Alliance formalises probing package

A collaboration on the supply of machine tool touch probes and process technologies has been formalised between Renishaw and Hardinge Machine Tools.

A collaboration on the supply of machine tool touch probes and process technologies has been formalised between Renishaw, one of the world's leading metrology companies, and Hardinge Machine Tools, an international leader in the supply of industrial technology solutions for metal-cutting.

As part of the collaboration, cobranded probing solutions will be available globally to customers purchasing a range of Hardinge-Bridgeport CNC milling machines, including the successful XP3 range of machining centres.

To improve the ease of use for customers of these machines, those selecting machines with Fanuc controls will also be supplied with a graphical user interface (GUI) that will simplify shop-floor programming of probe routines.

The probing package available will include a contact tool setting system that allows the setting of tool length and diameter, plus the ability to check for tool breakage, and a spindle-mounted touch probe for part setup and in-process control.

Together these probing solutions will help users to maximise their investment in Hardinge-Bridgeport machines, by minimising setting times, reducing scrap, simplifying fixture requirements, and using in-cycle gauging to improve process control.

To highlight this initiative, Renishaw and Hardinge will be demonstrating the cobranded probe systems on their respective stands at the MACH 2006 exhibition, being held at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham, UK, from 15th to 19th May.

Renishaw can be found in Hall 5, Stand 5572, and Hardinge will be welcoming visitors at Stands 4008 and 5238.

The two companies also plan to explore further areas of collaboration to meet the on-machine measurement and process control needs of Hardinge's expanding customer base, including testing of next generation Renishaw probe technologies.

Commenting on the collaboration, Bob Duxbury, Managing Director of Hardinge Machine Tools said: "We are pleased to have this opportunity to work closely with Renishaw to provide our customers with easy access to technologies that will further increase the performance capabilities of our machining centres".

In response, Sir David McMurtry, Renishaw's Chairman and Chief Executive, commented: "Hardinge is highly respected in the machine tool industry and we see this collaboration as an excellent opportunity to both expand the user base for probes, and give feedback to ongoing R and D projects".

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