A new innovation, EcoAir, has been introduced by British co-ordinate measuring machine (CMM) manufacturer LK Metrology to lower the carbon footprint of its products. The technology is optionally incorporated into new machines built at the firm’s Castle Donington factory in Derbyshire, UK, or may be retrofitted to CMMs already carrying out measurement and inspection duties in factories, quality control rooms and metrology bureaux. Any make of CMM may be upgraded, provided that it is fitted with an LK NMC300 controller, which is also available from the manufacturer as a retrofit.
Connected to the machine’s air filter set, the EcoAir automatic shut-off unit interrupts the supply of compressed air to the CMM’s air bearings when the machine is idle, reducing consumption by up to 95% and leading to substantial energy and cost savings. The period of inactivity that triggers shutdown can be adjusted to as little as one minute. The CMM remains ready for action, however, and when it is next used in either manual or CNC mode the flow of compressed air resumes automatically.
Such power saving devices help manufacturers to meet regulatory requirements for energy efficiency and support corporate social responsibility initiatives, while reaping the financial benefits of reduced consumption of electricity. Other ecological measures introduced over the years by LK include a reduced thickness of the air bearing film needed to maintain smooth, accurate movement of the machine elements over their guideways. This not only cuts air consumption when the CMM is in use, but also offers three and a half times higher stiffness than standard air bearings due to their wrap-around design. The major benefit is improved accuracy of measurement due to higher resistance to dynamic forces, particularly when tactile scanning or using long probes.
Likewise, LK has for many years incorporated advanced motor control and intelligent power management into its CMMs. The drive motors are programmed to power down automatically when they are not actuating axis motions. Additionally, the design of the machines themselves is environmentally friendly, as they are constructed with moving elements of lightweight materials, such as the ceramic bridge and spindle, which helps to minimise the energy required to set them in motion.
About LK Metrology
LK Metrology is renowned for innovative metrology solutions and services. The company’s products, including coordinate measuring machines (CMM), portable measuring arms and metrology software, are used worldwide to control and improve the quality of manufactured components. Its precision technology underpins the process chain from design, development, production and assembly through to quality assurance in global industries such as automotive, aerospace, defence, motorsport, energy, medical and contract inspection.
Established in England in 1963, LK Metrology has an impressive heritage in metrology dating back to the birth of CMM technology. Founded by CMM pioneer Norman Key and his father-in-law Jim Lowther, LK Metrology is credited with many of the CMM industry’s firsts including the first bridge-type design, first OEM to integrate computers, first to use a touch trigger probe, first to develop inspection software, first to use all air bearings and granite guideways, first to use carbon fibre composite spindles, first to use microprocessor-controlled drive systems, first to produce a truly thermally stable CMM and first to produce a high-accuracy horizontal-spindle CMM.
In 2018, LK Metrology was relaunched as an independent CMM manufacturer after several years as a division of Nikon Metrology. Headquartered in the UK, LK’s CMM development and production are at the company’s facility in Castle Donington. Sales and support offices are located in the UK, North America, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and China, supplemented by a worldwide distributor network.
