Using Laser Tracker Technology to Reduce Fabrication Layout Time

Custom Engineering is a quality-driven fabrication and machining company located in Erie, Pennsylvania. They specialize in medium to heavy fabrication and contract machining. As their name implies, they enjoy the challenge of “custom” jobs, and they have always invested in the technology needed to complete these jobs on time and on budget.

But Custom Engineering was faced with a problem. They needed to measure large baseplates fabricated from structural beams along with plate steel with machined flatness requirements and multiple hole locations. The largest of these baseplates is 39 feet long by 15 feet wide. Traditional measuring methods just couldn’t provide the accuracy and detailed inspection reports that their customers required.

The solution they chose was a portable coordinate measuring machine called the FARO Laser Tracker. It allows them to inspect hole layout, flatness and location, along with other difficult inspection routines, simply and precisely. Its long range is also ideal for inspecting the large parts.

“Fabrication layout time with the FARO Laser Tracker is taking roughly half the time it used to take with traditional methods,” commented Dave Guriel, Quality Manager at Custom Engineering. “The old method required roughly 6 hours, but with the Laser Tracker we can complete this same measurement in 2.5 to 3 hours.”

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Documenting Architectural Facades with the Laser Scanner

Renovating historical landmarks requires a careful balance between preserving the architectural elements that characterize the generation of the original build while updating items to support modern life. Thus was the burden consultants faced when designing plans for a $30 million restoration of the Northwestern Mutual Life building in Milwaukee, WI.

Bridging the gap between innovation and tradition, SightLine utilized Laser Scanning technology to generate the measurements necessary to restore the classic beauty. Sightline collected the measurements with the FARO Laser Scanner. The Laser Scanner is capable of capturing data from a distance of 395ft. This is ideal for objects that are out of reach or may require unobtrusive tactics to gather data. With a 360° horizontal and a 320° vertical range, the FARO Laser Scanner has the largest field of view in phase shift scanning.

To read up on how Sightline successfully scanned the Northwestern Mutual Life Building, click HERE.

Webinar: Simplified Measurement Routines

Guided measurement routines can help companies become more competitive by improving their overall product quality while reducing manufacturing costs. Many of the measurements needed to produce a part are repetitive – the same measurement in the same location over and over. A customized measurement routine guides users through these measurements time and time again. These simplified routines can reduce inspection time by as much as 75% by eliminating the time spent setting up repetitive tools, by eliminating user error, and by ensuring measurement consistency.

In this webinar, we will introduce the principals behind guided measurement routines and the benefits to be gained from using them. We will also show a real-time example of how these tools work. As part of the measurement software CAM2 Q, QuickTools allow procedures to be automated, nominals and tolerances to be entered, and reports to be automatically generated – all resulting in reduced inspection time.

We will show you how these easy-to-use tools can reduce your inspection time and save your company money.

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The Future of Manufacturing is in the Third Grade

With the help of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), our manufacturing future is starting to be shaped by investing in manufacturing education at a very young age. This summer, over 4,200 boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 14, are attending 214 sessions at the Gateway Academy, a summer camp program that introduces science and engineering. It appeals to students with hands-on, project-based courses where students have fun while applying the fundamentals of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. 

During these sessions, students are learning everything from how to make cars out of paper, catapults out of mouse traps and robots using computer software.Saul K. Fenster, PhD, president emeritus of the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), University Heights, Newark, N. J., and president of the SME Education Foundation, says that "In our current economic conundrum, the nation is finally beginning to realize how critically important the manufacturing industry is. As manufacturing job losses continue to be reported, we need to make sure young people (and parents who influence their decisions) are not confused about the issues. The excitement and self-motivated learning experience we saw at the summer camp is an example of how we can open the eyes of young people to their career potential."

It is clear that in order to keep our traditional manufacturing communities alive, and to further grow innovation, it is important that we start recognizing that the future lies within the youth of today. The reality is that careers in manufacturing are becoming increasingly enviable. U.S. policy-makers are recognizing that having a manufacturing base that is strong, efficient and innovative is essential to our country’s economic future and our country’s world environment. As companies begin to re-think off-shoring, and consider re-directing their manufacturing and production facilities back to the U.S., skilled workers are and will be needed.

As innovation expands advanced technologies, educators need to be better educated about their digitally enamored students, and how better to reach them with learning processes to which they can relate. Preparing for a career in manufacturing is no longer based on following the education standards created fifty years ago. 

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Lean Leadership Lessons

Have you ever thought of taking lean leadership lessons from man’s best friend? An article by Mark R. Hamel details what he has learned from training his German shepherd. Known for being highly-intelligent dogs often used for police and military work, this breed still needs to be provided with the proper training in order to fully utilize their innate abilities.

