Quickstep Technologies provides solutions to customers including Northrop Grumman, for who it is an approved supplier for the international F-35 Lightning II JSF programme.
“The JSF programme requires the supply of high-precision composite manufacturing and involves a high degree of precision machining, specifically 5-axis work for parts, and therefore consistency, qualification, documentation and traceability were pre-requisites for this contract,” stated Quickstep Technologies’ specialist manager, Kris Dokka. “Confidence in the machining and quality process was also paramount and we had to be confident that the equipment and processes could deliver the job.
“The parts we produce are complex free form shapes, so workholding is a major issue when using traditional manufacturing methods. Each part has a dedicated composite vacuum fixture with three or four fixed location Tooling Spheres. The centre point of the spheres is known relative to the part geometry and this information is then used to locate the fixture or part in a suitable work offset coordinate system for machining. Prior to using NC-PerfectPart, these datums were generated using standard cycles within the Siemens control. While this achieved results, it was limited in that it was time consuming and open to human error.”
Implementation of MSP’s NC-PerfectPart and NC-Checker software, supported by the use of a Renishaw RMP600 radio probe, provides the detailed information required to monitor the accuracy and capability of Quickstep Technologies’ 5-axis machining, ensuring their machines stay within specified parameters.
NC-Checker first carries out a calibration check on the probe. Once this is complete, it then proceeds to carry out 5-axis checks of the machine tool to check the machine’s accuracy. This produces a benchmark report which shows the manufacturer if their machine is capable of machining parts to tolerance. The software provides detailed results in a comprehensive report and can show precisely where the machine may be under-performing. This check takes minutes to complete, meaning it can be run on a regular basis to provide routine monitoring of the machine’s geometry.
NC-PerfectPart fully automates the datum setting and verification process and therefore eliminates any human error. NC-PerfectPart also removes the need to precisely position the part, saving significant time in setup.
“Automating our datum setting and verification process reduced our part set up time by 50% per part (when compared to the previous method),” added Dokka. “Due to the simplicity of the software, we now have a scheduled fortnightly benchmark execution routine. Assessing the machine using our old methods could take anywhere between two and four days to complete. With NC-Checker, and the use of a Renishaw RMP600 radio probe, we have simplified the procedure greatly and can now complete this check in 1-2 hours, a saving of up to 96%, freeing up valuable machine time and improving productivity.
As the software is used prior to any machining, it provides us with assurance about our processes. We can understand if the machine is still capable of producing parts to the required geometric tolerances. Part analysis can be also conducted before any cutting, eliminating uncertainty and possible costly rework and/or scrap. Last year we achieved a 75% reduction in rework and this year are aiming for Gold.”
Without this ability to map the machine tool with NC-Checker and qualify the accurate position of the component in the machine with NC-PerfectPart, it is virtually impossible to guarantee a perfect part, without significant time and cost implications.
