Launching at the IMTEX 2015, Renishaw unveiled the Primo twin probe system and Renishaw 3D printing. It consists of radio part setter and radio 3D tool setter with an enabled automated on machine part setting,part inspection and tool setting, aiding to minimise errors, better productivity time and optimising costs. The Primo can be installed and evaluated in a single day.
During the product launch at IMTEX 2015, Colin R Price, director, sales and marketing India, explained, “The Primo is the new entry affordable system that offers users the flexibility of pay-asyou- probe, its six-month renewable tokens allow unlimited use of Primo radio part setter and Primo radio 3D tool setter. Also, we provide credit tokens which are available for continuous use. Further, the Primo is designed to achieve zero error.”
The Primo hardware, which uses radio transmission, is a twin probe system comprising the Primo Radio Part Setter, Primo Radio 3D Tool Setter and Primo Interface. The Primo Radio Part Setter accurately locates a work piece before machining and automatically updates the machine tool’s work co-ordinate system. This method is typically up to ten times faster than manual or offline tool setting.
The Primo Interface enables communication between the system’s probes and the machine’s controller. The radio transmission makes longer communication distances possible. “The feature that sets apart the Primo twin probe system is that it eliminates complex manual setting operation, and reduces setting time to two minutes. There is no need to have extensive knowledge of G code, simple line commands are used,” said Sanjay Sangam, national sales manager. Another primary highlight of this product is that one can use it from a smartphone with the help of an app to monitor and setup of the Primo system.
Renishaw also unveiled its additive manufacturing (3D printing) systems with the new PlusPac upgrade for its AM250 additive manufacturing machine. The company is UK’s only manufacturer of a machine that ‘prints’ metal parts. At IMTEX it displayed the world’s first 3D printed metal bike frame. Renishaw’s laser melting systems utilise an additive manufacturing process capable of producing fully dense metal parts direct from 3D CAD, using a high-powered fiber laser. Parts are built from a range of fine metal powders that are fully melted in a tightly controlled atmosphere, in layer thicknesses ranging from 20 to 100 microns.