Content area
Full Text
What is believed to be the largest coordinate measuring machine in a manufacturing environment in Europe is now operational at Westland Aerospace at East Cowes, Sussex. The L1 million computer controlled DEA Lambda gantry CMM has a measuring capacity of 10 x 4 x 2.5 metres, which matches the capacity of the company's largest and latest autoclave installation.
The Lambda, supplied by DEA (UK) of Swindon, plays a key role in Westland's newly expanded L8 million composite manufacturing facility on the Isle of Wight. Here, it is greatly reducing times needed to measure and scan large components manufactured by the Advanced Composite Structures Division. The CMM is also used to inspect and regularly certify the moulds and jigs used in the composite manufacturing department.
Installation of the DEA Lambda has involved building a workshop which is temperature-controlled within the +/-2degC recommended by DEA. The decision to purchase from DEA was based on the Italian company's user list, its significant experience in building machines of this size and larger, such as the longest CMM ever built in the world with a 36m X axis at Lockheed in America. Further reasons included the particular features of Surfer, a specialized scanning software, and its capability during preorder demonstrations, recalls Duncan Fisher, who heads the specialist measurement department in which the Lambda is housed.
"When we defined the measuring capacity required we found only two companies which had experience of building machines of that size. We also found that our customers were also significant users of DEA equipment, including Boeing, McDonnell Douglas and Airbus Industries based in Hamburg who had been using a smaller DEA machine for more than ten years, with no problems", maintains Duncan Fisher.
Westland's DEA Lambda is a prime feature in the new 50,000 square ft composites area and joins the new plant, including the 4.5 by 10 metre capacity high-temperature autoclave. The total investment was required to support Westland Aerospace's dominance in the turbo-prop nacelle market with customers including Dornier, De Havilland and Saab, also its involvement...