Last month, Renishaw (www.renishaw.com) hosted a UK Automotive Open House at which leading manufacturers heard how the company could improve their manufacturing processes.

The day also included talks from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), Bloodhound SSC and Renishaw’s associate company Metrology Software Products (MSP).

Visitors were able to see the full-scale replica of the Bloodhound SSC car and have a simulated run in the cockpit (using virtual-reality helmets).

They also had a tour of the Renishaw Innovation Centre, where they saw live demonstrations of Renishaw technologies, including: the XM-60 laser-based machine calibration system, which can measure errors in six degrees of freedom; MSP software, which allows the user to quickly check the accuracy of a machine tool’s linear and rotary movements and combine the results into a single report; the Sprint on-machine contact scanning system for CNC machine tools;
the Equator high-speed gauging system; and the Revo-2 multi-sensor five-axis CMM probe.

Visitors also had an exclusive preview of Renishaw’s latest CMM technology for measuring surface finish. Tony Parraman from Bloodhound SSC ended the day by giving an insight into the Bloodhound project and explaining how the latest engineering technologies, including Renishaw’s additive-manufacturing systems, are enabling the world land speed record attempt to become reality.

He also spoke about the project’s focus on inspiring the next generation of engineers through various education engagement activities.