Thursday is here. Another big day in manufacturing. Come and have a look.
There was a healthy dose of enthusiasm among the stands at AMW2024 today. I reckon people had some good sleeps because the word is this is the day to impress. Like Wednesday, the hours are extended to 7 pm to assist with attendees visiting later in the day, and giving everyone more time to check out every corner of the AMW2024 show. So much going on and there was an uptick in visitors after hours last night as predicted.
Among the many scanners on display at the huge Hi-Tech Metrology stand there were some of the very latest solutions, in this case a handheld 3D scanner, an Ametek Creaform Handiscan Elite mounted on a robot arm, which was scan-building a digital twin of an object on a platform for later inspection. There were Hexagon coordinate Measuring Machines, and a range of micron-accurate digital instruments from Trimos, Sylvac and Bowers.
Another stood like a surveyor’s LiDAR station on a tripod. That’s where the similarity stops. This Leica Absolute Tracker is able to scope a viewed surface from a distance of 80 metres, at an accuracy of single microns. “The intensely detailed 3D model generated through this exercise ensures engineers and manufacturers have the best rendition of a surface or item,” said Firat Oguten, from HiTech Metrology.
Speaking of small, Microscopy showed their impressive range of visuals. These aren’t just for show of course. Their experts provide analytic solutions and R&D, to improve processes through non-destructive analysis. Microscopy can find out why something isn’t working the way it should. They can rectify the manufacturing design process by finding the best way forward in extreme close-ups.
DMG Mori had their Machining Centre up and running, the NT4250/1500, about to whip up a startling array of items where the tool moves around a simultaneously moving work item, a set of trophies for the NSW Government.
Further down in the halls, Printstream had the replica of Venus de Milo, printed up in PETG and finished in epoxy, using the bigrepONE large format 3D printer. This is a 1m3 powerhouse 3D printer, an entry-level printer, and presents itself as an open plan design with the ability to generate models in PLA, PLX, PRO HT, Hi-Emp as well as PETG, with a PEX Extruder. Dean told me of his day at the show as, “surprisingly busy, today especially,” he said. “There were so many real prospects coming through, not the one just looking. They were ready to order.”
Tomorrow is the final day for AMW2024. If you haven’t come over for a visit, please consider it. If you were here yesterday or today, come on back tomorrow. There’s a week of Australian manufacturing waiting for you
Check out some more images from Thursday HERE.