Alba Power, the award winning, global turbine service provider, has invested in ground-breaking 3D technology.
This will continue to pass on cost savings to clients and partners, with the addition of the FaroArm to their base in Netherley, Aberdeenshire. The robotic installation, which acts as a portable coordinate measuring machine (CMM), allows easy verification of product quality by performing ground-breaking 3D inspections, tool certifications, CAD comparison, dimensional analysis, reverse engineering and more. The hi-tech tool will be used to support the inspection team on site in Aberdeenshire and will offer further support services to Alba Power’s global customers.
As an efficient, stress free and all-in-one machine, the FaroArm reduces the need for many hand tools, and offers extremely accurate measurements with the ability to measure almost anything with the hard-touch probe or the laser scanner. The intelligent and user-friendly tool can also create custom programs and input tolerances so that when specific components are measured, the software will generate PASS or FAIL reports.
The new tool will pass a great cost saving to Alba Power’s global customer base. Since implementing the machine in Aberdeenshire late last year, the FaroArm has already saved an average of £32.5K per year with 75 per cent less time spent on the dimensional aspects of inspection, a fantastic saving that over 40 engines have benefitted from.
Chris Field, Production Manager explained:“At Alba Power we continuously strive to provide our customers with premium quality parts and engines as quickly and as efficiently as possible. We decided to look for a measuring technology that would both enhance our accuracy capability and further increase our inspection throughput speed and have been delighted with the results of the FaroArm.”
Chris continued, “Following an intense training period, our team of inspectors were able to quickly understand the FaroArm’s uses. All are now extremely proficient in the FaroArm’s use and we have seen it continue to add value and quality to our work on a day-to-day basis, allowing us to maximise efficiencies and improve processes.”
This cost saving has been further supported by the global company’s investment in a new machinery shop. Having previously outsourced any repair and development of special tooling parts, the new onsite machinery includes a Colchester VS 2500 centre lathe, a Jacobson Surface Grinder, a Bridgeport Milling Machine and a J Archdale Radial Arm Drill that will offer full support for Alba Power’s growing client base and will be hugely beneficial to customers during this difficult economic period.
Managing Director, Terry Alderton commented, “As the market leader of turbine service providers and with our commitment to become a World Class Business, we know that it is vital to our reputation for excellence that we continue to deliver fast turnover times, and products of excellent quality. We feel that this investment will reinforce Alba Power’s commitment to growth, client servicing and being the leading experts in the industry, especially at this difficult time within the industry.”