Metrology Institute and training centre, backed by Mitutoyo and Carl Zeiss GOM, to be launched later this year.
RGC Engineering delivered its first Carl Zeiss GOM system to a client back in 2006. Since then, the company has been regularly equipping local companies, and in particular the automotive OEMs and first-tier companies, with Carl Zeiss GOM instruments and systems.
Aurelio Grech-Cumbo explains: “Today’s modern manufacturing machinery can achieve very high degrees of accuracy. Nevertheless, workpieces continue to suffer from undesired deviations in their nominal dimensions and geometries. To limit the resulting quality losses and cost increases, manufacturers and metrologists rely on tolerances. Tolerances define what deviations from the nominal value are acceptable and when a component is considered ‘not OK’ and thus unusable without improvement.”
Today’s modern manufacturing machinery can achieve very high degrees of accuracy. Nevertheless, workpieces continue to suffer from undesired deviations in their nominal dimensions and geometries. To limit the resulting quality losses and cost increases, manufacturers and metrologists rely on tolerances. Carl Zeiss GOM Metrology specialises in industrial 3D coordinate measuring technology, 3D computed tomography and 3D testing setting standards in 3D optical metrology
“Metrology plays a vital role in industry to help ensure the success of products delivered to the marketplace and whether they are to be considered OK. From design and prototyping to production and quality assurance, metrology facilitates conformity to design specifications and production efficiencies – whose absence would spell disaster for any business as an ongoing concern.”
Metrological tools
“Various metrological tools exist to provide engineering and production-oriented measuring capabilities, each with its use cases and application trade-offs. Historically, metrology inspection was handled by a separate team and performed outside of the production flow (offline). Whilst numerous measurements are still conducted this way, automation is an essential goal for production. To meet this goal, inline metrology tools are progressing in their capabilities. The main goals of inline metrology tools are typically increased efficiency through less waste and lower costs with an overall increase in end-product quality.”
Benefits of metrology
“By offering high-speed, accurate and precise measurements, industry can continue to support production capabilities to benefit shareholders and customers. With increasing inline capability, metrology can leverage techniques such as increased sampling rates, real-time reporting, the Internet of Things and machine learning to increase quality, lower costs, and increase profit. This will support the ability of industry to repeatedly produce high-quality components and products time and time again.”
“With this pedigree to back us we have now installed 15 systems in the local automotive industry – 13 of them stand alone, one alongside a line and one in-line. Ford Southern Africa, BMW, Mercedes, Nissan, VWSA and Atlantis Foundries, part of the Daimler Truck Group, all have systems running.”
“We know that the majority of the automotive OEMs and first-tier suppliers in Europe have Carl Zeiss GOM instruments and systems, ensuring that components’ geometries are within specified tolerances to achieve quality assurance. Accuracy and precision are taken very seriously. The overall safety of a vehicle, the product’s characteristics and economies of scale in production depend on it.”
“The automotive industry fundamentally relies upon accurately producing and fitting components to provide a vehicle that can offer safety and value for money. It is a dynamic industry, which changes year on year, and the how and when of measuring is critical to the efficiencies and effectiveness of design and production.”
“The automotive industry has made significant strides in recent years due to technical advancements. As such, competition and safety requirements mean that the industry needs to continuously seek improved tools to aid its success through science and engineering. The metrology industry is a crucial provider of such tools. Ever since the days of Henry Ford, the automotive industry has been pivotal in advancing manufacturing technologies. Metrology has grown with it to provide the accurate and precise measuring capabilities needed to engineer and produce vehicles.”
“GOM GmbH has been part of the ZEISS Group since 2019. Part of the ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions division, the company changed its name to Carl Zeiss GOM Metrology GmbH.”
“Carl Zeiss GOM Metrology specialises in industrial 3D coordinate measuring technology, 3D computed tomography and 3D testing setting standards in 3D optical metrology. The company assists customers worldwide to increase product quality, optimise processes and produce more efficiently.”
“With this pedigree to back us we have now installed 15 systems in the local automotive industry – 13 of them stand alone, one alongside a line and one in-line. Ford Southern Africa, BMW, Mercedes, Nissan, VWSA and Atlantis Foundries, part of the Daimler Truck Group, all have systems running.”
“The benefits are too numerous to mention but a few select words such as speed, accuracy, non-contact and very useful data processing in real time, should pique the consciousness.”
The automotive industry fundamentally relies upon accurately producing and fitting components to provide a vehicle that can offer safety and value for money
“The automotive industry has undergone many changes over recent years, and new technologies are influencing production processes with the aim of making manufacturing more efficient. The implementation of robotics on the assembly line is among the best-known examples of this ongoing development. Also, in industrial metrology, there are new technologies that lead to faster and more efficient processes. The automotive sector benefits particularly from this.”
“New designs, such as autonomous and electric vehicles and new production capabilities, such as robotics, will place different requirements on the industry. Metrology is well placed to meet these new requirements and continue its vital role.”
“To meet these requirements, the automotive industry and, consequently, industry, relies on 3D metrology and 3D testing within the entire manufacturing process chain.”
Metrology Institute and training centre: Mitutoyo and Carl Zeiss GOM Metrology backing
“For many years RGC Engineering has been offering measuring and reverse engineering services. The foundry and plastics industry have made particular use of this service.”
“However, we have found that there is very little training offered for metrology in terms of measuring technology and quality control. Yes there is a metrology institute in terms of mining materials and unit standards but nothing covering the actual physical measurement of metal and plastic components.”
“We have also wanted to start our own training school come training centre/academy for many years. We are now in an advanced stage of setting up the centre and we will open it in mid-year.”
“South Africa is at a crossroads of a significant educational and vocational transition as it shifts from the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) to the Occupational Qualifications Sub Framework (OQSF) managed by the Quality Council for trades and Occupations (QCTO).”
“Our learnerships and qualifications that were once standard may no longer fit within the QCTO implementation strategy.”
“However, the major news is that we have the support and backing of our two main principles – Mitutoyo and Carl Zeiss GOM Metrology. They will be getting involved in providing learning aids, materiel and equipment.”
“One of the biggest trends in the measuring and quality industries is the move towards wireless communication when using the everyday tools that have digital functionality. We will be able to teach the learners how to use these tools and many others for the future.”
“We are very excited about this development.”
For further details contact RGC Engineering on TEL: 011 887 0800 or alternatively visit www.rgcengineering.co.za
