows.

Robot assists with 3D scanning

(Fig. 1) Automated 3D scanning with the highest precision - this is made possible by Breuckmann's Stereo-Scan in combination with the DPA coordinate measuring machine from Aicon. For this purpose, the 3D scanner is mounted on a robot, the measuring object is placed on a turntable. The reference backdrop is measured only once with the measuring device. This interaction enables fully automated, high-precision digitization and inspection of even large-area components. The system is used wherever the finest structures or minimal deviations have to be scanned with a high accuracy of less than 1 /10 mm. It can be quickly adapted to any individual scanning task. Measuring ranges from a few millimeters up to 1 m can be realized and changed quickly and easily, the manufacturer emphasizes. (Hall 6, Booth C26) __Info: www.breuckmann.com

Articulated helpers with a new look

(Fig. 2) The two largest and strongest articulated stands in the Fisso brand's Classic Line series have been redesigned to perform even more reliably and accurately. According to the manufacturer, the 4400-45 model has been designed for large workpieces and machines. The 6400-63 model can be used for workpieces and machines of even larger dimensions. Both models feature an infinitely adjustable

preload and can be equipped with switching magnets, whereby the dimensioning of the device feet is adapted to the size of the articulated stand. The systems are made of high-quality steel and light metal in Switzerland and feature a purely mechanical central clamping unit. Thanks to this solid quality, a durable and maintenance-free application is guaranteed. (Hall 6, Stand D11) __Info: www.baitella.com

Portable 3D high-tech measurement technology (Figure 3)

For the automated 3D inspection of parts directly in the production area, Creaform recently launched the Metrascan-RScanner, a robot-guided optical solution. 3D measurement systems are used in the metalworking industry for 3D inspections of stamping dies, sheet metal parts, sub-units and geometries, among other things. The same applies to CAD comparisons, conformity checks after assembly and welding processes, reverse engineering and for the inspection and adjustment of welded components. The multitude of possible applications in a company requires flexible and mobile systems that can be operated by several users if necessary and deliver reliable measurement results. Depending on the application, solutions tailored to the user are possible. Accordingly, the Handy-Probe coordinate measuring machine is suitable for tactile measurements, while the Handyscan 3D, Metrascan 3D and Go! Scan 3D. (Hall 6, Booth E03) __Info: www.creaform3d.com

Versatile measuring table (Figure 4)

The new Diatest System Come measuring table is suitable for both internal and external measurements. Not only bores can be measured, but also recesses (inside and outside) and conical workpieces. For this purpose, the manufacturer offers various kits and accessories to optimally adapt the measuring table to the required measuring task. Another field of application is gear measurement. Both internal and external gears can be measured. A significant advantage of the measuring tables is that they can be easily converted and subsequently adapted to changed measuring conditions. The manufacturer also emphasizes that it is possible to switch from internal to external measurement in just a few steps. (Hall 6, Booth C22) __Info: www.diatest.com

Handy, electronic inside measuring instruments (Figure 5)

The new electronic internal gauges from Kroeplin have three-point probing and, according to the manufacturer, enable better centering of the measuring contacts. They guarantee fast measured value determination and reliable measurement. The new high-speed probes for slot and bore measurement feature a clearly designed LCD display. The price is in the range of the mechanical quick-response probes. The measured values determined in the various programs can be displayed as absolute, relative and tolerance measured values, depending on the requirements. The integrated data logger can store 80 measured values in the device, which are then output later via the interfaces. In statistical quality assurance, the devices can alternatively be connected to PCs or evaluation devices from Mitutoyo via three interfaces for measured value acquisition and logging. These include USB, Digimatic and Mitutoyo UWave. (Hall 6, Booth C23 __Info: www.kroeplin.com

Digital module measures inner diameter (Figure 6)

Microtest High Precision Mechanics has realized a digital module that allows even higher accuracies than analog devices. The double ball-bearing measuring shaft carries a high-precision sensor that generates 10,000 increments per revolution. Measurement in 100nm increments greatly improves accuracy. The housing is made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic and is equipped with coolant-resistant seals at all entry points. The module complies with protection class IP 67, is impact resistant and can withstand complete immersion in a chip tray. A high-contrast display with large digits facilitates reading even in difficult lighting conditions. All important functions can be selected directly via a key. Measuring computer, interfaces to all well-known manufacturers and other accessories round off the system solution.