Hamel details in his article the top five lessons about lean leadership that he has learned from his dog-obedience sensei (teacher):

1. Lean leaders must learn proper behaviors and techniques from the external sensei so that they in turn can coach others within the organization.
2. Lean leaders cannot abdicate their responsibility for transformation to the external sensei.
3. The followers in the organization can only absorb so much from the external sensei during the sensei’s relatively short time at their gemba (place). The long-term effect (or lack thereof) is purely up to the lean leaders.
4. Lean leaders must be absolutely (and pragmatically) consistent in message, principles, systems, and tools; otherwise, the workforce will become confused and frustrated.
5. Even though lean leaders often know what to do, how to do it, and why they should do it, they often don’t do it. A good external sensei will keep them honest.

To read Hamel’s complete article, click here.

To go along with lean leadership, it’s also important to use manufacturing tools that support lean principles. Portable CMMs are tools that help you meet six sigma and lean manufacturing standards. They create efficiencies in environments where you are forced to do more with fewer resources.

Learn More about Tools that Help You Achieve Lean Manufacturing

FARO SCENE 4.7 Officially Released

FARO is pleased to announce the release of SCENE 4.7, SCENE LT 4.7 and SCENE Record 4.7 and would like to thank all users who gave valuable input for the improvement of our post-processing software. With this release, we deliver a new version of the FARO Laser Scanner software that will improve your ability for productivity, your mobility and ease of use in many directions.

Some of the newest features that you’ll find are: 64-bit support, multi-core processor support, SCENE Web-Share functionality, enhanced window styles, new menu structure, new Object Marker tool bar, gap filling functionality in 3D views, and ZFC file importation. The new SCENE 4.7 features more efficient point cloud handling and visualization due to the new 64-bit architecture which extends the usable memory. The new version also incorporates “one-click” Web-Share functionality. Scanned images can now be put on the Internet, thus enabling industries such as architecture, engineering and law enforcement to share scan information with customers, suppliers and partners without the need of additional software. Each of these features have been carefully selected and implemented into SCENE to make this the most innovative post-processing software in the market. 

Users who already own SCENE 4.6 are able to upgrade to SCENE 4.7 at no cost! To upgrade your existing SCENE software to SCENE 4.7 click HERE.

Applying New Technology and New Thinking for Dramatic Returns

E-ONE is a worldwide designer and manufacturer of fire rescue vehicles. They provide state-of-the-art equipment that is recognized for its superior capabilities. Headquartered in Ocala, Florida, E-ONE (www.e-one.com) is the industry leader in product innovations, new technologies, and exceeding their customers’ expectations. Innovation has long been the company’s driving force and continues to be the impetus behind their pursuit of new technologies to answer today’s demands.

As could well be imagined, there are many parts on any fire rescue vehicle that need to be measured and inspected during the manufacturing process. To measure this collection of parts, E-ONE used an assortment of hand tools including micrometers, digital and dial calipers, dial indicators, precision rules and straightedges, and even the basic tape measure. These hand tools, however, resulted in their own set of problems.

E-ONE considered several options to resolve their measurement needs. The first option was to do nothing and continue to absorb the inherent rework cost of their existing process. Another option was to go with dedicated inspection fixtures. These, however, have their own cost factors and do not offer any real flexibility. Another solution was to go with a portable CMM, an articulating measurement arm.

After considering different measurement arms, E-ONE decided on the FARO Laser ScanArm®. Their decision was based on the demonstration they saw of the product and its technology. The Laser ScanArm combines the contact measurement ability of the FaroArm® Fusion with the non-contact scanning ability of the Laser Line Probe attachment. With CAM2® and Geomagic® software, E-ONE is able to complete inspections and create reports in one easy process. The combination allows them to reverse engineer several parts and better define needed requirements.

“The ScanArm allows incoming inspection sampling and immediate response (root cause) to part or fit up issues,” said James Musick, Quality Administrator at E-ONE. “This changes us from a completely reactive culture to a proactive one with the ability to immediately identify and correct root cause problems.”

E-ONE combines proven capability, reliability, and durability with innovations that transform fire rescue efforts. By applying new technology like the FARO Laser ScanArm and new thinking, E-ONE is bringing about change and finding better ways to protect the people and the industry they serve.

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Manufacturing Touts One Year of Growth

For a while now we have been highlighting the successes of various manufacturing companies and their suppliers. Amidst the caution still out there, it seems as though the continuous growth of the nation's manufacturing sector might really be a positive sign for our economy. For a solid year now, the manufacturing sector has seen continued growth and more companies now say they are ready to hire.


While the growth has slowed over the past few months, measures of production and new orders are still growing which signals future business. The industry experienced strong growth last year because companies were restocking after the recession. Although manufacturing only accounts for about a fifth of our economic activity, it is still good to hear that sustained growth is occurring in an otherwise down economy. 


"The July report suggests that manufacturing will grow for the rest of the year, and more quickly than the broader economy, said Dan Meckstroth, chief economists for the Manufacturers Alliances/MAPI, an industry association," reported the AP. This doesn't mean a necessary creation of new jobs, though, as manufacturing companies continue to invest more money on processes than people.


Investment in technology to help companies grow when customers are spending less is still important at this point in time. Companies need to continue to lean out their processes and become more efficient not only to do more with less but prepare for the continued growth but limitation of additional staff.


Learn more about technology to help create efficiencies in manufacturing.
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