Lodent precision make toolmaking first

To meet the demands of the ever changing manufacturing world we have yet again invested in the latest and most up to date technology available and become the first UK Tool making company to install an ATOS TripleScan XL system from GOM, Chris Sharratt, a Director at Lodent Precision, is delighted to report.

More than 10 years ago, we invested in CMM Technology for Inspection and touch Probe scanning systems for capturing Reverse engineering data. During the past 2 years, we have witnessed the increase in demand for high quality scan data and fast data capture for Inspection and Reverse engineering applications. 

After making extensive investigations in to the Scanning market and the equipment suppliers, we chose to invest in the technology offered by GOM and The ATOS TripleScan system. The system is certainly top end in terms of technology, capability, flexibility and value for money but it also gives us the data and accuracy we require to meet the demands of our customers. The machine is capable of Scanning from 10 cubic millimetres to 6 cubic metres and beyond with micron accuracy across the range.

Although the majority of our work is from the Automotive sector, our customer base  encompasses many manufacturing areas including Aerospace,  Domestic Appliance, Medical, Motorsport, and Nuclear, to name but a few.  We are delighted to discover that following the installation of the GOM equipment we are now in good company, as most of the world’s major automotive suppliers are already GOM customers.

Since installing the system in the middle of 2014 we have found many applications for the machine and our services. From the Scanning of new Press tools which have been imported without spare parts to the scanning and rapid prototyping of an existing concrete ridge tile, which we can happily say is now being produced in plastic by tools manufactured by ourselves. This is a very exciting and interesting area for us commented Paul Riley, a director at Lodent, we are seeing more tools being imported than ever before. The tools are delivered to the customer here in the UK without any spares to cover for wear or damage. Forward thinking customers are asking us to scan the tools and archive the data for future reference. It’s a great concept commented Paul. We scan and store the data, if the customer has a problem with any part of the tool, we can easily retrieve this information  model and manufacture the part then fit the replacement. This future proofs the tools for the customers without the need for expensive replacement parts sitting in stores for a breakdown or problem which may never happen.

From buttons to bottles, everything is now designed using CAD and the part “has to be to CAD”. Scanning is the only effective method of data capture and verification. Since installing the equipment, the diversity of Customers and applications has been very interesting. Although we now live in a disposable society, as a Country we have been manufacturing for centuries and have a strong and experienced engineering background which enables us to stay ahead of the game, problem solve then repair and replace. Scanning is allowing us to use this expertise but provide a solution not only more quickly but also more accurately. From replacement parts for historic vehicles through to machinery parts which are no longer available. Scanning and Lodent Precision, now have the solution.