BLUM TC64-DIGILOG touch probe as a measurement gauge for drive shafts at Schuler Pressen.

What can be done when the production machines for an essential component have been discontinued and the process simply takes too long? At the Schuler Pressen, the decision was taken to find a new solution: producing gears using profile cutters. This is where Blum-Novotest’s TC64-DIGILOG scanning touch probe came into play: It enables examination of the tooth interlocking and ensures that the process as a whole is consistent and verifiable.

At the Schuler AG, gears for large press driveshafts have only been produced with the aid of special gear cutting machines in the past. These machines exhibit good repeatability characteristics, but the time taken to manufacture a driveshaft is very long. Shaping the gears alone takes between 16 and 19 hours. Moving the parts weighing nearly 700 kilogrammes between the various processing machines was also complicated and contributed to the long production times.

As the tried-and-tested machines were no longer available on the market, Schuler Pressen had to find other ways of tackling the production bottlenecks that were looming. The solution came in the form of milling the driveshafts on a modern turning/milling machining centre using a specially manufactured profile cutter, together with carrying out measurements in the machine itself. “Previously, we had no way of directly measuring the form deviations of the tooth flanks,” explains Thomas Vujica from the production planning and NC programming department. “That wasn’t required with the gear cutting machines, in fact, because they are constructed in such a way that there is always an involute. The question of measurement only became an issue when the gear production migrated to the turning/milling centre.” A workaround was found that involved transporting the heavy driveshafts to another company where each individual shaft was measured on a special measuring machine. However, depending on order backlogs and waiting times, that took two to three weeks. And that cancelled out the advantage in time that the milling technique brought with it.

The solution found by Schuler Pressen was the Blum-Novotest TC64-DIGILOG touch probe. The advantage of the DIGILOG touch probe is that it can carry out both digital measurements as well as analogue scans. This means that it is possible to guide the probe over a surface and register measurement data continuously.

The complete measurement of a cogwheel consists of 144 individual measurements on a slanted track along the whole tooth flank – 36 teeth with two flanks each, and in both halves of the double helical gear. The complete measurement procedure only takes 13 minutes at a scan speed of 1.8 m/min. During this time, the DIGILOG touch probe records 570,000 individual measurement values. However, only the linear axes are used during the scan so as to exclude any errors of the rotation axes used for production.

Software developed by Thomas Vujica allows for rapid inspection of the driveshaft. Using the network, the software adopts the measurement data recorded by the DIGILOG touch probe and generates a report including diagrams by way of illustration. The report provides a simple means of establishing whether there are deviations from the ideal form, and if so how big they are. This makes it possible to assess the manufacturing quality. The machine operator can keep track of the measurements on the PC as they are generated and differentiate between outliers caused by impurities and genuine quality issues. Also, the automated measurement technique avoids errors that cannot be prevented in the course of manual measurement.

Thanks to Blum-Novotest’s DIGILOG probe, production today is backed up by reliable quality assurance, the delivery times are significantly shorter and the production department can be sure of fulfilling the required gearing quality. In fact, it is possible to manufacture and dispatch a driveshaft within a single day if necessary. Previously, such times were unthinkable; the measurement process alone took two to three weeks. This is extremely valuable in a sector in which customers depend on absolute reliability. So Thomas Vujica is able to draw a positive conclusion: “The cooperation with BLUM and the internal specialist departments was excellent. We developed the measuring sequence together, optimizing it steadily and integrating it into the process. Thanks to the DIGILOG touch probe we now have a very fast and reliable manufacturing process that means we no longer have to rely on the old special machines for this component. It also enables us to achieve high economic viability and shorter response times. What more could one ask for?”

The Schuler AG, headquartered in Göppingen, is a technological and global market leader in the metal forming industry. The company provides presses, automation solutions, tools, process know-how and services for the entire metal forming industry. Founded by Louis Schuler in 1839, the company began to manufacture sheet metal processing machines in 1852. Schuler customers include automotive manufacturers and their suppliers as well as companies from the forging, household equipment, packaging, energy and electrical sectors. Schuler leads the way in the production of minting presses and also provides system solutions for the aerospace, railway and large pipe manufacturing industries.

