Meridian Lightweight Technologies turned to Hexagon for help with its inspection operations after winning new contracts to produce a range of inner and outer body panels for Ford and Jaguar Land Rover.
The Nottinghamshire-based manufacturer initially chose a Hexagon WLS white light scanner and fixturing system for checking the quality of magnesium castings that not only feature complex geometries, but also vary in size from 1m to 1.8m.
"The system is ideal as it scans large areas in a matter of seconds. Previously, a coordinate measuring machine was used which took hours to acquire the results that the WLS performs in minutes," explained Emile Jatta, Meridian's programme manager.
The company was so impressed with the advice received from Hexagon's sales and technical support team that it decided to further expand its quality control capabilities at the Sutton-in-Ashfield facility.
Meridian has recently purchased several Hexagon attribute gauges equipped with measurement probes and Go/No-Go target gauges, which check parts and report failings either with variable data or pass/fail reports.
In addition, Hexagon has supplied a series of interchangeable, flexible fixtures which have improved efficiency. They have transformed Meridian's CMM by enabling different components to be changed over without the need to remove the fixture base.
"These fixtures are one of the department's most valuable assets to date as they not only offer exceptional accuracy, but also use only a third of the floorspace taken up by the previous systems," Mr Jatta revealed.
He is very complimentary of the service provided by Hexagon and expects to continue the successful working relationship on future metrology projects.
"The team's attention to detail and orderliness of even the smallest elements cannot be underestimated. Every detail matters seems to be Hexagon's policy which entices Meridian to keep them as a supplier," he added.
Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence www.hexagonmi.com
Meridian Lightweight Technologies www.meridian-mag.com
