Barron Industries Installs High-definition Laser Scanner, Saving Time and Cost
Barron Industries adds new innovative quality control technology to become better, faster, and leaner in manufacturing engineered metal components for aerospace, defense and industrial markets.
The investment casting company has expanded its engineering and inspection capabilities with the addition of a new FARO Quantum S 7-axis, high-definition laser probe scanner, and 8th-axis rotary platform.
Certified to the latest ISO standards, the innovative portable coordinate measuring machine (PCMM) allows Barron to easily verify casting quality by performing 3D inspections, dimensional analysis, CAD comparison, and reverse engineering while saving time and reducing scrap and rework costs.
“With the addition of our new 3D scanner, we can quickly gather key data on complex patterns and castings,” said Greg Barron, VP Engineering and Quality. “This enables us to share critical information both internally with our process engineers, as well as with our customers, within hours.”
The FaroArm is a 3D measurement and imaging portable CMM machine. It provides faster, more accurate 3D documentation.
The new FARO ScanArm reduces cost and time
The FaroArm is a 3D measurement and imaging portable CMM machine. It provides faster, more accurate 3D documentation, thus reducing rework cost and scrap. The FAROBlu HD is the laser scanner that powers the arm. This scanner has great coverage, high-speed point capture, and greater resolution. It is capable of scanning complex, dark and reflective materials at the same rate. This enables the arm to be an ideal CMM for noncontact measurement applications, reverse engineering, and inspections. Along with the laser scanner, the FaroArm uses an 8th Axis scanning platform. This platform rotates, reducing scan time. FARO is certified to international metrology measurement standards of ISO 10360-12, ISO 10360-8 and IEC 60068-2.
“The advanced PCMM allows Barron to see if there is any warping or distortion in patterns or castings,” said Greg Barron. “Patterns can be corrected before cast and castings can be corrected before machining. It also allows us to measure curved castings or parts with complex geometry more efficiently than probing points on a traditional stationary CMM.”
This new state-of-the-art dimensional testing technology is now preferred for highly-engineered metal components for aerospace and defense applications.
“Many of our aerospace and defense customers are requesting this technology for measuring casting dimensions,” said Barron. “As they move towards model-based product definition (MBD), they have the geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) incorporated in the model to eliminate drawings.”
Barron team members are trained in the PolyWorks 3D metrology software which maximizes productivity, quality, and profitability when integrating 3D measurement technologies into the casting manufacturing process.
The PCMM is the latest in a series of new upgrades to Barron’s facilities, technology and certifications
Over the past year, the company has increased its floor space with the addition of a new 10,000 square-foot building, achieved NADCAP Welding certification, and installed new investment casting equipment.
“Essentially we’ve added capacity and moved some of our processing operations into the new building, opening up space in our existing main building for more machining and casting finished operations,” said Bruce Barron, President and CEO.
The new facility houses a 325-kilowatt induction melting unit, a $300,000 piece of equipment manufactured by Rancocas, N.J.-based Inductotherm Corp., as well as a high-pressure water jet blast system, Barron said. “We have now expanded our engineering and inspection capabilities with the addition of the FARO Quantum ScanArm laser probe scanner and 8th-axis platform.”
In addition to the equipment upgrades, Barron is also now certified for welding by the National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program (NADCAP), ensuring the company meets the high-quality standards of the aerospace industry. Barron performs welding in conformance with the ASME Section IX of the Boiler Code, AWS D17.1, as well as requirements for Ballistic Steel Welding.
Already NADCAP certified for non-destructive testing, the new welding certification increases Barron’s aerospace investment casting capabilities. Also registered to the AS9100 aerospace quality system, the company has received GE Aviation Certification.
“With our newly acquired NADCAP and GE Aviation certifications, we’re prepared to meet the stringent standards of the aerospace industry,” said Barron. “Plus, our recently acquired NIST 800 certification ensures Barron’s preparedness in serving its aerospace and defense customers that need to maintain information security throughout their supply chains.”
ABOUT BARRON INDUSTRIES
Founded in 1983, Barron Industries is a NADCAP Accredited and AS9100D Certified manufacturer of high-precision Investment Castings, machined components and complete assemblies. Barron offers complete turnkey product manufacturing of components for Aerospace, Defense, Automotive, Oil and Gas, Nuclear, Medical, and other commercial industries. Capabilities include CAD engineering, rapid prototyping, CNC machining, plating, painting, assembly, laser etching, and shipping from our facilities in Oxford, Michigan. Ferrous and non-ferrous alloys poured include Class II armor, stainless steels, tool steels, aluminum, cobalt, and nickel-based alloys. LEARN MORE