LK Metrology Launches Cost-optimized Horizontal Arm CMMs

Castle Donington, UK – LK Metrology Ltd has introduced three additional models of technically advanced design based on an aluminum construction to supplement its super-high-accuracy HC-90 ceramic horizontal arm coordinate measuring machines (CMMs). The company offers users a variety of affordable alternatives for dimensional inspection of large components found in the automotive, land transport, and heavy industries.

The new horizontal arm CMMs are available in three models: the LY-90T table version, the LY-90R rail version with single or twin arms, and the shop floor ready HD-90 rail version with single or twin arms, designed specifically for quality control of vehicle bodies and sub-assemblies in car plants.

The HD-90R single-rail and HD-90TR twin-rail models provide superior dynamics and accuracy and are intended for use in production areas. They are encased in protective covers to ensure thermal insulation against environmental changes and to protect the system from airborne contaminants common in a workshop environment.

The CMM rails can be installed directly on the floor without the need for a special foundation, or they can be recessed with heavy-duty walk-on covers to protect the X-axis slideways. The open structure allows for maximum access to the measurement area, making manual or automated component loading and unloading in a production area, including those that use roll-on/roll-off pallet transfer and in-line/line-side automation, easier.

The key component of this high-performance measurement solution is air bearings mounted on both the Y-axis and Z-axis. The measurement volumes of the two horizontal arms overlap by 100 mm in the twin-arm version to ensure access to all component features. The HD-90 is available in ten sizes, with axis travels ranging from 4,000 x 1,600 x 2,000 mm to 8,000 x 1,600 x 3,000 mm.

LY-90T Console Design Series

The LY-90T table CMM is typically used in line-side metrology applications, with the horizontal arm installed on guideways side-mounted onto a cast-iron surface plate for measuring small, medium, and large sheet metal and plastic components, for example. The table and its unique three-point support system eliminate the need for costly dedicated foundations. The LY-90T comes in 21 standard configurations with axis travels ranging from 2,000 x 1,200 x 1,000 mm to 6,000 x 1,600 x 2,500 mm.

LY-90R Single-rail and LY-90TR Twin-rail CMMs

The LY-90R single-rail and LY-90TR twin-rail CMMs provide a similarly technologically advanced, cost-effective, typically in-line metrology solution for the dimensional control of large, heavy components used in vehicle manufacturing and heavy engineering. The rails can be installed flush at floor level, and the X-axis slideways are protected by heavy-duty walk-on covers. The open design allows for complete access to part loading and unloading, even within in-line/line-side automated inspection cells with roll-on/roll-off transfer systems. The LY-90R comes in 17 standard models, with axis travels ranging from 2,500 x 1,500 x 1,500 mm to 6,000 x 1,600 mm x 2,500 mm.

LY-90 A-Line Horizontal CMM Features

LY-90 machines are modular in construction and simple to configure, with Y- and Z-axis air bearings, double recirculating X-axis bearing guideways (LY-90R/TR), or X-axis air bearings (LY-90T), counterbalance with a safety brake, super-high-resolution linear encoders, and DC servo motor drives. The flexibility and automation of a CMM are combined with the speed and intuitive use of traditional measurement gauges in this design.

Wide Range of Automation Options

A full range of probing options are available to suit all types of metrology applications, including motorized indexing probe heads and touch-trigger probes, infinite positioning servo wrist heads with long reach probe builds, scanning probes, and single- or triple-stripe laser scanners. A sophisticated selection of software is also available, including LK CAMIO measurement, programming, analysis, and reporting software and Metrostaff’s ArcoCAD metrology software. The Industry 4.0 Metrology Gate portal allows remote access to quality data and CMM status from any internet-connected device in the world.

Image Source: LK Metrology Ltd