Blackpool-based Addison Precision has improved the speed, accuracy, reliability and quality of its manufacturing processes with the Venturion 450, a robust system equipped for the rigours of the shopfloor and supplied by Zoller UK.
Through the non-contact, offline inspection of all aspects of a tool prior to machining, the Venturion has brought ultimate data consistency and control to a business with ambitions for further growth. Zoller claims it is the only company in the UK dedicated exclusively to tool presetting and inspection equipment.
Don Hopper, special projects manager at Addison Precision said: “We use a lot of PCD-type tools which, if you touch with metal, can be damaged, so the idea of a contactless measuring system is the obvious solution.
“All of our operators are impressed with the Zoller interface – the way they communicate with the machine is via touchscreen which is powerful, user-friendly and intuitive. It has enabled us to have more accurate detail of what we’ve actually set. We’re measuring tool run-out, which is a very important thing when we’re trying to maintain sizes on tools like reamers and boring bars.”
He added: “We’ve come up with a system where we measure the tools with the Zoller, save that to a file on the network and then download it directly into the machine control. No operator intervention is required at all. It’s reassuring to know that we’ve checked everything because before with lasers we could only check tool length and the largest diameter without a lot of additional programming.”
Mr Hopper added: “I would have no hesitation recommending Zoller – installation, calibration and training was flawless and aftersales support has been excellent.”
Video link: http://www.zoller-uk.com/right-first-time-every-time-tool-presetting/
Zoller UK www.zoller-uk.com
Addison Precision www.addisonprecision.co.uk
