Celebrating its 40th anniversary in the UK, Mitutoyo recently invited MTDCNC to its Measurement Solution Centre in Coventry to take a look at the new Formtracer Avant C-4500.
Mitutoyo’s Sam Digger told MTDCNC: “This machine is a dual-purpose measuring machine. It has a contour measuring head as well as a surface finish head. This will measure internal or external features and things that maybe CMMs cannot get to. It also can measure surface roughness.”
When asked where the new Formtracer Avant with adjustable measuring force and multi-directional measurement would be used, Sam said: “This machine lends its hand to checking small internal features like threads, radii and angles. Obviously, with things like surface roughness, most components would have a surface roughness call out. So, this type of equipment would benefit any engineering company.”
“We sell a lot of these machines to all types of manufacturers and this includes the production of critical components such as engine components.” Looking at where this new Formtracer Avant C-4500 can assist machine shops, Sam says: “This machine is a compliment to any inspection room. It can measure internal threads that maybe other measurement equipment cannot get into. Surface roughness is now quite a critical factor in the industry, so the ability to measure surface roughness means this machine has it all.”
Alluding to the ease of use, Sam adds: “It’s very easy-to-use, the software is nice and simple and it can evaluate contours and surface roughness. We’ve just had a new feature added to the machine, which is a nice quick release thumbscrew and this means you can change over the detectors very easily. It’s then just a few clicks on the software, and you are away-to-go with the next component.”
“In addition, this machine is very robust and it is designed to be used out on the shop floor and around the machining centres. If needs be, the new Formtracer Avant C-4500 is equally at home in a temperature-controlled environment, but it will work in just about any environment.” Discussing in greater depth the range of machines, Sam states: “We do a very large range of this machine, we sell the Formtracer Avant range, which comes with contour and surface finish modules. You can also buy just the surface finish machine on its own or just a contour machine on its own, but there is the option of retrofitting the other modules at a later date if that became a requirement.”
“We have showrooms across the UK where customers and engineers can come and view these products. We have a facility in Andover, in Coventry, one in Halifax and another in East Kilbride. So, if people would like to come and view this equipment or have a product demonstration, we are never too far away from engineers. Each machine comes as a package, this includes the very latest version of the software, a PC system, installation, delivery, calibration, City & Guilds training by one of our expert trainers and then application support for the life-cycle of the product via our equipment specialists or expert hotline.”