Renishaw unveils the Primo™ twin-probe system
Affordable ‘pay-as-you-go’ machine tool probe system brings high-end manufacturing within reach of every company.
Renishaw, a market leading engineering technologies company, introduces the Renishaw Primo™ system at CIMT 2015, Beijing, China. This market development opens up high-value manufacturing to companies of all sizes. Machine tool probes are the foundation of precision manufacturing. Now, through a combination of minimal upfront costs, a free, comprehensive training package, and immediate parts replacement in a unique ‘pay-as-you-go’ model, the Renishaw Primo system represents a significant step forward in the way that machine tool probes can be introduced.
In factories across the globe, demand is growing for higher precision in manufacturing to ever greater tolerances – many manufacturers work to tolerances of less than 100 microns (the width of a human hair). Machine tool probes play a vital role in enabling manufacturing companies to meet these exacting specifications at each stage of the machining process: before, during and after cutting. Jean-Marc Meffre, President – Far East, Renishaw, said: “Amid rising wages, skills shortages and fierce global competition, the move to high-value manufacturing has become an economic imperative for many companies and countries. Precision measurement and machine tool probes are key to achieving the level of quality required to compete.”
Mr Meffre continued: “Our research showed that customer concerns, including investment cost, ease of-use and durability, have held some companies back from using probes. Our response is the Renishaw Primo system, a truly innovative approach that addresses each of these concerns. With a low initial cost, free training kit and immediate parts replacement, the Primo system now enables every manufacturer in Asia to grasp the opportunities of high-value manufacturing.
The latest pioneering initiative from Renishaw and a first for the industry, the Primo system offers users all of the advantages of automated setting at a very affordable price. The twin-probe system comprises the Primo Radio Part Setter, Primo Radio 3D Tool Setter and Primo Interface. The Primo Radio Part Setter accurately locates a workpiece prior to machining and the Primo Radio 3D Tool Setter measures the length and diameter of cutting tools. The Primo system has three additional key elements: Renishaw Primo Credit Token, Primo Total Protect and GoProbe software.
Renishaw Primo Credit Tokens enable the ‘pay-as-you-go’ solution which makes the Primo system unique and ensures an affordable initial investment, attractive overall purchase price and fast payback. Users buy a six-month credit token which enables unlimited use of the Primo machine tool probe system during that period. Once the credit expires, users can simply purchase an additional credit token to extend system usage by another six months. New credit can be inserted at any time and will be added to the remaining credit. An upgrade credit token is also available to provide unrestricted continuous use.
Registration of a valid credit token activates Primo Total Protect, which provides cover against accidental probe damage. If any hardware element of the system is damaged, Renishaw will replace it free of charge. Primo Total Protect provides the same level of coverage experienced by long-term contracted customers of more sophisticated systems. Finally, the GoProbe software and supporting training kit makes these already easy-to-use machine tool probes even simpler. A comprehensive self-study package with a range of training tools and modules guides users through everything they need to get the most out of the Renishaw Primo system.
