Basildon-based machinist Rodwell Powell has invested £250,000 in a comprehensive renovation of its inspection department.
The centrepiece of the upgrade was the acquisition of two coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) manufactured by LK Metrology at its Castle Donington, Derbyshire factory. They are delivering high levels of accuracy and efficiency to support increasingly complex quality control (QC) requirements for Rodwell Powell's clients, which include Rolls-Royce Aerospace and Caterpillar.
It was the growing complexity and size of components that prompted Rodwell Powell to review its inspection department's facilities. The ensuing transformation saw the installation of two next-generation LK Metrology Altera C CMMs, enabling the subcontractor to handle larger, more intricate parts with greater accuracy and efficiency. The scope of the investment included a newly designed, naturally lit inspection room to enhance inspector focus and comfort. Improved LED lighting and ceiling enhancements ensure optimal visibility for precise measurements. Ergonomic workstations and inspection desks further optimise efficiency.
By providing inspectors with the best possible tools and working conditions, Rodwell Powell aims to ensure the highest standards of quality control. This has been reinforced by the recruitment of an experienced senior quality inspector, who was immediately enrolled onto LK Metrology’s advanced CMM training programme. To maximise the potential of the new technology, the rest of the inspection team has also undergone comprehensive training, having completed an intensive, week-long course in Castle Donington.
One of the new CMMs is an LK Altera C 10.7.5 equipped with a Renishaw PH10M Plus motorised indexing head deploying an SP25M probe with an SH25-2 stylus holder, which can perform scanning for form measurement and reverse engineering as well as touch-trigger probing for accurate geometrical measurements. Featured also is a 6-port stylus change rack to enable unattended completion of complex inspection routines. The second CMM is a smaller LK Altera C 7.7.5 with PH10M Plus and SH25-2, and additionally equipped with a Renishaw TM25-20 touch-trigger probe module, allowing the continued use of legacy CMM Manager software alongside LK's latest CAMIO 2024 R2. The latter is CAD-based metrology software underpinning the use of multiple sensors, intuitive programming, simulation and execution, results analysis, advanced GD&T, powerful reporting, and automation. Both CMMs are driven by LK's NMC300 controller, which supports an array of probing systems and sensors and is automation-ready for integration into modern manufacturing environments.
Andrew Rodwell, Managing Director of Rodwell Powell said: "Our investment in LK Metrology’s cutting-edge CMM technology is a game-changer for us. Not only does it reinforce our capabilities in aerospace and defence engineering, but it also ensures that we continue to meet and exceed the highest industry standards. The CMMs allow for increased accuracy, greater throughput and reduced lead times, reinforcing our reputation for uncompromising quality in these highly demanding industries."
Committed to developing the skills of future generations of engineers, Rodwell Powell has donated its previous LK Integra 6.5.4 CMM to a local training facility in order to provide aspiring engineers with hands-on experience using world-class metrology equipment.