Guindy Machine Tools Ltd (GMT) has expanded its Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) product range by introducing the new GRANO 12 20 10 for larger components. GRANO 12 20 10 has a measurement volume of 1200 x 2000 x 1000 mm. Its volumetric measurement uncertainty is 3.5 + L/200 ?m without CAA, and its probing uncertainty is specified at 3.0 ?m. As with all GMT CMMs, a choice of software is available to suit the application and the budget. Closer accuracy can be achieved with computer compensation.

The GRANO 12 20 10 is an easy-to-handle bridge CMM suitable for a variety of dimensional inspection tasks on general mechanical and prismatic components where touch-trigger and scanning measurements are the key solution. All the three axes are made of high performance granite, with identical characteristics in temperature response and rigidity.

Non-contact optical steel encoder scales, mounted on granite members assure uniform thermal behaviour. All axes employ high precision air bearings to provide a friction free, highly accurate, and maintenance free motion.

"This is the ideal solution for companies which are looking for a CMM with an excellent price-to-performance ratio" GMT has a wide range of CMMs from 500 mm to 3000 mm to suit the inspection needs of prismatic parts, free form components - direct comparison to CAD data, reverse engineering with CAD export (IGES), die and mould inspection, drill jigs and fixtures, special position gauges.

CMM Controllers

The company offers a complete line of Renishaw universal controllers (UCC2 and UCClite) and servo power amplifiers (SPA2 and SPAlite) providing a cost effective solution and providing a configurable package that delivers unrivalled levels of probing flexibility, reliability and support.

UCC Lite: 3-axis, low cost, only touch trigger operation.

UCC2: 3- or 4-axis controller, providing the capacities to operate any touch trigger and scanning of Renishaw's latest technology. Standard features include the interface for the SP25M, SP80 and the new REVO scanning Probe; and full error correction to enhance the CMMs accuracies.

CMM Manager Software

CMM-Manager is a task-oriented, highly intuitive CMM software package for both manual and CNC CMMs. It is a fully integrated environment featuring walk-in quick-measure, one-click CAD-measure, collision-free CAD-teach, virtual simulation, real-time verification, advanced path planning, CAD alignment, datum alignment and many more smart functions.

CMM-Manager also offers flexible yet easy-to-use functionalities, including graphical probe configuration management, automatic tip calibration, cross section scanning and group feature measurement.

CMM-Manager software can retrofit any manual CMM. CMM-Manager is plug-n-play for most DCC CMMs on the market. Main Features include the following:

Fully Integrated Measurement System

• Task-oriented working environment with intuitive interface design, easy to learn and easy to use
• Walk-in measurement for quick dimension check
• One-click automatic CAD-measure
• Collision-free CAD-teach, and
• Virtual simulation and real-time verification.

Advanced Path Planning

• Automatic probing angle selection
• Collision detection and collision avoidance, and
• Inspection path optimisation.

Powerful Alignment Tools

• Iterative datum alignment to improve the accuracy and repeatability of the alignment results for datum points distributed on prismatic surfaces as well as free-form sculptured surfaces
• CAD alignment for free-form surfaces, and
• 3-2-1 alignment for prismatic datum features.

Reverse Engineering Support

• Actual measured data exported to CAD can be used to take your reverse engineering application to new heights of efficiency and accuracy, and
• Exporting actual measured data to an IGES or a DXF file format

Instant Walk-in Measurements

If one wants to take a few measurements on random parts or first-part article and give feedback data to engineering or production department, the CMM Manager interface enables quick alignment of the part and measurement of planes and geometric features, such as hole pattern. Snap point measurements can be taken on the screen, which virtually eliminates the need to manually probe the work pieces, and dimensional charts that indicates size, geometry and position information can be created instantly.

CAD-based Programme

Load the CAD [Computer-Aided Design] file of the part into the CMM - Manager Software and subsequently pick the position and features that are required to measure. One has to simply click a point or feature on the 3D view of the part and drag- and drop the icon in the part program representation. A smart software capability of CMM Manager is the automatic conversion of the part program in to a collision free touch probe motion path, including optimum probing angle to measure deep pockets or through holes, for example interactive pick-confirm - and measure method is much more straight forward, time efficient, fool-proof than coding probe paths and angles manually.

Retrofit and Calibration Service for CMMs

GMT has more than 40 years of experience in the manufacture of dimensional metrology equipment. The company is the ideal choice of partner when one considers retrofitting a CMM. All the variables involved in rebuilding CMMs are taken into consideration, which include error compensation, thus ensuring accuracy, reliability and functionality. A CMM can be given a significant life extension with GMT CMM retrofit. Most CMMs manufactured in the 1980s and 1990s are well-made, sturdy machines. These machines have outdated hardware and software. Retrofitting these CMMs with new hardware and software will restore them to state-of-the-art-equipment. It will increase productivity, extend the life of the CMM and in many cases can increase the CMMs accuracy with 21-error compensation. With error mapping and compensation the CMM can achieve accuracy like a new machine.

CMM Contract Inspection

GMT offers a unique CMM contract inspection service to industry. The company has the experience, expertise and technology to assist customers with their inspection requirements. The extensive CMM facilities include:

Make: GMT

Range: X-750mm, Y-1000 mm and Z-600 mm

Accuracy: 3+L/200 ?m

Software: Metrolog XG with Scanning

Controller: ME5007 with ME470 Joystick

Probe Head: Renishaw PH10M-Motorised probe head

Probe: SP25 and TP20

Metrolog XG, a very powerful, versatile measurement and inspection software from Metrologic group, France has the solution for any metrology requirement.

With Metrologic XG software, one can measure everything from simple prismatic parts to complex, free form contoured surfaces, CAD comparison with speed, efficiency and accuracy. With its integrated graphics function, one can create reports that put a fresh perspective on dimensional data.

Scope of Inspection: prismatic parts; free form components - direct comparison to CAD data; reverse Engineering with CAD export (IGES); dies and moulds; drill jigs and fixtures; special position gauges; and continuous scanning with SP25

(Guindy Machine Tools Limited, 196, Velachery Tambaram Main Road, Pallikkaranai, Chennai 600 100. Tel: 044-22460627-29. Mobile: 098444-58482, 99401-01912. Email: esales@gmt.co.in)