API is all set to give a different metrology experience to Indian manufacturing

September 1, 2021 8:08 pm

We have the best time in terms of product development coming in the next few years.

What scope and the prospects of metrology and calibration services exist during this pandemic unlock phase, as manufacturing was hit due to lockdowns?

COVID 19 has changed the way Manufacturing happens today, purely people getting replaced by automation. Also, the uncertainty around the future waves, is pushing manufacturers to capitalise on the opportunities they have in hand. During the unlock phase, large OEMs, as well as MSMEs and SMEs started investing into Automation and AI based processes.

Portable Metrology solutions using laser tracker and laser calibration are one of the sought-after products in the industries of aerospace, automobile, heavy engineering etc. In one of the recent market studies by ‘Markets and Markets’, the laser tracker market is estimated to reach USD 521.6 million by 2023. With ‘Make in India’ boost and indigenous manufacturing shaping up in defence, quality control, precision measurement and reverse engineering are much in demand and project huge scope for metrology products and services.

Could you detail about measurement & calibration equipment product range and services being offered by API?

API is the inventor of laser tracker and laser interferometer. We have a wide range of products in Metrology solutions including Laser trackers (RADIAN CORE, PLUS and PRO), Portable Arm, Horizontal CMM and Laser Tracker accessories (SMR, vProbe, iScan, Active Target and Smart Track). In Calibration solutions, we have a fully integrated first-of-its-kind interferometer (XD Laser), Wireless Ballbar, Spindle Analyser, Swivel Check. In Robotic Calibration, we have self-orienting motorised Active Target SMR and RoboCal Software along with our RADIAN trackers. We also provide tracker rental, tracker and arm calibration, CMM calibration as well as CNC calibration services.

Brief about Radian laser tracker and its application in the manufacturing industry?

API’s RADIAN Laser Tracker are the smallest, lightest, and most accurate portable trackers in the market allowing both faster and easier measurements. API is the inventor of laser trackers and we have three different models (CORE, PLUS, PRO) with each having its unique advantage. Our laser trackers include unique features like least warm-up time, integrated controller, iVision capability, 0.5micron resolution, mounting ability at various angles, smaller size and lighter weight, compatibility with all essential accessories, etc.

Quality Control is the most important parameter in automotive, aerospace & defence, energy, and power industries. For inspecting and monitoring the quality of the components, assembled parts, and finished products, laser trackers are used for rapid, accurate, and precise measurement.

Which of the manufacturing industries command a high share concerning API products and how do its solutions help in production processes?

Mostly Aerospace, Defence, Energy and Automotive industry commands high share with our products. We worked with HAL, Boeing, DRDL, Brahmos, GE, and many more customers. Also, many Machine tool OEMs have accepted our 6DOF technology to be far better than the old 1 DOF interferometry offered by our competitor.

With respect to Machine Tool Calibration, could you elaborate upon API XD Laser and Swivel Check features?

Machine Tool Calibration is an important aspect for CNC owners. There are various products available in the market. Still, awareness is in the nascent stage. Maintenance of CNC machines and calibrating them yearly help not only in error check and compensation, but also reduces downtime and improves overall machine health. This saves the cost of investing again in a new machine during breakdowns.

API XD Laser is one of its kind interferometers that provide the measurement of six degrees of freedom errors in the linear axis. It also has an all-in-one setup and requires no separate optics resulting in quick alignment.

API Swivel Check provides the measurement of rotary, swivel, and tilt axis without any fixture saving cost and time and ensures high accuracy as the fixture errors and vibrations are minimised.

API also provides ISO 17025 accredited portable metrology inspection and calibration services. Could you substantiate the nature of these services?

API has a state of art calibration lab in India which is capable to serve customers across India and Southeast Asia for calibration and certification of any of their portable metrology equipment’s. It doesn’t even matter what brand of portable arm or laser tracker you have; API has the full capability to provide you the service. API also offers on site

CMM calibration, CNC calibration service for any make CMMS or CNC machines.

What significance do you attach to API, Radian to Verify Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics “Ice Cube” Curling Venue?

The Chinese National Aquatics Centre, also known as the “Water Cube”, and the national stadium “Bird’s Nest” reside on either side of the northern tip of the central axis of Beijing city. The Water Cube is the world’s largest natatorium, designed as the 2008 summer Olympic Games aquatics arena, for swimming, diving, water polo, etc. During the 2008 summer Olympics, 25 world records were set in the Water Cube.

In preparation for the upcoming 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, the Water Cube will be converted into the “Ice Cube”, where curling events will take place. Under this plan, the Water Cube will be the world’s first multi-functional aquatics centre for both summer and winter athletic events.

In order to facilitate the rapid conversion between water and ice, the builders created a high-strength adjustable steel frame at the bottom of the pool, and then precast concrete slabs are laid on the steel frame. Then ice is laid on the concrete slab. The ice will be placed on a support surface made up of 1,568 precast concrete slabs that must be no more than 3mm apart from each other. Outside of that tolerance, there will be flatness errors. Such a tolerance requirement, for an overall area of more than 1250 square meters of the combined plane, requires high precision measurement equipment.

For the conversion of the Ice Cube, API’s Radian Laser Trackers are being used for the flatness inspection of the concrete slabs. API has developed a rapid inspection, guidance, and adjustment solution based on the needs of the project. In this case, the measurement engineer has used Radian Laser Tracker to measure points on each concrete slab. Through the position of several reference points on each concrete slab, the plane position and the deviation of each point are calculated in the software, and the deviation value is used to guide the adjustments to the position of each concrete slab

Recently, API and AMS Pune announced a reseller support agreement. What opportunities do you see with the partnership in serving the Indian manufacturing industry?

API commits unparallel quality inspection and precise measurement to the manufacturing industry. AMS Pune is consistent in the field of metrology services over a decade. With this tie up, we strongly feel that we will be able to extend our service capabilities by outsourcing activities to well experienced AMS team and also will help us spreading awareness about the services we now offer. This will also help us in carrying out more service projects jointly instead of competing with each other.

What other innovative products and services do you plan to develop in the next three years?

API is a company that has highest value for innovation and we never stop developing a product. Currently we are offering the fifth-generation laser trackers the new Radeon series. You may see the 6th generation laser trackers soon. We are also working on various scanning solutions including the new versions of our rapid scan and smart track sensor. API R&D team is developing a complete disruptive technology which would change the way people measure large components. So, we have the best time in terms of product development coming in the next few years.