TAKKION’s Remanufacturing Quality Control (QC) and Engineering teams are ecstatic about their investment in KEYENCE’s Wide-Area Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM), which provides the right solution to conventional problems.
Shop floor measurements can be challenging, tedious, and time-consuming. Being in an industry that works with large parts that are difficult to measure, TAKKION QC and Engineering teams sought out inspection methods that were easier, faster, and more consistent to replace the traditional methods that left room for a margin of error.
After extensive research and testing, the team decided on a product model designed for the shop floor, offering mobility and ease of use in this specific environment. The historical methods (micrometer, caliper, and various measuring tools) were replaced with an easy-to-use portable device with outstanding measurement capabilities and cutting-edge augmented reality.
“We’re now able to touch the measurement point with the handheld probe device while a tracking camera identifies its position and orientation with high accuracy and 3D and GD&T measurement,” stated Mike Feltman, TAKKION Mechanical Engineering Manager. “This model has 1.5x the measurement range of conventional models, and previously impossible measurements can now be easily performed.” The auto-trigger function allows for sweeping the probe across surfaces, taking hundreds of data points at a time. The heat map shows high and low areas of surface in real time.
Cooper Eliason, TAKKION Field Service Engineer, added “This model has tremendous analytical capacity for analyzing the part, which allows us to improve our capabilities to reverse engineer and fabricate new components for damaged parts or parts out-of-warranty. When we need to create specialty tooling for the field, we will already have the measurements to design fixes for an array of repairs.”
The team emphasized that they could cut down lead times by 10-12 months with their ability to design parts and create repair solutions independently within their machine shops, drastically improving efficiency and decreasing project costs. Additional cost-savings come into play as this CMM does not need to be sent off for calibration. It can be recertified in-house and is compliant with ISO, AS-9100, and IATF.
“The camera will really help with expedited documentation and much more detailed reporting functionality. It shows you a picture of the actual component and highlights what each part is measuring. We are able to show customers the tolerances of mainshafts, gearboxes, etc. and we can determine whether they’re within specifications or not.” – Paul Terwee, TAKKION Quality Control Manager, Remanufacturing.
TAKKION is currently utilizing this CMM and creating solutions for customers within their two large remanufacturing operations in Sioux Falls, SD, and Enid, OK.
With TAKKION Operations and Repair (O&R), you’ll get: seasoned professionals with extensive experience on all major wind turbine makes and models; exemplary safety program and proven track record; innovative and specialized technologies to help minimize costs; fast, flexible responsive service and easy access; reliable, consistent operations; and services to meet your needs.
Contact TAKKION Remanufacturing for:
- Reverse Engineering
- Repair Solutions
- Fabrication
- Quality Inspection
- Customized fixtures
- Documentation and Reporting