NTG Invests in third Aberlink CMM

Established in 1979 as a provider of precision tool-room services for local North East business, N.T.G. Precision Engineering (NTG) quickly gained an excellent reputation for the quality of its work and soon established a loyal customer base across a range of demanding industries. Now, following almost 40 years of continuous growth, in addition to serving the N.E. region's precision engineering requirements, NTG has developed into a major supplier to a variety of demanding industrial sectors across the UK, Europe and USA.

Regular investments in state-of-the-art machine tools, advanced production aids and high precision inspection equipment has ensured that the company remains at the forefront of technological advancements and is able to adapt to changing marketplace conditions.

Reflecting the company's highly developed quality ethos, NTG achieved ISO 9001:2008 accreditation in 2000 and have held the prestigious 'World Class' precision machining accreditation from the Gauge and Tool Manufacturers Association (GTMA) since 2008. In addition to regular staff training, regular investments in premium quality inspection equipment also helps NTG to compete in international, quality driven market places.

The mainstay of NTG's quality and inspection provision is its collection of high precision Aberlink Coordinate Measuring Machines. Ever rising levels of business and the need for the company's inspection department to keep pace with increasing levels of production recently prompted the purchase of the company's third Aberlink CMM.

Mark Withycombe, NTG Operations Manager explained. "In addition to other advanced machine tools, our first-class subcontract precision engineering facility is equipped with sophisticated 5 axis machines that are operated by highly skilled, dedicated staff. This enables us to deliver quality components and engineering solutions to the most challenging of both UK and international customers.

"Whether it is a one-off special or batch work, we are able to work from drawings or can also reverse engineer samples to suit all needs. In addition to delivering on time and on budget, NTG's reputation has been built on our culture of providing the highest standards of quality.

"Recent increased levels of production meant that we needed a further CMM for our inspection department. Although we were very happy with our previous two Aberlink CMMs, as other manufacturers machines may have improved, we looked at a couple of alternative CMMs. Satisfied that Aberlink's Axiom too CMM best suited our needs, we were happy to remain loyal to the brand and to place another order.

"Now installed and fully operational, just like our existing Aberlink CMMs, our new, third machine is able to get through large volumes of precision component inspection routines and has removed the potential for delays in our inspection department.

"Given the nature of many of the industries we serve, such as the Oil and Gas, Subsea, Power Generation and Automotive sectors, the ability to offer the highest standards of component inspection is a prerequisite for gaining contracts. In addition to providing the required accuracy and speed, it helps that our three Aberlink CMMs are able to generate the detailed inspection reports demanded by our customers."

The Axiom too is the best-selling CMM from the largest UK owned Coordinate Measuring Machine manufacturer. Aberlink's cost effective Axiom too is available in both manual and CNC variants in a range of capacities and is described by Aberlink as the 'complete inspection centre'. The recently upgraded CMM is ideal for use in either controlled environments such as inspection departments, or within less than perfect shop-floor conditions, as it boasts an aluminium bridge with a very low thermal mass. Thanks to the Axiom too's use of advanced materials, the machine's reduced inertia also results in class leading speed of operation.

Borrowed from the laser optics industry, the CMM's sturdy table consists of an advanced granite/aluminium honeycomb construction, this arrangement, provides natural damping and further improves the machine's thermal properties. Despite the Axiom too's generous X-Y-Z measuring volume (640mm x 600, 900, 1200 or1500mm x 500mm), the machine's compact design occupies a relatively small footprint, with the controller and all peripherals housed within the Axiom too's workbench.

The Axiom too utilises Aberlink's renowned 3D software, ensuring greater user productivity and profitability. A welcome bi-product of any Aberlink CMM inspection routine is that a simultaneous picture of the measured component is created on the computer screen. Dimensions between the measured features, mirroring those that appear on the component drawing, can then be simply picked off as required. In essence this 'smart' software represents an intelligent measuring system that is able to automatically recognise and define the various features being measured. Aberlink 3D is the easiest to use and most intuitive CMM software currently available.