Renishaw fixturing solutions help manufacturers maximize inspection throughput whilst maintaining flexibility

August 2022

Global engineering technologies company Renishaw will showcase its range of modular metrology fixturing on booth 135509 at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) 2022 at McCormick Place, Chicago from September 12th to 17th.

Renishaw offers a range of modular fixtures to hold parts securely on co-ordinate measuring machines (CMMs), Renishaw Equator™ gauging systems and vision systems. Using high-quality metrology fixtures can improve throughput, reproducibility and accuracy of inspection processes with repeatable fixturing set-ups.

Easy to configure and reconfigure

Rapid product innovation and shorter product lifecycles mean that flexible fixturing is more valuable than ever. Renishaw's modular fixturing range is designed for work holding flexibility; components can be configured and reconfigured to secure the latest iteration of a workpiece.

Fixturing components can be purchased in preconfigured kits or individually, providing a quick and easy-to-use fixturing solution. To secure a workpiece of any size, fixturing components are available in M4, M6, M8 and ¼ 20 thread sizes and cast aluminium base plates with NiTuff® hard coat anodised coating.

Maximize inspection throughput whilst maintaining flexibility

To minimize unproductive set-up time, whilst maintaining fixturing flexibility, workpieces can be fixtured on a base plate away from the CMM, vision machine or Equator gauging system. The fixtured workpiece can be loaded onto the inspection device with ease, immediately prior to measurement.

Filling the measurement area of a CMM with multiple fixtured parts is another way to minimize set-up time. Multiple workpieces on the CMM bed can be measured in one batch, without the need to start and stop the measurement cycle to load more fixtured workpieces.

For CMM users that need a fast, easy and repeatable method of loading multiple plates onto the CMM at the same time, Renishaw supplies the QuickLoad™ rail system. The specially designed QuickLoad base plates locate to the QuickLoad rail, on either side, using quick release magnets and location pins. This design ensures the plates are located and secured for maximum throughput and unrivalled repeatability.

Renishaw's FixtureBuilder 3D CAD software can be used to design and document any modular fixture using Renishaw components – including multi-plate fixtures using the QuickLoad rail system. Once a fixture is designed, the software can output build instructions, allowing operators to swiftly and accurately reproduce a fixture design. The software also allows users to export a model of the fixtured component, for use in measurement programming software.

If a modular fixture is not appropriate for a CMM, Equator gauging system or vision application, custom solutions can be designed and manufactured by Renishaw's expert team of custom fixture design engineers. Custom fixtures are ideal for high-volume applications where a bespoke, dedicated fixture is needed.

For further information on Renishaw's range of flexible modular metrology fixtures, visit the Renishaw stand at IMTS, or go to www.renishaw.com/fixturing

For further images, videos, company biographies or information on Renishaw and its products, visit our Media Hub.