The most advanced member of the tool setting probe series
Blum-Novotest, the leading supplier of innovative and high-quality measuring and testing technology, introduces the new ZX-Speed tool setting probe at the Intec (hall 5, booth D16) and Moulding Expo (hall 5, booth D32) trade fairs. As a result, the company’s 3D tool setting probe series for machine tools now includes three new compact systems for tool measurement of length and radius as well as for tool breakage detection.
Wolfgang Reiser, Technical Director at BLUM explains: “The new ZX-Speed is aimed at customers who wish to profit from automatic, quick and economical tool measurement and monitoring. The tool length measurement and breakage detection processes are carried out while the tool is stationary. Only large tools such as facing mills, which must be measured acentrically, as well as radii are measured under rotation with the help of cutting edges that rotate in reverse. The measurements are performed, for example, after a new tool has been loaded or for control measurements between machining steps. This is a reliable method of avoiding costly rejects due to undetected tool breakage, wear and poorly adjusted tools.“
The wired BLUM ZX-Speed combines impressive economic efficiency with a compact and rugged design. Optionally, a nozzle is available for tool cleaning.
Extremely compact ZX-Speed with cable connection of Blum-Novotest GmbH
A particularly noteworthy feature of the new ZX-Speed is the modern, multi-directional measuring mechanism of the latest generation: Unlike standard probes, its rotationally symmetric design offers constant and extremely precise measuring characteristics in all measuring directions without a preferred direction. This allows the measurement of even very small tools starting from a diameter of 1 mm with an ultra-precise repeatability of 0.4 µm 2σ. The trigger signal generation system used by the BLUM tool measuring probe is also remarkable because it is based on optoelectronics and the shading of a miniature light barrier rather than a simple micro-switch. This wear-free system guarantees consistently high measurement accuracy even after millions of switching cycles.
The new tool setting probe is available in three versions: wired, infrared and radio transmitting. The highly economic wired version is recommended if it is possible to mount the probe at a fixed location in the machine room without causing disturbance. It is supplied as standard with a highly flexible connection cable and 1.5 m steel spiral protective hose.
The new ZX-Speed IR is particularly easy and cost-effective to retrofit, for instance, if a BLUM workpiece touch probe with infrared transmission is already installed.
3D tool setting probe ZX-Speed IR with infrared transmission of Blum-Novotest GmbH
If a BLUM workpiece touch probe is already fitted to the machine or if wired installation is not possible, wireless variants are available. The ZX-Speed IR is the perfect solution for machines with pallet changers: Via infrared transmission, the trigger signal is forwarded to the IR-receiver IC56. When operated in “DUO-Mode”, it allows two measuring systems to approached sequentially using only one IR-receiver.
The ZX-Speed RC with BRC radio technology is used if a direct line of sight between the probe and receiver cannot be guaranteed. One advantage of the new transmission technology is that each single bit of the radio signal runs across the entire width of the frequency band, thus making transmission particularly resistant to interference. The proven BRC radio technology also allows sequential activation of up to six BLUM radio measuring systems with one receiver as well as the simultaneous use of two radio measuring systems on a single machine operating in TWIN mode.
“Thanks to its robust construction according to protection class IP68, the ZX-Speed is perfect for the tough demands of machine tool applications,” says Reiser. It is also worth mentioning that the newest addition to the BLUM tool setting probe series is comparatively compact, making it ideal for use in machines offering limited space. To meet the needs of each customer, BLUM offers a comprehensive range of accessories for the probe systems. This includes replaceable measuring surfaces, different mounting plinths as well as blow nozzles for cleaning the tool and measuring surface.

Touch probes automate the production of hand-held measuring equipment

The production of hand-held measuring equipment means large volumes and high demands on the accuracy of the workpieces. In this context, the production measurement technology used is faced with the challenging task of working fast and with a high degree of precision. The solution chosen by HELIOS-PREISSER is BLUM touch probes which are used in the machining centres for continuous measurements integrated into the process.

In 2008, HELIOS-PREISSER, a manufacturer of high-quality hand-held measuring equipment for professional use, became aware that the capacity of its three machining centres previously used for production was no longer sufficient – they were operating around the clock in three shifts. Due to its positive experience with the existing machines, the company based in Gammertingen decided once more to rely on the products of Heller, a machine tool manufacturer in Nuertingen.

