OGP
REAL-TIME QUALITY CONTROL
Capabilities Indispensable for Aerospace Component Specialist Winbro
An aerospace manufacturer says its partnership with multisensor metrology expert OGP® UK has been a “game-changer” for delivering first time right parts in a highly regulated industry. Winbro Group, a world leader in the design and production of machines and technologies based on non-conventional processes, specializes in producing the miniature cooling holes and forms in components used in the most demanding part of aero and industrial gas turbines.
These holes are critical in allowing internal airflow to prevent overheating during engine operation and, because effective cooling improves component efficiency, this leads to reduced fuel consumption and nitrogen oxide emissions on today’s generation of lightweight, low-noise jet engines.
"OGP offered a full turnkey system, so we were able to give one or two of the components we had just won with our customers and work with OGP for them to develop the software and programs, such that those programs were fully verified with the equipment"
Andy Lawson,
Chief Technology Officer
Winbro Group
Chief Technology Officer
Winbro Group
THE OGP
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
The Leicestershire, UK based firm teamed up with OGP UK in 2012 and now uses three of its SmartScope® systems– a SmartScope Flash™ 302 and two SmartScope Quest™450 models.
Mr. Lawson also said:
"As Winbro’s advanced machining division has gained more and more parts, in both aerospace and industrial gas turbines, we’ve gone back to OGP UK for turnkey solutions. We’ve bought additional programming and help for parts that we weren’t necessarily familiar with, and OGP has been very responsive in that area."
“We already get a much more quality inspection report real time, such that we are no more than one part away from an issue.”
“Ultimately it’s about the speed of inspection versus
production. We’re able to take parts straight off the machine
and then, while the second part is being machined or drilled,
the first part will go into the inspection lab and in less than 10
minutes feedback is given straight to the operator to be able
to control the process."
production. We’re able to take parts straight off the machine
and then, while the second part is being machined or drilled,
the first part will go into the inspection lab and in less than 10
minutes feedback is given straight to the operator to be able
to control the process."
Collecting detailed data and gauging the characteristics of even the most demanding components and features, and doing so faster and more reliably than anything else around, come as standard. Working with more accurate and real-time statistics from a single reference point has proven to be revolutionary for tighter control of production processes, as issues can be identified and remedied immediately. Fewer rejects, minimal rework, and faster product-to-market times are just some of the benefits.
OGP UK’s market- leading multisensor systems synchronize superior optical, laser, and tactile sensors, and automatically select the right sensors for any given task in any given routine. This eliminates the need for multiple traditional measuring systems.
THE RESULTS
Largely thanks to its flagship SmartScope Quest machines – which work to sub-micron precision and unparalleled speed on even the most demanding components – OGP UK has become a key player in industries including medical, automotive, and aerospace. The intuitive ZONE3® metrology software that powers SmartScope Quest systems offers full 3D CAD-based programming to automatically and effortlessly generate measurement routines.
Andy Lawson, Chief Technology Officer at Winbro Group said:
More and more manufacturers are discovering that OGP systems are a must-have for ensuring the levels of precision required in their industry. Our solutions provide live, accurate, consistent, and holistic data in the heart of the production environment, giving businesses total peace of mind that their parts will always be of the necessary standard and therefore leading to significantly increased throughput.
Andy Lawson, Chief Technology Officer at Winbro Group said:
Our experience with OGP over the last eight years has been very positive. We feel as though the relationship is ongoing, as a partnership should be.
