LK Metrology is renowned for innovative metrology solutions and services. The company’s products, including coordinate measuring machines (CMM), portable measuring arms and metrology software, are used worldwide to control and improve the quality of manufactured components. Its precision technology underpins the process chain from design, development, production and assembly through to quality assurance in global industries such as automotive, aerospace, defence, motorsport, energy, medical and contract inspection.
LK Metrology‘s range of coordinate measuring machines represents the ultimate in CMM technology. Our CMMs deliver dimension, position and surface measurements within a single system. In addition, a complete range of contact and non-contact measurement sensors provide true multi-sensor capabilities in both trigger and scanning modes. Also, sensors can be quickly and automatically exchanged to optimize measurement results, transparency and throughput within the same program, for all geometric, complex and sculptured surface applications.
CMM stand with standard passive mounts for a stand-alone controllefr. Typical applications are likely to be found in the aerospace, automotive, medical and other industries with demanding metrology requirements.
CMM stand with pneumatic anti-vibration mounts for a stand-alone controller. Typical applications are likely to be found in the aerospace, automotive, medical and other industries with demanding metrology requirements.
CMM stand with standard passive mounts for an integrated controller with keyboard and monitor arm and on-board PC. Typical applications are likely to be found in the aerospace, automotive, medical and other industries with demanding metrology requirements.
The ALTERA S series comprises premium multipurpose CMM with the most advanced capabilities in the small compact class. Typical applications are likely to be found in the aerospace, automotive, medical and other industries with demanding metrology requirements.
The ALTERA M Series comprises very high accuracy multipurpose CMM with the most advanced capabilities in the widest available CMM class on offer today. Typical applications are likely to be found in the aerospace, automotive, medical and other industries with demanding metrology requirements.
Available in 30 different models, characterized by 7 different bridge sections, starting at 8.7.6 with strokes up to 60.20.15
The ALTERA SCANtek5 Series features the widest available range of very high accuracy 5-axis multi-sensor CMM on offer today.
Available on all different models from the ALTERA M , MAXIMA and ULTRA ranges.
The ALTERA SL Series CMM is the most advanced high accuracy system on offer from LK Metrology today.
The LK Metrology Maxima, large bridge CMM range, is based on the same proven design concepts of the high accuracy LK Metrology CMM product portfolio. Continuing the unique use of bonded ceramic materials, for the high performing beam and spindle construction, with near perfect stiffness-to-weight ratio and greater resistance to time, wear and temperature variations; providing consistent performance across all manufacturing environments even for very large-scale metrology applications.
The LK Metrology Maxima, large bridge CMM range, is based on the same proven design concepts of the high accuracy LK Metrology CMM product portfolio. Continuing the unique use of bonded ceramic materials, for the high performing beam and spindle construction, with near perfect stiffness-to-weight ratio and greater resistance to time, wear and temperature variations; providing consistent performance across all manufacturing environments even for very large-scale metrology applications.
The AEROS Series is characterized by an innovative mechanical design that guarantees the continuity of metrological performance in time, ensuring measurement data stability while preventing unexpected maintenance and calibration costs. AEROS is a design equipped with an aluminum alloy Z-axis spindle and a “Single Read” scale system on the X-axis.
The AEROS S Series offers medium to large Gantry CMM that are well appreciated for their excellent structural stability and adaptability. They can be configured according to the requirements of any measurement application and are available in a wide range of sizes. AEROS S is a design equipped with a light aluminum alloy Z-axis spindle and a “Single Read” scale system on the X-axis.
The AEROS P Series consists of large gantry coordinate measuring machines for industrial metrology applications particularly in the aerospace, strategic and energy segments. The specific build strategy of the structure, “Dual Drive” motion and “Dual Read” positioning system on the X-axis beams limit structural deformations during movement, guaranteeing the achievement of excellent metrological performance.
Made for very-large-scale measurement applications the LK Metrology Ultra CMM Series, with its elevated guideways design, offers among the best and most flexible solutions in the industry today for 3D dimensional inspection.
The Ultra Series is available in standard, incremental sizes of 500mm, featuring X-axis up to 16 meters, the Y-axis from 4.5 meters to 6 meters and Z-axis up to 3 meter with larger strokes available upon request.
The outstanding performance of the HC-90, unmatched in the CMM marketplace, gives you bridge machine accuracy, but with the flexibility offered by horizontal arm CMM.
Geometric stability at high speed and high acceleration, as well as resistance to harsh environments, cannot be maintained using designs utilizing aluminum or cast-iron guideways with mechanical bearings. Only the HC-90’s ceramic column and spindle running fully on LK air bearing technology can deliver accuracy unparalleled in the industry.
