BUILDING THE BOTTLE AROUND THE SHIP

Kennebec Technologies, an Augusta, Maine-based precision parts machining supplier has applied CMM measuring technology for many years, as their business expanded into the aerospace industry, where they have become a valued source for machining thin-wall, exotic-alloy and complex geometry castings.

Harvey Smith, Kennebec vice president of operations says, ?As an AS9100 certified aerospace supplier, we produce parts for almost every commercial and military engine or airframe. We stay right on top of the new developments, technologies and materials used in the global aerospace industry. CMMs are a necessity for maintaining the strict aerospace quality levels and the Wenzel equipment has helped do just that.?

Mike Craig, Kennebec quality manager, recounts, ?We purchased our first CMM in 2006. It was a Wenzel LH 8.10.7 bridge type machine equipped with OpenDMIS software. This system was ideally suited for the 18 in envelope that we knew would meet the majority of sizes of parts we typically produce. Originally, we were sold on the high degree of craftsmanship that this CMM possesses. We particularly like the fact that the machine uses Impala black granite as the base. We?re well aware of the thermal stability, low moisture absorption, load carrying capacity, natural vibration dampening and high modulus of elasticity that the black granites have."

In addition, engineering has been extremely pleased with the OpenDMIS software. Their technicians commented on how easily the software integrates CAD data with the CMM programming and measurement process. The software has easy drag-and-drop features from the database area that lets the user move that information into an adjacent programming window that automatically generates the underlying DMIS 5.0 code together with the probe and alignment definitions. With the kind of complex part programs being worked with here, the OpenDMIS software helps the plant to significantly reduce programming time while allowing the technicians to first visually simulate the measurement process and avoid any possible collisions.

Craig adds, ?Early in 2009 we had capital equipment discussions about adding another CMM to our Quality Department. Coincidentally, that was just about the time we heard about a Wenzel X-Orbit 10.20.7 CMM from Xspect Solutions (Wixom, MI) for which another customer had decided not to purchase. At the time, we did not have adequate space to accommodate the larger machine, but we couldn?t pass up the price . . . and in the long run it would give us measuring capability for larger parts. As a result, we ended up building the bottle around the ship. We retired our other older CMM, expanded the inspection facility in the plant and standardized on the Wenzel CMM equipment with OpenDMIS software. Currently, our one CMM technician is operating both CMMs with ease."

The X-Orbit 10.20.7 is one of the new economical lines of CMMs that is designed and built to intrinsic accuracy and to exacting and rugged machine tool standards. It has a measuring range (X-Y-Z axes) of 39.4 in x 78.8 in x 27.6 in, with a measuring speed of 700 mm/sec and a maximum acceleration of 2,000 mm/sec2. This system utilizes the industry standard Renishaw TP 20 probing system and offers volumetric accuracy of 2.5 microns.

Xspect Solutions, Inc. is headquartered in Wixom and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wenzel GmbH of Germany. This distributor is the Number 3 supplier of both traditional CMMs and GMMs(gear measuring machines) to the North American metrology market. Wenzel GmbH manufactures intrinsically accurate inspection systems that negate the need for the huge error compensation files to achieve quoted accuracies which have become the norm for most manufacturers in past years.

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Kennebec Technologies, Augusta, ME 04330, 207-626-0188, www.kennebec.com, email Harvey Smith, harvey.smith@kennebec.com.

Xspect Solutions, Inc., 47000 Liberty Drive, Wixom, Michigan 48393,(248) 295-4300, Fax: 248-295-4301, www.xspect.com, email Jim Krug, jkrug@xspect.com.