A 14-metre long pallet magazine connects the machining centres, which are supplied with clamped workpieces by a robot. This ensured the automated supply, but an opportunity to satisfy the high quality requirements was still lacking. The HELIOS-PREISSER employees already had many years of good experience with BLUM touch probes in the old machining centres which are still operating with great reliability today. The new four-axis machine was also equipped with a BLUM measuring probe. It was only the five-axis centre which used a probe from another manufacturer. However, this did not meet with great approval at HELIOS- PREISSER. “Where possible, I endeavour to make regional purchases. In BLUM, we have found a partner that can offer us high-quality products and corresponding service within a close distance,” emphasises CEO Siegfried Lorch. “Particularly as, wherever possible, we would like to have just one point of contact. In addition, we have been extremely satisfied with the BLUM touch probes for years.” In the end, BLUM’s sales representative Erhard Strobel proposed a solution –  an engineer would install the probe and receiver in the new machining centre. 

HELIOS-PREISSER uses TC50 and TC60 touch probes. The first transmit data via infrared, the latter via radio technology. The touch probes are fitted on tool holders and can be substituted if necessary, in order to execute measuring tasks before, during and after machining. The infrared system can always be used when a line of sight can be guaranteed between the touch probe and receiver. A measuring system with radio transmission is installed on the five-axis machining centre. This reliably transmits the signals from the touch probe to the receiver – even when the line of sight is disrupted by the large swivel head.

The BLUM touch probes are used for a whole range of tasks in Gammertingen. For example, they check whether the workpieces are correctly clamped prior to the commencement of machining. “We also use the probe to measure the result of the machining. After casting, the dimensions of the cast blanks are often very different,” explains Tobias Weber, foreman of the milling shop. “This is why, prior to machining, the position of the blank is captured using the probe and the compensation values for the NC program are transmitted to the machine controller. Thanks to the BLUM touch probes, we have been able to reduce the rejection rate for these components from ten percent to one to two percent.”

Another example are the tail stocks of the bench centres. Here, a hole must be positioned accurately to one hundredth for a channel on the same part. Previously, there had always been fluctuations, often due only to the temperature response of the machine. If the dimension was correct in the morning with a cold machine and hall, by noon with a hot machine and warm weather the dimension would be outside the tolerance. At HELIOS-PREISSER, the channel is now machined and measured before finally being drilled using the measurement data. This enables the desired precision to be reliably achieved despite the effects of temperature.

The large volumes manufactured in Gammertingen require short cycle times, so measurement must not take too long. BLUM touch probes are designed for maximum measuring speed and are not sensitive to the widely used coolant, which is simply pushed away by the high measuring pressure. Measurements can also be taken directly after machining. “The touch probe is moved at a top speed of 60 metres per minute until shortly before measuring point; touching then takes place at up to 3 m/min – so not much time is lost. After machining, we check almost all fits using the BLUM touch probe,” reports Tobias Weber. “Our manufacturing process has now become so precise, that we no longer have to grind many parts. Previously, in contrast, many parts were milled with an allowance and then ground to the finished size on grinding machines in order to be able to achieve the required precision for our measuring equipment – this saves a great deal of time.”

If a machine determines that a tolerance has not been complied with, the pallet is automatically removed and placed in the pallet store with an inspection record. The next morning it can be inspected to determine where the fault is and, in the meantime, the machine can continue to process further pallets. With respect to unmanned production, the touch probes from Blum have completely proven themselves at HELIOS-PREISSER: “Overnight, and often for parts of the weekend, the machines run unmanned. We only operate one shift, but we produce more than we previously did in three shifts,” concludes Siegfried Lorch. “The systems run very reliably during unmanned operation, which relieves the pressure on us and makes it possible to manufacture the required volumes without needing a night shift. The BLUM probes are essential to unmanned operation, especially as we are also very satisfied with the service offered by BLUM.”

 BLUM LaserControl at MTU Aero Engines GmbH in Munich, Germany

“When your car develops engine problems, you simply pull over and wait for a mechanic. But when jet engines fail in an aircraft, the lives of several hundred people are potentially at risk. That is why we at MTU attach the highest priority to quality! All our components must satisfy the close tolerances we specify – often to within just a few hundredths of a millimetre,“ explains Walter Strohmeir, user support representative for NC engineering with MTU Aero Engines in Munich. In addition to supporting machine operators with virtually every aspect of NC machining, his responsibilities include the programming of CNC routines and procuring machines and the peripherals to go with them.

To fully meet the exacting production engineering demands of aero engine manufacture, the machining centres of MTU rely on non-contact laser measuring systems supplied by Blum-Novotest, for whose operability Walter Strohmeir is also responsible. In simplest terms, LaserControl NT is an optical measuring system for tool setting and tool monitoring. As well as providing basic tool breakage detection, LaserControl NT systems capture data such as tool length, radius, wear, cutting edge bursts and spindle and tool carrier accuracy at nominal spindle speed. The systems also compensate for spindle displacement at high speed, and can detect and correct tool clamping errors.