Inside micrometer (Figure 7)

According to the manufacturer, the Microtest system is the only one capable of accurately measuring bores from diameter 400mm to diameter 1150mm. As the Swiss company points out, the instruments have unprecedented accuracies. At the same time, they are extremely light in construction and equipped with extra-hard ratchets in order to largely center themselves in large bores. The instruments are suitable for both vertical and horizontal applications. In addition to accuracy, they also offer unmatched repeatability of results, it says. The internal micrometers are available for measuring ranges from diameters 400 to 650mm, 650 to 900mm and 900 to 1150mm. (Hall 6, Booth A35) __Info: www.microtest.ch

X-ray voltage meter (Figure 8)

The X-Stress Robot provides all residual stress and retained austenite measurements that can be performed by X-ray diffraction. As manufacturer Stresstech explains, it is particularly well suited to performing measurements on large and complex shaped workpieces that cannot be easily moved or taken to a dedicated laboratory. The robotic system consists of a robotic goniometer with G3 tube holder, the X3003 central processing unit and X-Tronic software. It can be extended with the hardware for the determination of the X-ray elastic constants. The RobotGoniometer performs all the tasks of the conventional X-YSystems with Floor Stand stand and additional degrees of freedom. The device simply performs all measurements on site. The complete system is easily movable to perform measurements at other locations. (Hall 6, Stand D21) __Info: www.stresstech.de

Gear measuring device (Figure 9)

Wenzel Gear Tec presents the WGT 280, the first model of a new generation of gear measuring devices. This adds a variant for the measurement of particularly small gears and rotationally symmetrical components to the familiar series. The new device enables fast and effective analysis of small gears up to a maximum diameter of 280 mm. Due to its compact design and small footprint, it can be easily integrated into existing processes. The easily accessible measuring area enables simple loading and operation of the measuring system. Thus, the gear measuring device is also suitable for the use of automatic feeding systems.

New 3D sensor (Figure 10)

With the new Phoenix, Wenzel has, as they say, done pioneering work in optical measurement technology. The new 3D sensor captures both geometry elements and point clouds quickly and contact-free in just one work step. It delivers precise results and impresses with high speed and a wide range of applications in quality assurance, according to the manufacturer. The new development is based on a combination of fringe light projection and image processing. Particularly in series production, for example in car body construction, housing production or on plastic parts, time-consuming inspections can be carried out quickly and reliably with the new sensor. The small and lightweight design enables connection to 3D coordinate measuring machines via standard components, but also use in production lines and special measuring units. (Hall 6, Booth A56) __Info: www.wenzel-group.com

New shaft measuring machine (Figure 11)

VICIVISION, Italian manufacturer of optical shaft and turned part measuring systems, presents its new shaft measuring machine MTL X-Stream with increased measuring range at EMO 2013. The new X-Stream series now enables measurements up to a diameter of 170 mm. It is also available in three sizes for length measuring ranges of 500, 850 and 1250 mm. Particularly when setting up machines for new parts, the MTL X-Stream can save costs in a considerable order of magnitude by reducing measuring times and thus machine downtimes. The increased measuring range of the X-Stream series now also allows customers with large shafts or flange-shaped parts, especially from the areas of large gears, pumps and mechanical engineering, to measure their parts. (Hall 6, Booth C36) __Info: www.vicivision.com

Software module for laser scanning (Figure 12)

The supplier of special pipe software, TeZet Technik AG, will be showing the TeZetCAD software at EMO 2013 with the new "Geometry" module, which allows laser scanning for geometric parts that have to do with pipes. Since there are more and more pipes with attachments in the industry, it is now possible to also check and document these parts for fitting accuracy. This is because they are often geometric parts such as flanges, suspension parts, screw connections, etc., which may only be delivered with a specified minimum tolerance, because otherwise the counterpart would not fit properly. (Hall 14, Booth F44) __Info: www.tezet.com