LVMC review
LVMC
REVIEW
where, according to Tom Ashby, Business Development Manager for Training at
Elizabeth Valero NPL, delegates are taught how to “…better interpret technical drawings, make
fundamental measurement calculations and implement a measurement strategy in
a manufacturing engineering environment.”
The fifth annual Large Volume Metrology Conference (LVMC), hosted by Airbus,
took place at Chester Racecourse. I went along on the first of the two days and FARO’s recently launched FARO Laser Tracker ION caught my eye. This is a
many attendees remarked that numbers were “up quite a lot on last year” — on portable measurement system that uses a laser beam to measure the 3D
the first day, there were c.220 delegates, compared with c.140 delegates last components of large components, equipment and machines, with the help of a
year, I was informed by the organisers. Greg Way, of Team Engineering Ltd, said, spherical probe. Using high-precision angle-of-rotation transmitters and Agile
“This is a sure sign that industry is realising more and more the importance and Absolute Distance Meter (aADM), it calculates the 3D position in real-time, with
necessity of large volume metrology, and the amazing capabilities it has to offer.” an accuracy of 0.049 mm volumetric accuracy at 10 m, and offers a volume of
up to 110 m.
Both days of the event were split, with the conference taking place in the
mornings, followed by lunch, and the exhibition opening in the afternoons. A I also visited the Hexagon Metrology stand, where the company was
good strategy, I thought, as it most likely guaranteed a higher level of attendance demonstrating how the new Leica Absolute Tracker could be used in fully
at the conference. automated measuring systems. For example, by combining the 6DoF Absolute
Laser Tracker and an ordinary robot you have a high precision measuring device,
The conference programme promised an excellent line-up and did not fail to but then if you then add a Leica T-Scan mounted on a robot or a Leica T-Mac
deliver. First up — following on from the stupendous Welcome presentation from equipped with tactile probe you have a completely automatic measuring
Brian Fleet, Head of Excellence Wing & Pylon at Airbus — was Grant Cameron, installation. Visitors were also able to learn how Leica Automated Solutions could
of Concurrent Design Group, who presented a large-volume Audi project, where pave the way for metrology-assisted assembly.
the company used a white light scanner and optical tracking system to digitise
car doors and hoods. This was followed by five more, excellent papers; all ASI DataMyte UK launched its non-contact Laser Gauge for gap, step,
delivered by a host of LVM academics and experts. countersink, rivet height and radius measurement. Also, ATS International — in
partnership with ASI DataMyte UK (its subsidiary company) — introduced its
The exhibition was equally a big success, with all companies I spoke to offering Inspect attribute/defect data collection software, a visual inspection product for
positive feedback. Director of Central Scanning (UK agent for Steinbichler achieving sustained quality.
Optotechnik), Nick Godfrey, said, “As first time delegates and exhibitors at an
LVMC event, we have found it a very professionally run event, providing many Finally, I could not leave without visiting Metris’ stand. The company was
very informative presentations by leading industry professionals. It's great to see focusing its sales efforts on the new generation Metris Laser Radar, which is,
so many companies in a formal, but also relaxing non-competitive environment, according to Metris, the only solution providing automatic, non-contact
being able to discuss and network together." measurement for large-volume applications up to 60 m in radius, without the
need for photogrammetry dots, SMR’s etc.
I stopped by NPL (National Physical Laboratory) Ltd’s stand. The company chose
to launch Level 1 of its Large Volume Metrology (LVM) training programme at the So, all in all, a good day had by all was my impression. So, until next year’s
event. This is a three-day training course introducing dimensional metrology, hopefully even bigger and better LVMC…
tct 17/6 57
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