Tekniker takes measures for the sector

The Centre Tekniker technological account among their services with a specifically designed area to the dimensional metrology. In this laboratory, measuring is a specialty, and is as well as understand this companies that hire their services, mainly from the automotive and aeronautics, Assistant sector machine tools or equipment. In short, all those that you are ahead in terms of quality requirements.

A little history

Metrology Laboratory of Tekniker, which now has a team of 15 people created by 1985, virtually at the same time the Centre itself as a laboratory of technical assistance for the metalworking sector. Initially the intention was the work in two areas in which there was a greater demand, namely: verification of parts and verification of machine-tool. He began by buying a machine measurement of three coordinates for the verification of pieces and a system of Laser interferometry  for the verification of machine-tool, as well as a number of other teams conventional.

From there began to respond to the needs of the industry. Verification of pieces is It was to respond to the needs of clients both in the process in final for issuing checks the relevant certificates of quality of the pieces... "By" then -explains Antonio Gutiérrez, Manager of the operating unit of Metrology of Tekniker -  existed a  important demand of verification of machine-tool, given that began to be used for form massive machines  with numerical controls. Therefore, we worked as both with manufacturers machine tool in our environment, as with the users of the same"."

Towards the end of the Decade of the 80 identified the need for enterprises to perform calibrations of patterns and equipment  as There was a greater implementation of ISO 9000 standards. "Note" that should be prepared to provide calibration services and us We decided to start in this field. -continues Antonio Gutiérrez -  1989 us credit for what then was the Agency Argentinean Spain, calibration system calibration centres Industrial of the Ministry of industry, so we were qualified to issue certificates"."

In this sense, it is interesting to note, that continuing with the vocation of leadership. Tekniker was the first Center Spain in accredited according to the new standard ISO 17.025 calibration of accreditation of laboratories, which brings together the requirements of the EN 45000 for laboratories and the ISO 9000 quality system management and which certificate should obtain all metrology laboratories accredited, by 1 January 2003.

The demand for calibration of patterns and equipment has been growing gradually, to the extent that today Nowadays 80% of the activity of the laboratory of metrology Tekniker It is practically calibration activities.

A laboratory and three areas of action

The  is current activity of the laboratory of metrology Tekniker divided into three areas:

(a) calibration

It is their main activity and to represent 80% of its activity. When a company carries out verification machines or parts  search the checking that a given product or element is within the specifications that correspond. This use of measurement equipments that, logically, it should be well contrasted. It is absolutely necessary Learn about the ability to measure or the precision with which can measure these teams. To this end, a team must be checked with the appropriate patterns and This is precisely the calibration: in comparison with a particular pattern to see how this team is wrong or what its uncertainty. Calibrate the equipment is a technical necessity and a requirement that already appears in the ISO 9000 standards. Antonio Gutiérrez adds that "the" companies must have their calibrated equipment and it is our function. In the dimensional area, practically calibration of everything we do type of equipment, and patterns and have the corresponding accreditation. Any certificate issued by Tekniker has fully valid in all countries "that they participate in the European system of agencies of accreditation EA"

Pick patterns any  (longitudinal) (cylindrical, angular, roughness, etc). but also machines measure, tables of flatness, profile projectors  and all kinds of elements, such as micrometers, comparators,  calipers for all types... At the end of 2001 to be carried out about some 8,000 certificates for over 600 companies, with a annual growth of between 15-20% annual"."

On the other hand, view the need for  business for some advice in the field of application standards, etc., this laboratory in its activity of dissemination, advice to the companies with regard to policy or other matters relating to the Metrology and calibration,  at the same time taught training courses.

Tekniker has dedicated traditionally to the Metrology in the metalworking field and, in as a result, has always focused on dimensional metrology. But in the field of metrology are companies whose metrology equipment no dimensional pressure gauges, testing machines, dinamométricas keys or equipment in the area of temperature  and electrical, etc. that require a comprehensive calibration service. By this reason, Tekniker originally reached an agreement with Labein,  focused on various metrological activities of her dimensions, for to complement their capabilities and thus offer an integral service to the companies.

In the year 2000, the above agreement previously,  was extended with the participation of Mondragón information systems. The three have Metropack, created to offer a comprehensive service that allows that the company completely forget the calibration.

(b) verification of pieces

Tekniker verify all kinds of pieces, from small to very large, by checking dimensional levels, angles, etc., the macrogeométrica verification of  forms and the microgeométrica, colloquially known as errors roughness.

This has a set of teams which are machines of measure for coordinates. For example, when non-contact measurements are required in which the transducer cannot touch the piece, it has a machine to measure that Leitz allow the verification  from techniques of vision. Includes materials and small pieces  that cannot be defined by mechanical contact.

There is also a machine of high precision Zeiss, measure up to 1,200 mm field, which is they can verify pieces of various sizes and it is characterized by its high precision, with an uncertainty of no more than a thousandth of a millimeter in its volume. It is a very suitable machine for the demands of the precision, automotive and aerospace industry components industry.

Also has another machine of measure volume measure Mitutoyo of approximately one metre, with less precision to the Zeiss but ideal for pieces that do not require the high accuracy of certain patterns.

When it comes to measure large structures uses an element of measurement for coordinates, phone of the Leica brand which, in a field of 40 m size, can take points in the space from which define the geometric elements of the piece. With a similar software on the machines of three coordinates are get the data of the large pieces or structures.

Finally, the laboratory has of a set of gauges of form, roughness etc, next to complete the field of verification measure.

(c) verification of machine-tool

There are all kinds of machines CN, both at the headquarters of the manufacturers themselves and the users. Basically, This verification is of three types:

•  verification the accuracy of positioning in vacuum (see details) positioning of the different systems that make moving the (moving parts of the machine). That is usually done with interferómero laser.

• geometric verification of the machine: rectitudes, ortogonalidades, planitudes,  coaxialidades, etc.

• verification of the capacity of the machine to manufacture certain parts, by checking certain parts type, manufactured in the machines.

Precision engineering:

In addition to these three areas of performance, another different activity is that the area of metrology provides at the technological centre to which it belongs when he needs of Metrology for the development of other activities, mainly in the precision engineering field. In the view of Antonio Gutierrez, "this" activity also helps us to keep a good level of technology and as learning to our main activity, technical support business"."

1. Taylor forms measuring machine.
2. Bank Sip calibration, the calibration area.
3. Measuring precision Zeiss.
4. Bank gauge blocks pattern.
5. General view of the area of calibration
6. The Zeiss machine in tasks of high-precision.