MEASUREMENT & MONITORING LIGHTS OUT PRODUCTION
HEXAGON
Hexagon helps Alloy Specialties increase production capacity with ‘ lights-out ’ robotic quality inspection
Robotic quality inspection technology Tempo , from Hexagon ’ s Manufacturing Intelligence division , is enabling aerospace part manufacturer , Alloy Specialties , to increase its production capacity and staff productivity through automation .
Tempo comes from a series of Hexagon products designed to help manufacturers begin automating their quality processes in a way that doesn ’ t require large-scale investment and disruption . The part loading system enables teams to queue multiple inspection jobs and sort rejected parts , and easy operation means anyone can operate a coordinate measuring machine ( CMM ). By using Tempo , Alloy Specialties is able to improve productivity by extending production time , improving labour efficiency throughout the day and aiding ‘ lights-out ’ operations .
Dawn M . DiMauro , President , Alloy Specialties says , “ In 2020 , Alloy Specialties , Inc . became a beta site for Hexagon ’ s new Tempo System . Hexagon ’ s support team has been outstanding and the Tempo system is meeting all our expectations . Currently , we are running one aerospace part exclusively on the Tempo system twentyfour hours a day , seven days a week . As a result , we have seen significant impact in reducing our backlog , increasing capacity , and freeing up other CMMs . We anticipate being able to add additional parts to the Tempo queue soon and look forward to a continued partnership with Hexagon .”
The use of Tempo is part of a continuous push by Alloy Specialties to increase automation and , along with program revisions , has contributed to 50 percent faster quality inspection processes . This , in turn , is enabling the company to reduce costs and meet increased demand . As a result , Alloy Specialties is considering investing in an additional Tempo System in 2021 .
Hexagon ’ s support team has been outstanding and the Tempo system is meeting all our expectations .
There is much to be gained from the implementation of smart manufacturing technologies , such as increased efficiency , productivity and process innovation . Tempo is helping Alloy Specialties free up their skilled professionals , enabling them to take on more work while keeping staff costs down . In the current climate , the need to stagger shifts and schedule jobs with less staff on site can lead to resourcing issues . Making metrology processes more automated and more accessible empowers more agile crossfunctional teams .
Ingo Lindner , VP Stationary CMM Devices , Hexagon ’ s Manufacturing Intelligence division says : “ All too often quality processes are an afterthought when it comes to smart manufacturing investments . Yet , this is a critical element of the manufacturing process and there is much to be gained from employing automation where it adds most value .
“ As Alloy Specialties has found , smaller , incremental investments in the right technologies can have a huge impact . They can enable manufacturers to address the skills shortage by using their staff more effectively , enabling ‘ lights-out ’ production and paving the way for greater capacity and agility across their businesses .”
For further information , please visit www . hexagonmi . com
82 PECM Issue 50