Renishaw: Forefront of precision measurement system

This easy-to-install probe system is designed for the Asian market that makes it easy for manufacturers to take their first steps towards higher value production by automating their operations and achieving repeatable processes.

Over the last 30 years, Asia’s share of the worldwide GDP has almost doubled to around 45% of the global economy. During the period manufacturing has been one of the major engines of growth. Across the region however, the old model of growth – based on high volumes, low margins, and lots of manpower to produce cheaper products is reaching its limits.

It is being constrained by rising wage costs, shortages of skilled labour and fierce international competition. All too often, the result is a race of the bottom on pricing.

Steve Bell, General Manager of Renishaw (Singapore) Pte. Ltd shared to INTERNATIONAL METALWORKING NEWS FOR ASIA the reasons behind the design and creation of this new entry-level system, how it can boost business and move to higher value manufacturing.

Precision manufacturing

“Big automotive companies know what a probe and a toolset are, including the benefits they can bring. However, some of the smaller subcontractors with few or more machines may not understand or see the benefits of a probe.”

Renishaw market research found that some subcontractors had concerns about introducing machine tool probes to their operations, namely that machine tool probes were expensive, hard to use and fragile.

Steve explained, “We did a lot of market research in the beginning. Trying to find out from medium-sized companies what would be their reason for not buying probes. We got three main answers: First, it is too expensive. Therefore they don’t want to make the investment. Second, it is too difficult to use. They believe that it’s too high-tech. Third, operators are very scared because if there is an accident on the machine; for example they crash them, it will be very costly to fix since it’s a very expensive item. And they think that they will be in big trouble.”

He added, “With these answers from the people who are not using our product, we designed Primo machine tool probe system with a unique pay-as-you-go model.”

Pay as you go

“First of all the initial price of Primo is very low. So this answers the first concern, which is the “cost”. The probe has a pay-as-you go machine tool probes with token that last for six months,” said Steve. 

Instead of a long-term contract or commitment, you buy and activate a 6-month Credit Token which enables unlimited use of the Primo system during that period. Once the credit expires, simply purchase an additional credit token to extend the system usage by another six months. New credit can be inserted at any time and it is added to the remaining credit.

This new innovative approach to providing machine tool probe technology offers new users a number of advantages such as, affordable initial investment, fast payback, protection against accidental damage with Primo Total Protect.

Easy to use

Responding to the second concern, which is difficult to use, is a free self-study training and new simplified GoProbe Software.

Every GoProbe software, is a simple all-in-one probing solution for part setting and tool setting uses single-line commands. The GoProbe training kit is a comprehensive self-study package, which assists you in the programming of a wide range of operations using GoProbe software such as: ensuring the system is ready for use; setting up parts; setting tools (length-diameter); and measuring and inspecting component features.

A range of training tools and modules guide you through everything you need to know in order to get the most out of your Primo system. A GoProbe app is also available for your smartphone. Using the interactive app, simply select your part’s features and required variables to generate your single-line command.

Total protect

“For the third concern, companies are worried about damaging the equipment. No need to worry because with the ‘Primo Total Protect’, there is protection against accidental damage. So there is peace of mind,” Steve explained.

The Primo Total Protect is valid for the duration of a 6-month Credit Token once the token is registered on the Renishaw website and provides cover against accidental damage. If any hardware element of the system is damaged Renishaw will replace it immediately, free of charge.

Primo Total Protect is another Renishaw innovation that gives manufacturers peace of mind and leave them free to concentrate on controlling their process and costs.

Conclusion

“All of these help us get to the smaller customers, and to give them the confidence to try and use the probe. We are confident enough that if they use the probe they will see the benefits of eliminating scraps, reducing setting times, lower costs and rising up the value chain. And if the customers understand how to use it and are very willing to use it, they can react faster to changing orders,” he finally added.