Surface inspection delivers advanced diesel power

Co-founded in 2007/8 by David Cox, a Formula 1 engineer, Shoreham-on-sea-based Cox Powertrain, has developed what is reported to be the world’s first 300hp marine diesel outboard engine, the CXO300.

Co-founded in 2007/8 by David Cox, a Formula 1 engineer, Shoreham-by-Sea-based Cox Powertrain, has developed what is reported to be the world’s first 300hp marine diesel outboard engine, the CXO300.

The inspiration behind the ingenious engine was the global military’s drive to adopt diesel as a preferred fuel and to reduce or indeed end its use of gasoline.

The innovative engine concept sparked interest from the UK MOD and the US Government, for diesel outboards and prompted the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) to provide £2.5 million in funding, in addition to invaluable technical assistance for developing the CXO300 for marine use. The company now has close links with numerous government agencies globally.

The CXO300 delivers increased responsiveness, enhanced fuel efficiency and improved safety in an engine that outperforms conventional diesels. Additionally, when compared to equivalent gasoline outboards, the reduction in the total cost of ownership, makes this world-first 300hp professional diesel outboard, a real game-changer for its operators. The CXO300 is expected to be a great success with commercial professionals around the world, as well as the marine leisure sector.

Having been designed to meet the extremely challenging requirements of the global military sector and to provide reliable service in the harshest of marine environments, the highest standards of quality are applied to the CXO300’s manufacture. The use of progressive production techniques, the application of extremely tight tolerances to its components and a rigorous inspection regime enables the CXO300 to achieve an extended working life when compared to current outboards.

In addition to dimensional checks, given the potential for the generation of friction and wear in moving parts, particular attention is paid to components’ critical surface roughness parameters.

Duncan Green, Head of Procurement at Cox Powertrain, explains: “In addition to petrol now not being permitted onboard military ships, it is also not allowed on many commercial vessels and superyachts. This has created a problem as currently no diesel outboard is currently available in the 250-350hp target market.

“Given our targeted customers, the engine’s reliability and working life is particularly important. When compared to the current market offering, the CXO300 has a design life of 3,000 hours, before overhaul.

“As the surface finish characteristics of the CXO300’s components have a massive influence on their performance, we recently searched for a new surface roughness tester that was able to deliver very precise results in the many surface roughness parameters that we use. We found the answer to our needs in the Surftest SJ-500 from Mitutoyo.

“The Mitutoyo instrument is able to inspect our parts in all of our surface roughness parameters and is also able to work in many other parameters that we may possibly need in the future. The instrument has proven invaluable in upholding the quality of our manufactured components throughout our engine development period and will also be kept busy coping with anticipated production volumes.”

Ken Edwards, Cox Powertrain chief inspector, adds: “As its menu-driven system is so easy to use, I was able to use all of the SJ-500 facilities immediately after its installation. It also helps that the unit has a high-resolution colour display with touchscreen operation.

“The instrument’s automatic calibration function also gives me confidence in the precision of the readings provided. In addition to working in all of the surface roughness parameters that we use, it also helps that the unit’s detector system can be mounted laterally for transverse measurements.”

Mitutoyo offers a wide range of high-quality surface roughness testers, from battery powered portable types that can be applied to any workpiece, through to sophisticated laboratory type CNC instruments.

The Mitutoyo Surftest SJ-500, purchased by Cox Powertrain, is a high precision, high-performance surface roughness tester with a dedicated control unit. The instrument’s 7.5-inch, colour TFT LCD, large coloured icons and touchpanel controls make the display easy to read and the instrument simple to operate.

A built-in joystick on the control unit enables quick and easy positioning, in addition a manual adjustment knob allows fine positioning of a small stylus – particularly useful when testing features such as the inside surfaces of small holes.

Set-up is simple by means of a ISO roughness-standard input function, enabling complex routines to be entered easily by selecting the appropriate symbol from a menu. Aiding flexibility, the instrument can be used as a standalone unit or mounted on a robust stand.

MITUTOYO www.mitutoyo.co.uk/en_gb/

COX POWERTRAIN www.coxmarine.com/en

 

 

 

 

Company

Mitutoyo

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