Coventry-based Pailton Engineering , a steering-system specialist, has added to its quality assurance (QA) equipment by acquiring a seven-axis Absolute Arm with RS5 laser scanner from Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence.

This offers tactile probing and surface scanning of steering parts, to generate a 3-D image of the product and precise measurements of its geometry.

The laser scanner adds a new layer of QA for customers in safety-critical markets, such as the military- or commercial-vehicle sectors.

Pailton Engineering engineer Matthew Pease) said: “We have the capabilities to measure very large products by creating a ‘Leapfrog’ alignment, using features present or added to a product (www.pailton.com).

"We can move the arm into a new position where we can still reach and re-measure the same features used to create the Leapfrog alignment and gain access to areas on the product inaccessible from the original position of the arm.

"This enables us to move round large products to gain full access to all characteristics that need to be measured.

“All the measurement data can be combined and used to define the actual and theoretical features and characteristics for the geometric dimensioning and tolerancing drawing requirements.

“The information can then be presented in a single report.

“A good example would be measuring a large vehicle, which would require the Absolute Arm to be continuously repositioned to inspect the complete vehicle.”

Pailton Engineering manufactures a wide range of steering parts, including drop arms (pictured), steering shafts and steering columns, which will all now benefit from this boost to QA processes (www.hexagonmi.com).