HD-90 is a heavy-duty ultra reliable high-performance CMM for deployment in production and shop-floor environments, developed specifically for car-body and sub-assembly quality control applications. For the double arm solution the measurement volumes of the two horizontal arms overlap each other by 100mm in order to ensure complete access to all the features to be measured on the component.
The LY-90T Console Design Series sports the horizontal arm installed on guideways side-mounted unto the granite or cast-iron plate allowing for measurement of small, medium and large sheet-metal and plastic components. With the integration of a rotary table, cubic and complex geometry parts from various industries can also be inspected.
The LY-90R Series offers a technically advanced and cost-effective solution for the dimensional control of large components typical of the automotive, land transport and heavy industries. LY-90R is equipped with air bearings both on the Y-axis and on the Z-axis which guarantee high performance and accuracy results. The X-axis guideway can be mounted on the floor or at floor level.
LK Metrology launches the FREEDOM ARM range of 6 axis and 7 axis portable measuring arms – for quality control, on-machine verification, reverse engineering or 3D modelling. Available in three models, three accuracy levels and several sizes in different portable arm configurations with touch probe and laser scanner options.
ARCOCAD is an Application for Dimensional Metrology based on the latest Software Technologies. The modern architecture highlights the following features:
CMM Checking Gauge (CCG); Gives confidence in the accuracy of your CMM, by enabling independent verification of accuracy using regular intermediate checks.
Probing Accessories; A wide range of standard and customised probing accessories are available through LK Metrology. Revo and PHS probing accessories are also available.
Freedom index table, up to 40% more efficient portable arm measurement.
Thanks to VIVID laser scanner technology from LK, the SLK20 provides quality professionals with an opportunity to maximise efficiency when measuring complex surfaces, small details, fragile parts, dark materials and reflective surfaces – by overcoming the limitations of tactile inspection and other non-contact technologies.
The multi-sensor LK Metrology CMMs are equipped with an extensive range of scanning and trigger contact sensors and optical scanning sensors, tool changing automation hardware and software options. A variety of probe heads are supported to allow the application of these sensors.
The newest laser scanner introduces the 4th generation Enhanced Sensor Performance (ESP4). With a high point resolution along a 100 mm wide stripe, the L100 achieves a data collection rate of 200,000 points per second. As the most productive line scanner, it offers double the point resolution, 2.5 x the scanning speed and 30% better accuracy than other scanners. With a projected field-of-view, the L100 makes for easy path planning and the ESP4 means it is the most adept at handling difficult shiny or reflective surfaces. Like other line scanners, the L100 is often used for surface and feature inspection in automotive and aerospace applications. However, its specification makes it the fastest and most accurate multi-purpose scanner, therefor the most proficient tool for almost any application.
The high accuracy laser scanner LC15Dx features a small laser line, and a higher number of points along said line for a higher resolution, to make it the most accurate laser scanner available on the market today. The LC15Dx perfectly suits digitizing compact or detailed objects with higher point density and tighter tolerances, both suited for surfaces and features. Considering this, the LC15Dx is often used for the inspection of high precision parts. The LC15Dx closes the gap between laser scanner and tactile probe accuracy, making it a viable alternative to a tactile probe for an increasing number of high precision CMM applications. In tests, the LC15Dx achieved the accuracy associated with using a tactile probe on a CMM. The probing error of 1.9 µm mirrors the accuracy expected when using a CMM fitted with a tactile probe. Unlike a tactile probe though, the LC15Dx uses non-contact 3D laser triangulation to measure the surface directly and eliminate probe compensation errors.
The LC60Dx Laser Scanner can be used both on a static CMM or an articulated arm offering ultimate flexibility, the all-purpose line scanner ensures quality data collection with optimal cost-performance ratio. Featuring the ESP3 it deals with challenging reflective, shiny or multi-color surfaces. The LC60Dx is often used for surface inspection, troubleshooting and shape validation.
The XC65Dx Cross Scanner utilizes three laser stripe scanners in one sensor. The three lasers are spaced 120 degrees apart and observe the part in question from three angles. By doing this, the XC65Dx can acquire the same amount of data with just one scan than a line scanner would do in three scans. This feature makes the XC65Dx well suited to feature inspection of slots, holes and grooves in sheet metals or items with a large complex surface area. It is often used in automotive BIW (Body-in-White) inspection, gap & flush and driveline casting inspection. Whilst the long standoff Cross Scanner retains the many advantages of the original XC65Dx, it also excels in dealing with accessing difficult-to-reach or obscured areas. By capturing geometries up to a distance of 170 mm (7.1”), the scanner gains optimum access to cavity surfaces of body-in-white structures or can scan over the clamps that hold components in position. For these reasons, the XC65Dx-LS scanner is used a lot on horizontal-arm CMM in the automotive industry.
