Measuring Equipment, Which Manufacturers? Buying All New Laboratory Gages - Devices

[lee01]

Dear Cove friends,

The company I have been contracted for as been bought out by another who intends on bringing in a full set of new machines that will be used in the manufacturing of precision small screws, pistons, and various other turned and machined products. Both the Manufacturing Director and myself (Quality Assurance Contractor) have been tasked on purchasing these machines, Myself concentrating on the Quality orientated equipment. I have my preference and that’s Mitutoyo. The new owners have made it especialy clear that it must come from one supplier. As a result the ‘machining’ aspect of the business will all be supplied by ‘Hardinge’. As for the quality equipment, I need help, I really do think Mitutoyo are the best, the equipment needed will be as follows:

Various handheld measuring equipment (Micrometers/ verniers) some of which need a datalink capability.
Optical shadow graphs (optical projector) (4 off)
Surface measurement devices (4 off)
Height Gauge (4 off) 2 of which need a datalink capability
Granite tables (4 off) Various grades
Plug gauges, screw and ring gauges various sizes
Non contact laser measuring devices (4 off)
CMM machines (2 off) large and small
Slip or calibration blocks (4 off) various grades used for work aids and calibration of measuring equipment

This list must be a salesman’s dream, I have estimated that the cost will be over £200 000! But that doesn’t seem to put the guy off! He wants the best!

Also, do you recommend ‘Hardinge’ machines for both turned and machined highly accurate products, or do you have other ideas or experiences regarding machinery?

Many thanks

Lee01

 

[lee01]

Anyone? Your help is really needed!

Thanks . . . . .

Lee01

 

[Mike S.]

Lee,

Mitutoyo is of course good stuff -- I've used it for many years. But, Mahr-Federal also makes good stuff and it may be a bit more of a value than the Mitutoyo stuff which is premium-priced. If you really like Mitutoyo I'd meet one of their reps and one of the Mahr-Federal reps and let them try to sell you on their products, then you can make a more informed decision. Consider tech support, repair times, local office support, etc. as well as product quality and features. JMO.

 

[Atul Khandekar]

I suggest you also check on the 'connectivity' issue. Do you need to interface these measuring instruments with computers and with data logging/analysis software? I think Mitutoyo solutions use a non-standard protocol and connectivity may be a little expensive. On the other hand Mahr (for example) provides a direct RS232 interfacing capability.
JMO.

 

[CarolX]

hardware/software issues

Lee,

We mad a significant investment a few years ago in the Mitutoyo Measurlink System for data collection. We chose them because they could provide both the hardware and software and we could avoid the finger pointing, although they have tried to blame some glitches on MickeySoft.

Hope this helps a bit.

CarolX