Blum Set for Take-Off at Farnborough
16 May 2012
As a market leading metrology and measurement device manufacturer with prestigious aerospace OEM customers, Blum Novotest will be looking to extend this customer base from Stand H1/B14 at the forthcoming Farnborough Air Show. In 2011, Blum demonstrated its aerospace pedigree by being part of a team that won a prestigious Chairman’s Award from globally renowned BAE Systems.
BAE Systems awarded a team at its Samlesbury plant that includes BAE Systems and Blum Novotest employees the award after the German measuring and testing technology specialist reduced cycle times by over 40% on a number of production components for the Typhoon aircraft with its TC54-10 touch probe and IC56 infra red receiver that sits within a machine tool.
This recognition and a deluge of aerospace enquiries at the recent MACH exhibition, will see Blum looking to extend its market leading position in the aerospace industry at Farnborough. The Lichfield based company will be keen to demonstrate the capabilities of its new TMAC tool monitoring solution that has won global acclaim from aerospace OEMs.
For the elimination of broken cutting tools and the resultant damage or scrapping of components, the new Tool Monitor Adaptive Control (TMAC) system protects the CNC machine while providing valuable information regarding the cutting process.
The TMAC is an addition to the Blum product portfolio that has been developed by Caron Engineering, a technical partner of Blum Novotest. The system reduces the high cost of replacement tools, lost production and rejected parts by effectively measuring tool wear in real time. It operates on the principle that the horsepower required to cut a part increases as the condition of the cutting edges of the tool deteriorates, saving existing customers tens of thousands of pounds each year.
Alongside the innovative TMAC will be the impressive new TC76-N Digilog touch probe for turning and round work applications. Ddesigned for both tool and workpiece measurement in turning machines, the TC range of probes have delivered remarkable levels of success for end users demanding on-machine measuring solutions. With the new TC76-Digilog, Blum-Novotest is introducing the world’s first touch probe for robust use in machine tools, combining digital and analogue technology in a 25mm diameter device, this new innovation transmits 50,000 readings per second.
To promote its full range of established touch probes, Blum will also exhibit its market leading TC50 and TC52 Workpiece Touch Probes at Farnborough. With a diameter of 40mm and an effective length from spindle nose to stylus tip of only 112mm, the TC52 sets new standards. This system has a completely innovative opto-electronic measuring unit and compared with competitor probes, the TC52 has the same measuring results when probing in various direc¬tions. For higher accuracy, versatility and reliability, Blum-Novotest will demonstrate its outstanding TC53-10 probe that is used on milling, turning or combined mill/turn machines for tool and workpiece measurement.
Regarded as a technology leader with regards to tool setting systems, Blum Novotest will also be looking forward to promoting its LaserControl NT-H3D. The LaserControl NT-H3D is an adaptation of the already established Blum LaserControl non-contact tool setting technology. The LaserControl NT-H3D provides non-contact measurement of rotating tools as well as the mechanical measurement of non-rotating tools in five approach directions. With the increasing use of mill/turn centres, Blum Novotest developed the LaserControl NT-H 3D to cater for the demands of these machine types. Traditionally, turning tools are measured with a mechanical probe and milling tools with a laser, the NT-H 3D eliminates the need for both these types - significantly improving setting times. The LaserControl NT-H 3D can set the radius & tool length for both turning and milling tools and this reduces set-ups and reduces machine downtime.
Alongside the LaserControl, Blum Novotest will be showing its renowned Z-Series of probes. The accomplished Z-Nano is an extremely compact tool measuring system that can be used on CNC machining centres to conduct automatic tool length measurement and breakage detection. It can also undertake temperature compensation in one machine axis. Complementing the Z-Series at Farnborough will be the Z-Pico probe, an extremely compact tool length setting and breakage control system. The tiny Z-Pico can carry out machine compensation of the smallest tools in one machine axis. With a total height of only 55mm and a total width of just 28mm2 the Z-Pico is one of the smallest tool setters on the market, making it ideal for monitoring the smallest of tools like micro drills, small cutters and engraving tools. For further details on any of these innovations, please come and visit us at Farnborough from 9-15th July on Stand H1/B14.
