Did you know that even a micron-level discrepancy in a cutting tool can impact the entire production process? In precision engineering, accuracy is everything, and at Marlor Tooling, we take that very seriously. Producing high-quality tools is essential but ensuring their exact precision through comprehensive and detailed inspections is what truly guarantees top performance.
In this blog, we’ll explore the cutting-edge inspection techniques we employ to guarantee the precision and reliability of our tools. From the initial design to the final product, inspection is woven into every stage of our process. It’s what enables us to consistently deliver tools that perform flawlessly in the most demanding environments.
At Marlor Tooling, our decades of expertise in cutting tool manufacturing have made us a trusted partner in the industry. Our success isn’t just in our craftsmanship, it's in our commitment to rigorous inspection standards that ensure every tool meets the strictest quality requirements before it reaches your hands. Read on to discover how our inspection process sets us apart and why it’s a cornerstone of our reputation for excellence.
Why Inspection Matters in Precision Engineering
In precision engineering, even the smallest deviation from specification can have a huge impact. The tools we manufacture are often used in high profile industries where accuracy, longevity, and performance are critical. A misaligned tool, an uneven cutting edge, or a minor deviation in geometry could result in costly downtime, poor product quality, or even damage to machinery.
This is why inspection plays such a crucial role in our process. By carefully measuring and assessing every tool that leaves our facility, we guarantee that our customers receive products that meet the exacting standards of modern manufacturing. Not only does this help avoid potential issues down the line, but it also gives our customers the peace of mind that they’re investing in tools built for reliability and performance.
Our Inspection Process at Marlor Tooling
At Marlor, we take a multi-step approach to inspection, combining both manual expertise and advanced machine technology. Our skilled engineers perform hands-on checks and use the latest inspection machines to ensure accuracy within microns. Let’s take a look at the key inspection technologies we rely on.
Nikken Presetter Machine
The Nikken tool presetter is a crucial part of our inspection process. This machine allows us to inspect and verify the geometry of each tool with incredible precision. The Nikken Presetter offers detailed inspection from both the side and top of the tool profile, measuring linear and geometrical features to a high degree of accuracy.
With this machine, we can guarantee that every tool’s profile matches the original design, ensuring optimal performance. The non-contact measurement feature of the Nikken Presetter is a huge benefit, eliminating the risk of introducing error through physical contact and giving us accurate results down to the micron.
In addition to its precise measurement capabilities, the tool presetter significantly enhances our efficiency by allowing rapid setup and adjustment of tools. This means we can perform inspections without lengthy preparation times, ultimately speeding up our production process. Additionally, the 
intuitive interface of the tool presetter allows our operators to swiftly interpret results and make any needed adjustments, helping to further minimise downtime.
The comprehensive data provided by the Nikken Presetter also contributes to our quality assurance efforts, allowing us to maintain detailed records of each tool’s specifications and performance. This capability not only helps us track our tooling standards over time but also supports our commitment to continuous improvement. By utilising the Nikken Presetter in our inspection process, we can uphold the highest levels of quality and reliability for our customers, reinforcing Marlor Tooling's reputation for excellence in precision engineering.
Helicheck Pro Machine
The Helicheck Walter machine provides automated, high-precision inspection of complex tool geometries. This state-of-the-art machine can measure tools to within a micron, making it ideal for the high tolerance demands of modern engineering.
The Helicheck system uses optical scanning and non-contact measurement to capture every detail of the tool’s geometry, including angles, radius, and surface finish. One of the major benefits of using this machine is its ability to inspect intricate, multi-feature tools quickly and accurately, reducing the need for manual checks and speeding up the production process.
With the automation on our Helicheck pro, the process becomes even more streamlined and efficient. This automated system allows us to load multiple tools into the machine, with an integrated cleaning process to ensure each tool is clear of residue before measuring.
This significantly reduces inspection time and increases productivity. Capable of managing up to
4,000 tools in a single run, the autoloader ensures continuous, precise inspection without operator intervention. This not only increases throughput but also guarantees consistent accuracy and repeatability, freeing up skilled personnel to focus on more critical tasks during production.
By incorporating the Helicheck autoloader, we’re able to inspect tools more efficiently, maintain high precision standards, and further reduce turnaround times for our customers. This advanced technology allows us to meet the growing demand for precision-engineered tools without compromising on quality, while also generating detailed reports that are stored for quality purposes and made available to our customers, ensuring full transparency and traceability.
You can read more about the installation of the Walter Helicheck Pro in our workshop in this editorial.
Zoller Inspection Machine
Our Zoller inspection machine is another critical tool in our inspection process. This machine is designed for high-precision measurement and verification of tools before they’re shipped out to our customers. The Zoller system provides detailed measurements of both cutting tools and tool holders, ensuring complete alignment and accuracy.
The Zoller machine’s non-contact optical technology ensures that we can inspect tools without risking wear or damage, providing an additional layer of assurance that the final product meets the highest standards. This helps to maximise tool life and ensures that our customers receive products that perform consistently over time.
The Zoller inspection machine also excels in analysing endface geometry, allowing us to assess key parameters like flatness, perpendicularity, and runout. These capabilities are essential for ensuring that our tools deliver peak performance in demanding applications, giving our customers the reliability and high standards they have come to expect from Marlor Tooling.
LaserMike
For the ultimate in precision measurement, we also rely on a laser micrometre. This advanced tool offers contact-free, high-speed measurement, making it ideal for verifying tool diameters with micron-level accuracy. Whether working with standard-sized tools or specialised custom designs, the laser micrometre allows us to capture highly precise measurements without the risk of damaging or altering the tool surface. The non-contact nature of the laser measurement ensures there is no physical interference, which is critical when dealing with fragile or intricate tools.
Laser micrometres provide exceptional precision, particularly when measuring small or delicate tools that demand detailed accuracy. By incorporating this cutting-edge technology, we ensure that every tool undergoing our inspection process is precisely measured and fully prepared for use in even the most challenging applications.
Advantages of Our Inspection Process
The combination of these cutting-edge machines and our expert engineers enables us to offer several key benefits to our customers:
- Guaranteed Precision: With machines like the Nikken Presetter and Helicheck providing measurements accurate to within a micron, we ensure that every tool is manufactured and inspected to the tightest tolerances.
- Consistency and Reliability: Our multi-step inspection process guarantees that every tool leaving our facility performs consistently, reducing the risk of defects or variations in performance over time.
- Increased Tool Life: By thoroughly inspecting every aspect of our tools, from geometry to cutting edge sharpness, we maximise tool life, giving our customers a more durable, cost-effective product.
- Confidence in Quality: Our customers can rely on the fact that every tool undergoes thorough inspection with the most advanced technology available. This minimises the likelihood of problems occurring during use, instilling trust in the tools they employ.
- Speed and Efficiency: While our inspection process is thorough, the advanced technology we use ensures that it is also fast and efficient. Allowing us to maintain quick turnaround times without compromising on quality.
Conclusion
At Marlor Tooling, our commitment to precision and quality is evident in every tool we produce. Through meticulous inspection processes and the use of advanced technologies like the Nikken Presetter, Helicheck Pro, Zoller, and LaserMike, we ensure that each tool meets the highest standards of accuracy and performance. This dedication not only supports our customers operations but also reinforces the trust and reliability they place in us.
If you’d like to learn more about how Marlor Tooling can help enhance your precision engineering projects, please contact us at 01733 404 800 and stay in touch with us via our LinkedIn page.
For further reading, check out our blog on The Life Cycle of Cutting Tools and The Power of Cutting-Edge Preparation to discover more about our comprehensive approach to precision engineering.
