Blackpool-based Addison Precision, which makes bespoke engineered components and assemblies for customers in a wide range of industry sectors, has invested in a Venturion 450 contactless measuring system from Zoller UK (www.zoller-uk.com) to improve the speed, accuracy, reliability and quality of its manufacturing processes.

It can now carry out the non-contact off-line inspection of all aspects of a tool prior to machining with precise data consistency and control.

Special projects manager Don Hopper said: “We use a lot of PCD-type tools, which can be damaged if touched with metal, so the idea of a contactless measuring system is absolutely brilliant.

“All of our guys are really happy with the Zoller interface; the way they communicate with the machine is via a touch-screen, and they’re amazed at what it is capable of doing.

"It has enabled us to have more accurate detail of what we’ve actually set. We’re measuring tool run-out, which is very important when we’re trying to maintain sizes on reamers and boring bars.

“We’ve come up with a system where we measure the tools with the Zoller and save a file on the network that is downloaded directly into the machine control, so there is no manual operator input — that is a big step forward.

“It’s reassuring that you’ve checked everything, because with lasers, we could only check tool length and the biggest diameter without a lot of additional programming.”