MACHINING & MACHINERY IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY
RENISHAW
Machine tool probing increases productivity for Australian machine shop
When Australia-based machine shop , Hammond Engineering , found that manually setting workpiece positions was time consuming and difficult to repeat , it looked to the potential of on-machine probing . Since using Renishaw ’ s OMP40-2 optical transmission probe , the company has experienced faster set-up times and higher levels of productivity .
BACKGROUND
Hammond Engineering is a machine shop based in Bairnsdale . Its services include computer aided design , CNC milling and turning for production sizes ranging from prototyping to large industrial runs .
“ I started Hammond Engineering to combine my passion for metalwork with my love of IT ,” explained Travis Hammond , Founder of Hammond Engineering . “ After completing my First Class Machinist apprenticeship , I found myself a second hand CNC lathe and went from there . Now , we ’ re a team of three working to provide a more technology focused engineering service than the area has had in the past .”
The company primarily works with customers in the food and aftermarket automotive parts sectors , but also offers general manufacturing and repairs for local industrial businesses .
CHALLENGES
“ When doing general ‘ job shop ’ type work , our team must change machine set ups several times during the day ,” continued Hammond . “ Time taken to make changes , for example to align a vice or set up a workpiece , means time that the machine is not running . In such a small business , lost time is costly , so we started looking for a way to increase productivity , reduce turnaround times and reduce human error .”
86 PECM Issue 53