__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Aberlink
five days training, which is impractical for all your machine tool operators.” Marcus explains that the shift toward shop floor measurement also drives demand.“ Coordinate metrology is moving from being the domain of aerospace OEMs to becoming the quality control necessity on the shop floor, next to machine tools. Engineering companies cannot afford to wait until final inspection and find they’ ve been producing scrap.”
In addition, Aberlink’ s recently launched Measur3D manual CMM addresses production realities, whereby fully automated production lines are highly efficient, but lack flexibility.“ Most people require flexible manufacturing and the ability to check first-offs or key features,” highlights Marcus.“ Our Measur3D manual machine is a couple of steps on from Vernier calipers – it doesn’ t make sense to create a CNC CMM inspection program because machine tool operators want to jump on to a manual CMM and quickly check one or two dimensions.”
Chris adds:“ If your software is difficult to use, it simply won’ t get used. We’ re not in the business of supplying manual machines that collect dust.” Regarding vertical integration, Aberlink maintains in-house machining despite decades of offshoring trends.“ It was quite unfashionable to have in-house manufacturing, but we’ ve always bucked that trend because vertical integration means complete control over your own quality,” Marcus reveals.“ It gives you incredibly quick turnaround and I love the fact that it’ s manufactured here on site.” Chris emphasizes the credibility of its new DN solutions machine tools, which were installed in the facility last year:“ We had a recent site visit, and the guests specifically told us it was nice to see Aberlink CMMs being used to measure parts that will be used in Aberlink CMMs.”
When it comes to innovation methodology, the company disregards conventional corporate structure and strives to establish a creative environment.“ I’ ve read
manufacturing-today. com 207