As Numetor was not equipped with suitable inspection equipment, it was limited in its ability to inspect complex parts. The acquisition of Faro's Edge ScanArm measuring arm opens up new prospects for developing its business.
Specializing in machining, Numetor manufactures parts of all sizes, up to 1200x600x500 mm, individually or in small quantities. To check the conformity of these parts, the company has long used conventional instruments such as calipers, micrometers and dial gauges. This approach was well suited to the inspection of relatively simple parts.
The evolution of demand has recently led Numetor to take an interest in the manufacture of more complex parts, notably for the automotive, aeronautics and cosmetics industries. The company had the machines to manufacture them, but not the means to control them. Initially, it relied on the instrumentation built into its machine tools, but knew that it would have to equip itself with suitable checking fixtures. " We kept abreast of the latest developments in measuring equipment, and knew that the measuring arm was the ideal solution for us. As for the brand, Faro seemed an obvious choice, as it was "the" specialist in this technology. "explains Loïc François, Methods Technician at Numetor.
As the demand for complex parts was still in its infancy, the company could not anticipate the rate of utilization of the measuring arm, and thus assess the return on investment. Initially, to limit the risks, it decided to minimize the investment by purchasing a second-hand FaroArm measuring arm from an Internet auction. She then "salvaged" the arm without the software, and purchased the CAM2 Measure10 measurement processing software from Faro.
Very quickly, in order to be able to scan, Numetor decided to trade in its old arm for a Faro Edge model with laser head and Geomagic Studio reverse engineering software. Faro also provided training.
As expected, the measuring arm with detachable laser scanner ensures the inspection of complex parts, and performs checks that were previously impossible. Loïc François gives a few examples: " Today, for example, we can precisely control the geometry of fine grooves, the flatness of a surface, or the parallelism of two faces. With the arm, it's also very easy to obtain a radius of curvature, simply by raising three points... ". When it comes to simple checks, Numetor continues to use traditional measuring equipment, as it doesn't require any "set-up" time. But if there are a large number of points to be measured, the measuring arm proves more efficient...
The Faro ScanArm can be used for both contact and non-contact measurements (thanks to the laser scanner). For relatively simple measurements, such as measuring a radius of curvature, contact measurement provides an immediate result, whereas using the scanner requires you to "enter" the software, which takes a little longer.
Now able to carry out all types of inspection, Numetor no longer hesitates to take orders for complex parts. The acquisition of the arm has opened up new markets. The arm's portability is also a highly appreciated feature, as inspections can be carried out directly on the machine, without having to dismantle the part. The arm is also used to take readings at customer sites, for reverse engineering purposes. Numetor goes even further, perhaps laying the foundations for the company's future diversification: " We sometimes provide measurement services for third parties who have no parts to manufacture... These are one-off operations for the moment, but you never know! "concludes Loïc François.
4 reasons to equip :
- Complex measurements. Thanks to the Faro arm, Numetor can carry out measurements that were previously impossible with its traditional instruments (checking flatness and parallelism of surfaces, calculating radii of curvature, etc.);
- Portability. The measuring arm enables measurements to be taken directly on machine tools, without the need to dismantle parts;
- Ease of use. Numetor, which had no experience of advanced measuring instruments, easily adopted the FARO measuring arm, and the person who benefited from the training is passing on his know-how to others;
- Flexibility. Numetor uses the measuring arm not only for manufacturing controls, but also for reverse engineering, and even for measurement surveys for third-party companies outside the mechanical engineering industry.
Learn more: www.numetor.fr