The TP20 is a compact 5-way, or 6-way, kinematic touch-trigger probe system. The two-piece design, comprising probe body and detachable stylus module(s), connected using a highly repeatable magnetic kinematic coupling. This provides the facility to change stylus configurations either manually or automatically without the need for requalification of the stylus tips, thereby giving significant time savings in inspection routines.
A compact, module-changing probe that uses strain-gauge mechanisms for higher accuracy and longer life than kinematic touch-trigger probes.
At only 25 mm in diameter, and with a range of scanning and touch-trigger modules, the SP25M is the world's most compact and versatile scanning probe system.
Each of the heads in the PH10 motorised probe head range is a general purpose, versatile unit designed specifically for use on direct computer controlled (DCC) coordinate measuring machines (CMMs).
The REVO system uses synchronised motion and 5-axis measurement technology to minimise the dynamic effects of CMM motion at ultra high measurement speeds. This is achieved by letting the REVO-2 head do the fast demanding motion while the CMM moves in a linear slow fashion. The use of a flexible tip-sensing probe further adds to the system's accuracy and performance. The removable probe system, used in conjunction with a low cost changer, provides added system flexibility.
Unlike conventional touch-trigger measurement methods which rely on speeding up the motion of the CMM's 3 axes to measure quickly, PH20 utilises the head motion technology developed for the multi-award winning REVO system to minimise the dynamic errors of the CMM at higher measurement speeds. PH20's unique ‘head touches' allow measurement points to be taken by moving only the head, rather than the CMM structure. Points can be taken faster, and with improved accuracy and repeatability. Furthermore, 5-axis motion eliminates time spent indexing the head. Together these speed increases typically result in a 3-fold improvement in throughput over conventional systems.
In an ever expanding range of multi-sensor and multi-software solutions the Deva 2D Vision probe is a new plug-and-play application for LK CMMs, equipped with CMM-Manager, which will be of particular interest for those customers in the electric vehicle industry and similar applications.
Just over 50 years ago, LK Metrology delivered its first coordinate measuring system into the aircraft engine industry. The system featured several firsts in the metrology industry. Not only was the CMM the state-of-the-art technology for 1969, the system also featured a mini-computer with in-house written inspection software. Together with the Customer, LK Metrology went on to develop the first ever touch-trigger probe. In the years following, it went on to become the industry standard. These innovation are still being marketed worldwide today. Today, LK Metrology is one of the foremost suppliers to the Aircraft and Aerospace industries, providing efficient and absolute accuracy at all the major OEMs for propulsion systems as well as critical structural components and panels.
Medical devices are extremely critical to produce to exacting standards. Reproducible, traceable examination and dimensional measurement of key items to specified tolerances play a major role in ensuring the reliable and repeatable performance required. Due to the high item cost, it is imperative to avoid rejection of lots or batches. The quality of raw material and components also needs to be certified prior to release from incoming inspection in order to provide a complete audit trail for regulatory purposes. Among the main customer requirements, we have experienced the need to avoid destructive testing of expensive prototypes and unique implants, reduction of lengthy dimensional inspection processes of complex shapes with comparison to CAD and the performance of automated measurements for high volume production. Another added benefit from the LK Metrology product portfolio is high performance reverse engineering supported by the application of non-contact laser scanning. For some medical components, such as knee or hip implants and hearing aids, the shape of the component is crucial for fast patient recovery and maximum comfort. LK Metrology‘s software and sensor solutions are a well established benchmark in this specialty segment.
In a time when power and energy are of crucial necessity to the development of the current level of technology, this segment has become of strategic interest to both the developed and devloping nations. Quality and efficiency are of extreme interest where in most cases this sector involves the production of extremely critical components in terms of precision and cost. Other than the well tested traditional ways of generating energy and power, interest has grown in renewable energy projects where the accurate dimensional inspection of components ensure these products are produced to the high-quality standards desired. Windpower generation towers, turbine blades, turbo chargers, impellers, hydraulic pumps, compressor screws and numerous other components require dimensional verification using technologies such as those provided by LK Metrology.
Just over 45 years ago, LK Metrology delivered the world’s largest moving bridge CMM to the automotive industry, and in the same year, designed, developed and delivered the world’s first horizontal arm CMM. During these early stages of CMM development, these “state-of-the-art” systems featured a mini-computer to include the in-house written inspection software package called LK CMES. Today, LK Metrology is one of the foremost suppliers to the automotive and land transportation industries, providing absolute accuracy in time to all major OEMs, with dedicated solutions from powertrain to sheet-metal applications.
Automated control of multiple systems in a single cell.