A new innovation, EcoAir, has been introduced by British co-ordinate measuring machine (CMM) manufacturer LK Metrology to lower the carbon footprint of its products. The technology is optionally incorporated into new machines built at the firm’s Castle Donington factory in Derbyshire, UK, or may be retrofitted to CMMs already carrying out measurement and inspection duties in factories, quality control rooms and metrology bureaux. Any make of CMM may be upgraded, provided that it is fitted with an LK NMC300 controller, which is also available from the manufacturer as a retrofit.
Connected to the machine’s air filter set, the EcoAir automatic shut-off unit interrupts the supply of compressed air to the CMM’s air bearings when the machine is idle, reducing consumption by up to 95% and leading to substantial energy and cost savings. The period of inactivity that triggers shut-down can be adjusted to as little as one minute. The CMM remains ready for action, however, and when it is next used in either manual or CNC mode the flow of compressed air resumes automatically.
LK has further reduced the carbon footprint of its CMMs by introducing optional EcoAir technology to minimise the consumption of compressed air.
Such power saving devices help manufacturers to meet regulatory requirements for energy efficiency and support corporate social responsibility initiatives, while reaping the financial benefits of reduced consumption of electricity. Other ecological measures introduced over the years by LK include a reduced thickness of the air bearing film needed to maintain smooth, accurate movement of the machine elements over their guideways. This not only cuts air consumption when the CMM is in use, but also offers three and a half times higher stiffness than standard air bearings due to their wrap-around design. The major benefit is improved accuracy of measurement due to higher resistance to dynamic forces, particularly when tactile scanning or using long probes.
The EcoAir automatic shut-off unit (pictured left) in the CMM’s compressed air line stops the supply when the machine is idle.
Likewise, LK has for many years incorporated advanced motor control and intelligent power management into its CMMs. The drive motors are programmed to power down automatically when they are not actuating axis motions. Additionally, the design of the machines themselves is environmentally friendly, as they are constructed with moving elements of lightweight materials, such as the ceramic bridge and spindle, which helps to minimise the energy required to set them in motion.
