At its factory in Estonia, FLIR — a US-based company that designs and manufactures thermal-imaging cameras — has started producing equipment for use in harsh marine-industry conditions.

To achieve the required IP67 protection rating against dust and water, it is essential that sub-contractors deliver magnesium and plastic moulded housing components of very high quality.

To verify this, the firm has purchased an entry-level ALTO co-ordinate measuring machine with CMM-Manager software from Nikon Metrology (www.nikonmetrology.com).

Various manufacturing processes are used by FLIR’s sub-contractors, including machining, injection moulding and ‘thixo-molding’ (semi-solid metal casting). Margus Leppsalu — technical manager at FLIR Estonia — says that with thixo-molding, magnesium components often have burrs and rough patches that are not acceptable in the finished part, although the accuracy of the holes and slots that form seals in the outer casing of the infra-red cameras is the main area of concern.

“Previously, we used calipers and other basic measurement methods, but they offered only low-level accuracy. Another issue with manual tools was being unable to access and measure deep pockets and cavities in some components. The problem has been solved by the introduction of a narrow probe for use on the compact half-gantry manual CMM; and while the system was originally installed for first-article inspection, it also has benefits for troubleshooting in the technical department.”