“Way back in the mid-nineties, LaserControl NT won out against strong competitors in the selection process at MTU Aero Engines as being the system with the most know-how. MTU subsequently purchased the first laser system, and its existing machines were gradually upgraded, while new machines were acquired with LaserControl NT already installed,“ says Daniel Czujek from the Technical Sales Department of Blum-Novotest and MTU support engineer. Today, MTU Aero Engines in Munich has over 100 BLUM laser systems in use across the company. Around 300 to 350 MTU employees work with LaserControl NT in three-shift operation. A number of machines are also equipped with contact touch probes supplied by BLUM. In terms of quality assurance, the BLUM systems make a major contribution to the manufacture of all MTU engines. They include the new GP7000 family of aero engines which the Munich firm produces together with industry partners, with MTU taking responsibility for the low-pressure turbine, the intermediate turbine casing and the high-pressure turbine components. The GP7000 family of aero engines has been used in the long-haul sector, including scheduled services of the Airbus A380 since August 2008. In its class, this jet engine is a benchmark in terms of reliability, fuel consumption and noise emissions.

A major role in aero engine manufacture is played by so-called ‘blisk machining’. Blisks – the term is a blend of the words ‘blade‘ and ‘disk’ – marry maximum performance to minimum weight. The process involves integral rotor construction in which disk and blade form a one-piece component, rendering blade roots and disk grooves superfluous. “The chief advantages of blisks are their substantial weight saving, increased service life, decrease in the number of components through higher stage loading and the reduction in the amount of maintenance that is required. Most parts are made from titanium. For tool setting and monitoring, we deploy LaserControl NT throughout the entire blisk production line,“ explains Heinz Baumgartner, blisk production team leader for the medium-pressure compressor for the TP400 engine programme. He supervises virtually all of the machining operations that are involved in ‘blisking‘. Almost half of his team of 19 work with Blum systems.

Blisk facts and figures are impressive: It takes between 15 and 60 hours to make one workpiece, depending on the size of the component and the type of machining that is required. The parts that are produced are worth between 30,000 and 60,000 Euro. This makes the constant monitoring of the tools that are used to machine them so vital, for if there is a problem in the production process because of a faulty, worn or incorrectly fitted tool and the work is scrap, things can quickly get very expensive. Each component can require the use of about 10 different tools – from the humble twist drill to expensive special-purpose tools. At MTU in Munich, there was the odd occasion when the wrong tool was fitted in error, resulting in substantial losses. With the laser they can now be confident that such mistakes cannot happen again.

The laser systems also help maximise the utilisation of the machines. After all, in modern production facilities of the kind found at MTU where manning levels are low, there is not an operator on every machine all of the time. One operator is often responsible for several machining centres, so without a reliable monitoring system, it can take a long time for the fault to be found if there is a problem with a tool. The tool may be broken or it may be worn or its cutting edge may have burst, ruining the surface of the component. This is particularly true on weekends when running the machines unmanned on Saturdays and Sundays is essential because of the production costs of the products. “Our ultimate goal – to achieve the greatest possible machine utilisation – means working toward the industry standard of 5,000 hours per annum. The longer the machines run, the more we can keep costs down. This can only be achieved by working unmanned weekends,“ explains Heinz Baumgartner – “And with the support of LaserControl NT,“ adds Winfried Weiland, Sales Engineer at Blum-Novotest.

The excellent process stability which the laser systems offer benefits other areas as well – most of the machines that are equipped with LaserControl no longer require devices for tool presetting. Some machining centres are operated in parallel, but MTU‘s objective is to dispense with tool presetters altogether in future, so when the machines are fitted with new tools, the laser will capture the tool data to the nearest µm directly on the machine. This will eliminate human error when operators manually enter tool data that has first been logged on the presetter, such as keying errors and transposed numbers. Measuring directly on the machine is in any case much more accurate, as the data are recorded in the actual clamping situation and at working speed. All kinds of tools are measured with the laser measuring systems. The smallest has a diameter of just 1.2 mm, while the largest cutter head is currently 250 mm.

MTU also sees significant benefits from the NT technology introduced by BLUM in 2003 which has completely eliminated occasional problems previously caused by coolant. “On this basis we can now theoretically move to the laser with the tool dripping with coolant and it still works perfectly. Together with the tool cleaning jets which were installed a few years ago, this solution represents a real quantum leap in process reliability. The good direct contact which we have established over the years with BLUM is a major contributing factor. The same goes for the custom cycle which BLUM have written to allow special-purpose tools with their non-standard profiles to be measured,“ says Walter Strohmeir.

