Hexagon Metrology provides MCT with latest CMM Technology
Mark Renaud of Hexagon Metrology stands with new Coordinate Measuring Machine
Hexagon Metrology, Inc., with North American headquarters in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, is proud to partner with the New England Institute of Technology in support of its metrology education program. Hexagon Metrology, part of an international Swedish company, is providing NEIT’s Mechanical
Engineering Technology (MET) program the latest Coordinate Measuring Machine as well as access to advanced software, PC-DMIS, which is used to take and record measurements. The company is also offering internship positions and engineering technical support to train MCT faculty members and students.
The Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM), a Rhode Island-built Brown & Sharpe ONE, is a programmable measuring robot, capable of automatic measuring of manufactured parts to accuracies within a few millionths of a meter. Already installed, the CMM is capable of measuring features on an existing part to an accuracy of less than two ten-thousandths of an inch. A stylus or probe head is used to "touch off" the features of a mechanical part, the inside diameter of a hole, the curve of surface, or length of a side. The data is captured by the software PC-DMIS which enables an engineer to perform a number of engineering functions. The accompanying control desk includes a computer system, monitor and printer.
Used primarily for instructional purposes, the machine will provide students real life experience with the latest hardware and software in measurement technology. A technology support engineer from the company will co-instruct metrology courses scheduled for the fall 2008 quarter. After the faculty and students become familiar with this machine and software, it will be used to re-engineer parts or take measurements for projects the students are assigned within the MCT program.
Hexagon Metrology is part of Hexagon Measurement technologies, a division of Hexagon AB, Sweden. It is a world leader in multidimensional measurement within the micro segment of the measurement market. Its Rhode Island operation is located at Quonset Point, North Kingstown. The company is the world’s largest manufacturer of dimensional products and software, and it recognizes the importance of training programs such as the one at New England Tech, where students will learn measuring theory and best practices as well as the operation and programming of the machine.
Two NEIT graduates from the Electronics Engineering Technology program and current employees of Hexagon Metrology facilitated the installation of this machine. The company is now offering internship positions in information technology, electronics engineering technology as well as mechanical engineering technology to NEIT students.
Hexagon Metrology recognizes the importance of training the next generation of dimensional metrology professionals as a key factor in maintaining American manufacturing competitiveness. It also realizes the growing need for training in the metrology specialty, which exists across dozens of manufacturing industries from aerospace to automotive to shipbuilding, high tech, defense, durable consumer goods, and many others. Many Hexagon Metrology staff are New England Tech graduates, and the company is pleased to support the school in this important endeavor.
Steven Ackerman and Richard Hinkle, graduates of NEIT, assist with the installation
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