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Metrology specialists know accuracy extends beyond surface measurements. Aerospace and defence customers need internal geometry validation, material integrity, and casting quality. The challenge lies in measuring internal features without damaging the part.
Delta XD faced exactly this gap. As a business focused on advanced inspection and metrology, the requirement was clear: introduce a capability that could section complex components with minimal material loss while preserving the integrity of the data. This requirement led them to NCMT and to the implementation of the Makino U6 H.E.A.T. Wire EDM.
Lee Griffiths, Head of Sales & Business Development at Delta XD, explains: “We had a specific requirement to support a customer by sectioning finely detailed turbine components for quality control.”
Traditional approaches relied on multiple cuts or outsourced processes, often introducing inefficiencies and limiting control. “By doing something in one cut versus doing it in four or five, from a metrology and inspection point of view, it’s much less work. You’ve got fewer parts to reconstruct digitally and a more accurate representation of the original component.”
To meet this requirement, Delta XD partnered with NCMT to implement the Makino U6 H.E.A.T. wire EDM. Jon Marshall, Area Sales Manager at NCMT, outlines the starting point: “They needed to cut parts into sectional views for inspection. The key was doing that with the smallest possible kerf, so you don’t lose material.”
For a metrology-focused application, three factors were critical: precision, cutting efficiency and surface integrity. The Makino U6 H.E.A.T. addressed each directly. Jon explains: “The machine will cut to four microns. That level of precision is what makes it suitable for this kind of work.”
The machine can run wires as thin as 0.1 mm, reducing material loss and preserving features. The U6 platform offers a larger workspace than similar machines, enabling Delta XD to handle both small and large components efficiently.
This approach is particularly important for metrology applications. Reduced recast layers and improved surface finish ensure that sectioned components remain suitable for detailed inspection, including material and structural analysis.
For Delta XD, these capabilities unlocked a new way of working. “We’ve developed a process that combines 3D scanning with adaptive machining. We’re independently driving the axes to create complex 3D cut paths, which means we can open parts in a way that simply wasn’t possible before.” Daniel Lainchbury, Chief Operating Officer at Delta XD, explained.
Just as important as the machine itself was the speed and quality of installation.
Jon Marshall highlights the turnaround: as the Makino U6 H.E.A.T. was already in NCMT’s Coventry showroom, they were able to act quickly.
He said: “From purchase order to install was around ten to fifteen days, including training. It was quick and really simple.”
A New Standard for Metrology
Since installation, the impact has been significant. The ability to perform precise, complex sectioning in-house has transformed capability and competitiveness.
Lainchbury notes the immediate effect: “Machine utilisation is high right now and enquiries have grown. We’ve definitely seen an increase in demand for this approach.”
By reducing multiple cuts to a single operation, Delta XD has streamlined inspection workflows. Fewer sections mean improved accuracy and turnaround times.
He adds: “The overall time to complete inspections is much reduced, and the amount of data we can present is greater because we’re seeing more of the part in its original state.”
The partnership has also opened new opportunities. With Delta XD working on high-profile aerospace components. The collaboration highlights a shift in how advanced manufacturing technologies are applied. This is not simply a case of adding machining capability to a metrology business. It is about integrating precision cutting into the measurement process itself.
By selecting the Makino U6 H.E.A.T. and leveraging NCMT’s technical support, Delta XD has bridged the gap between measurement and material reality.