“For us, it is the process reliability which LaserControl NT offers that is its most important feature. The excellent co-operation with BLUM is another vital factor for our business because they understand what we want and can deliver it quickly. And they always give us useful suggestions, like how we can measure the tools even faster. Above all, however, the laser measuring systems give us the reliability and confidence we need for our machining processes,“ Walter Strohmeir sums up with evident satisfaction. Passengers should enjoy the peace of mind, too, thanks to the high quality standards set by MTU Aero Engines, at least whenever their flights are powered by engines from MTU.

Blum TC76-DIGILOG touch probe at Lehmann

A complex component, incorporating four long slots among other features, was posing problems for Timo Lehmann, CEO of Karlheinz Lehmann GmbH in Oberwolfach. The solution was ultimately provided by a Cincom M32 lathe in conjunction with the TC76-DIGILOG touch probe from Blum-Novotest.

“Highly complex components are part and parcel of our business. But implementing a quick-coupler for compressed air input was a tough nut to crack,” says Timo Lehmann of the challenges posed by a project for Parker Hannifin GmbH, a world leader in drive and control technology and pneumatics. “The key components are hardened and coated free cutting steel, threads, bores, and four lightly tapered slots. The slots were the crucial point of the whole design.”

The parallelism of the slots was only allowed to vary by 2 µm from the reference values. Otherwise the fully automated machine, assembling the component unit at Parker-Hannifin, would abruptly stop. Moreover, the quick-coupling would not work if the tolerance was exceeded. When assembled, the lightly tapered slots contain balls, which must not protrude too far yet, must also never be allowed to fall through the slot. Through this design, the Parker quick-couplers prevent the otherwise common snapping noise when detaching, and also allow single-hand operation. Just as challenging as the production process is the task of measuring the slots. The BLUM TC76-DIGILOG touch probe proved the only cost-effective means of verifying the design’s dimensional accuracy.

Analogue measurement is always advantageous for assessing areas or lines. If a switching digital probe were to be used in the Lehmann application, for example, a very large number of points on the slots would have to be measured in order to attain an adequate resolution. By contrast, the TC76-DIGILOG is scanned across the surface at a measuring speed of 2 m/min. As this is happening, the system generates an extremely large number of values (50,000 per second in fact) in a fraction of the time based on analogue data acquisition.

The combination of the Cincom M32 and TC76-DIGILOG has been running smoothly and efficiently in Parker Hannifin’s production operations since February 2015. The sequence is as follows: At the start of a production run, a reference part is clamped onto the machine and the complete contour of the corresponding slot is scanned and recorded. The master profile recorded in this way is entered in the evaluation software. The subsequent production workpieces are compared against the recorded profile, and any that exceed the tolerance are discarded. As a result, the tight tolerances of the slot are reliably checked immediately after the cutting process in the lathe. In-machine measurement itself delivers enormous benefits. If it is run without problem in the idle times, as in Parker Hannifin’s quick-coupler production, it is hard to beat. It allows Lehmann to implement 100 percent checking, with error trends being detected at an early stage by evaluation software.

Incidentally: it doesn’t matter whether the TC76-DIGILOG is fitted in a grinding machine or a milling machine. And thanks to its increased scanning forces, it is even outstandingly well suited to the tough demands of applications in lathes. The TC76-DIGILOG scans the part accurately and non-directionally, measuring with supreme precision thanks to the patented shark360 measuring mechanism. “Neither coolant nor viscous oils impair the reliability of the measurement data. With its high scanning force, the touch probe simply pushes through the coolant,” adds David Cousins.

The Blum-Novotest/Citizen combination is also used for other large production lots from 10,000 to 30,000 pieces. The processed materials are wide-ranging: from stainless steels, heat-treatable steels and free cutting steel, to aluminium. “Given that we were close to having to refuse the quick-coupler order from Parker Hannifin, we are delighted to have found such a powerful solution in the combination of Blum touch probe and Citizen machine,” Timo Lehmann concludes with satisfaction.

