GAGEtrak^® is the “best control in the company” for Ambel Precision, a Magellan subsidiary.

Ambel Precision is a subsidiary of Magellan Aerospace, a Canadian company with over 80 years of collective knowledge and experience in the aerospace industry. The organization officially adopted the name “Magellan Aerospace Corporation” in 1996, deriving it from the intrepid explorer Ferdinand Magellan. His global exploits established a number of firsts and Magellan Aerospace’s vision is to carry this same legacy into the future of the aerospace industry. Magellan develops and produces complex and integrated products and services that bring value to their customers; they serve the civil aerospace and defense market as well as industrial power applications of aerospace engine technology.

Since 1996, multiple Magellan locations across two countries have chosen GAGEtrak calibration management software to track their gage and calibration data. James Brooks of the Ambel Precision Connecticut location has used GAGEtrak since 2007 to track the 3,985 gages and 18,000 annual calibrations for which he is responsible. GAGEtrak was chosen simply because it’s “the best,” Brooks says.

Prior to using GAGEtrak, Ambel tracked their data by hand on paper; it was clear they needed a more efficient method that would “keep everything at (our) fingertips” and would reduce the likelihood of human error.

Brooks says that GAGEtrak is the “best control in the company” and is pleased that GAGEtrak helps him keep his data current and track gage locations.

GAGEtrak is used at thousands of facilities worldwide to improve measurement quality, assure compliance and increase efficiency. Contact us today to learn how GAGEtrak will do the same for your company.

Reducing shop floor gauging time by 85% with Equator™

At the Tremec Queretaro plant, transmission systems are produced for Daimler, Volvo, GM, John Deere and CNH. Tremec decided that its manufacturing process could be improved considerably, since the process control of parts was taking far too long. With a new Daimler gear project it decided to use Renishaw Equator™ gauging system for a different approach during grinding and green gear turning. “By analysing our customer’s specifications, looking at the features to be gauged and controlled, we realized that we were going to cut down on the number of devices, as the Equator can gauge everything—distances, dimensions and diameters.”

A universal metrology platform for all measuring devices

AEREM is a French company that designs and manufactures assembly and maintenance tools, as well as mechanical and fluidic test benches, for the aeronautics, aerospace, and pharmaceutical industries. MSL Métrologie is a partner who offers 3D measurement services on industrial sites in France and abroad, based on several years of experience with large aeronautics and aerospace companies. Both companies wanted a single metrology software to control their park of measuring devices.

In 2019, AEREM decided to retrofit their measuring instruments and review the software component. They consulted MSL Métrologie, a user of PolyWorks® Metrology Suite, and chose PolyWorks|Inspector™, a 3D dimensional analysis and quality control software solution. It can control their CMM, laser tracker, and measuring arm through plug-ins provided at no additional cost. “With this solution, we can quickly switch from CMM-based measuring to portable-arm based measuring,” says Vincent Renaud, Methods and Product Quality Control Officer at AEREM. He also appreciates the excellent training and technical support and uses PolyWorks|ReportLoop™ to send data to Excel and PolyWorks|Talisman™ to replicate the PC display on a mobile device.

MSL Métrologie uses PolyWorks to control their laser trackers, arms, and CMMs. They like the user-friendly, and intuitive interface, value its advanced features, and appreciate the follow-up and support provided by PolyWorks Europa, all of which help them offer customized solutions to their clients.

“For the InnovMetric group, service is an essential element,” says Thibault Hehlen, Commercial Manager of PolyWorks Europa. Together with its network of partners, InnovMetric has a technical support team with extensive experience in industrial metrology, product engineering, and manufacturing that includes over 150 application specialists directly supporting users in 43 countries.

“At MSL Métrologie, we believe PolyWorks is set to become the must-have software in the field of 3D metrology,” says Benoît Rotereau, company founder.

Adapting Our Business Model to Fit the Industry’s New Realities

With the momentous changes that took place in 2020, the AIAG Board of Directors – consisting of global mobility OEMs and their tiered suppliers – asked us to adapt our business model of developing and disseminating best practices and standards to fit the new realities our industry was facing.

Our first priority was converting our in-person training to a Live Virtual format. With our dedicated team of volunteers and industry partners, we were able to transition nearly all of our content in record time. Now, AIAG offers both in-person and Live Virtual courses for all our top products, using the same content, format, and even instructors as our industry leading in-person training.

The next step was developing a way to onboard new employees and keep seasoned staffers up to date with their Core Tools knowledge, which led to the development of the AIAG Quality Core Tools Knowledge Badge. Using our Core Tools Self-Assessment, employees can baseline their current knowledge before reviewing six foundational eLearning modules, and retaking the self-assessment to demonstrate competency. Once industry benchmarks are achieved, the badge is earned!

Finally, with acceptance of the AIAG & VDA FMEA by the ‘Detroit 3’ and major European manufacturers, we continued to improve our Core Tools Support™ (CTS) software to meet their requirements. This software provides Cloud storage, ensuring that all FMEAs are instantly updated across the globe.

These successes not only answered, but exceeded our Board of Directors’ requests, and benefited the industry as a whole in unprecedented times.