Following its recent move from Lichfield to Burton on Trent, Blum Novotest (www.blum-novotest.com) — a leading manufacturer of measuring and testing technology — has
invested in a Bridgeport GX 710 machining centre from ETG (www.engtechgroup.com) to conduct demonstrations, testing and customer training.

As the centrepiece of the new facility, the GX 710 will be fitted with Blum metrology equipment such as the TC50 workpiece touch probe, the TC54 tool-setting probe, the Laser Control NT-H 3D tool-setting system and the TMAC tool-
monitoring system.

The TC50 workpiece probe has an innovative opto-electronic measuring unit that is said to deliver exceptional results when probing the component in various directions, while the TC54 probe provides in-cycle measurement of the cutting tool to maximise tool usage and machine utilisation.

The Laser Control NT-H 3D measures rotating tools as well as non-rotating tools, using five directions of approach; it was developed to meet the needs of mill-turn centres. The TMAC will protect the machine in the event of broken cutting tools, while providing valuable information about the cutting process; in effect, it measures tool wear in real time.

Managing director David Mold says: “The new facility will enable us to give our customers a comfortable environment for training, product testing and component trials. It has plentiful office space and — most importantly — a demonstration area to highlight why our products are far superior to on-machine measurement products from alternative vendors.”