Machining contractor Karlheinz Lehmann GmbH is based in Oberwolfach in Germany’s Black Forest. At its 1,000 square metre site, the family business employs 17 people, operating 20 state-of-the-art CNC lathes and milling machines, mostly in the manufacture of high-precision rotationally symmetrical parts. The company has been trading for over 40 years, and is now managed in the second generation by the founder’s son and daughter. Lehmann employs state-of-the-art technology to manufacture small and large production runs in a three-shift operation – though the night shift is unmanned. The traditional family company’s motto is “Cutting skills in perfect precision”, and it is based on those principles that it has established a customer base including major international corporations such as Parker Hannifin.

Blum-Novotest realises a large test bench project at Daimler Detroit Diesel in the USA.

Vehicle and truck gearboxes fulfil the task of converting revolutions and torque. In order to achieve the optimum relationship between low consumption and high torque, numerous factors must be observed and tested. Worldwide, the test benches of Blum-Novotest facilitate the extensive and reliable quality control of gearboxes before they are even installed.

An example in this respect is the “Global Powertrain Daimler AG” business division. For more than 20 years, the company has trusted the reliable test benches of Blum-Novotest GmbH. By now, Daimler operates more than 20 Blum-Novotest test benches worldwide. They largely concern gearbox test benches, but also drive shaft, pump or hydraulic test benches are used within the group.

Long-term partnership

Blum-Novotest is a well-known supplier in gearbox production testing. Numerous projects have already been realised in the area of truck gearbox assembly at the Gaggenau plant with its site in Rastatt. At present, there are 18 gearbox test benches of Blum-Novotest in operation only at this site. The most recent projects were realised for Daimler sites outside of Germany. Two gearbox test benches for mechanical gearboxes went into operation in India recently and later two series test benches as well as an audit test bench for truck gearboxes were delivered to the “Detroit Diesel Corporation” (DDC) a wholly owned subsidiary in Redford, USA.

Due to the successful realisation of previous projects, Daimler took Blum-Novotest also into consideration in new test bench projects. A close relationship, between the two companies resulted in considerable profit for both parties as years went by. Blum-Novotest proved its ability of realising projects also on an international scale, for example, with test benches in India. The test benches in the USA were installed and commissioned a few months ago.

Heavy calibres

Today, heavy truck gearboxes are mainly produced at the Mercedes Benz plant in Gaggenau at its Rastatt site. In the future, the gearboxes are supposed to be assembled and tested for the American market in Redford. The “DDC” subsidiary is presently building a complete truck gearbox assembly line in that location to supply the NAFTA market from there. The demand for Daimler truck gearboxes is continually increasing so that further test benches have already been ordered.

Test bench types for truck gearboxes

Blum-Novotest has supplied two types of test benches to Redford: Series test benches and audit test benches. A series test bench serves the final inspection of the gearbox assembly. This means that the gearboxes are tested for different functions after their assembly. On the series test bench, also called End-of-Line (EoL) test bench, different torque and revolution tests are performed to ensure the high assembly quality of the gearboxes. There are fully automatic test benches but also test benches in which a worker shifts the gears manually.

Audit test benches both verify the quality of series test benches and assume special functions. The gearboxes are put to the acid test at this point to discover any weaknesses.

The test benches differ completely in their external appearance in line with their requirements. For reasons of safety, the audit test bench in Redford is placed in a cabin of external dimensions of 13.5 m x 6 m x 3.5 m and a total weight of 23 t. The series test benches, on the other hand, are equipped with an automatic conveyor system and occupy an area of 140 m². To save space, the switchgear and electrical controls are installed on a second level. In fully automatic test benches, the only manual activities are performed prior to or after the test when the gearbox is equipped with or detached from cable sets, drive adapter, compressed air and hydraulic connections.

The gearboxes are tested with a test system specifically developed for this purpose by Daimler to ensure the comparability of the individual test benches. After testing, the gearboxes are forwarded to the dispatch area or, in case of an assembly error, to a rework section where they are repaired and retested.

Reliability around the clock

Globally operating companies like Daimler AG make extremely high demands in terms of quality and service on their partners. Blum-Novotest has done justice to them in every respect for years: The company thus offers very fast response times as well as 24/7 service availability worldwide and this irrespective of the time zone of the customer location. In addition, the measuring and testing specialist from Germany offers, if required, commissioning support in form of a services associate trained by Blum-Novotest. Daimler makes use of this support, for example, for its test benches in India and the US in order to keep the gearbox output constantly high and to avoid any downtimes.

Blum-Novotest continuous developing its test benches in a natural manner thus permanently improving efficiency and output.  Daimler appreciates this commitment very much and intends to continue the close partnership also in future.