In the manufacturing workflow

FERRATEC GmbH has stood for quality and reliability in the fields of tool and mould making and plastics technology since 1989. The Hösbach-based company offers complete solutions from a single source - from the conception and development of tools, through sample parts and series production readiness, to the assembly of the finished components. The range of activities includes mould making for the company's own plastic injection moulding production as well as tool making for special machines, jigs, cutting tools, series production, assembly and contract manufacturing.

To ensure the highest quality standards, FERRATEC is constantly investing in new technologies, naturally also in the area of quality control. The latest achievement is the SF 87 coordinate measuring machine from WENZEL for workshop use. With a large measuring volume, a small footprint and a wide operating temperature range, the SF 87 meets all requirements for successfulmeasurements in the direct production environment.

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"The SF 87 has a measuring volume of 800 x 700 x 700 mm. This is three times the measuring volume of competing products with a comparable footprint," says René Kunkel, Product Manager CMM at WENZEL. "Further increases in efficiency can be achieved by using more powerful probes and optical sensors," he continues. The SF 87 from WENZEL can also operate at temperatures as low as 30 degrees Celsius. In contrast, conventional CMMs require around 20 degrees Celsius, which is unsuitable for use in production halls.

The SF 87 is used at FERRATEC primarily for the evaluation of dimensional accuracy, shape and position, surfaces and envelopes for parts from the automotive and power generation sectors. The decision in favor of the measurement solution from Lösung was an easy one. "We have already been working successfully for several years with a WENZEL gantry measuring device from the LH series," explains Max Mustermann, Head of QA at FERRATEC. He was particularly impressed by the high quality of the WENZEL products and the fast and good service. "In order to be able to guarantee top products to our customers, we manufacture almost all tools ourselves. It doesn't matter whether you want single pieces or small series. The measuring solutions from WENZEL contribute here to maximum product quality, productivity and satisfied customers," says Mustermann.

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While the LH is ready in the measuring room for highly precise measurements, the SF 87 is integrated in the workflow of the machine tools. "The SF 87 is located in a typical shop floor environment with direct sunlight, which is what it was designed for," reports Kunkel. The next step will be automated assembly and an initial visual check by optical sensors.                                    

"The SF 87 is already pre-equipped for use in production lines and automation solutions and can be easily integrated via the optionally available WENZEL Automation Interface (WAI). The accessibility of the measuring volume from three sides is optimal for automated placement by robots and can be flexibly adapted for more complex tasks," explains Kunkel. The possibility of seamless integration into automation solutions was also a decisive point when the SF 87 received the "Global New Product Innovation Award 2018" from Frost & Sullivan in March of this year.

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