CMM Cuts Inspection Time

An LK Metrology CMM helped Grindex cut inspection work from days to hours while improving reporting speed and process control.

March 30, 2026

Open Flipbook

In 2021, cylindrical grinding machine builder Grindex d.o.o. in Kikinda, Serbia, installed its first coordinate measuring machine (CMM), an Altera M 20.12.10 manufactured in the U.K. by Castle Donington-based LK Metrology Ltd. (LK Metrology Inc. is in New Hudson, Michigan.) Grindex uses the ex-demo CMM daily to check tolerances mainly tighter than ±0.05 mm (±0.002″). When the company was looking to invest, a CMM was chosen instead of an optical scanning metrology solution, which was not regarded as being sufficiently accurate. Having a nominal inspection volume of 2,000 mm × 1,200 mm × 1,000 mm (78.7″ × 47.2″ × 39.4″), the CMM is installed in a dedicated inspection room. The machine was supplied with a touch-trigger probe for general inspection and complex stylus builds. It also features an analog scanning probe for rapid capture of dimensional and surface data from:

• iron, steel and aluminium castings,
• engine housings,
• machined components,
• molded parts,
• fabrications, and
• additively manufactured components and assemblies.

Training and initial programming assistance formed part of the LK package, along with ongoing consultancy. The LK machine was selected in preference to other brands of CMMs based on recommendations from other manufacturers in nearby Serbian cities. The equipment has considerably upgraded the metrology capability of Grindex, whose quality control toolbox was previ-

END USER

SOLUTION PROVIDER

Grindex d.o.o. +381 230 315 101 www.grindex.rs LK Metrology Inc. 810-263-6100 www.lkmetrology.com

CHALLENGE

Upgrade metrology capabilities when building cylindrical grinding machines.

SOLUTION

Acoordinate measuring machine to anchor machine builder’s quality control toolbox. Nikola Biresev, quality manager at Grindex, using the LK CMM to inspect a B-axis housing for an internal grinder at the company’s factory in Kikinda, Serbia.

Finish task to continue reading

Review the print ads from this magazine to continue

This quick advertiser review unlocks the rest of the article and keeps the full-screen reader focused on the ads instead of the page chrome.

Advertisers included in this article experience

Print placements connected to this article

Janicki Industries Inc. GrayMatter Robotics

END USER SOLUTION PROVIDER scanned, the system plans the tool-

paths for the robot to follow along the part as it sands while ensur- ing there are no collisions and the surface shapes are properly main- tained, McKenzie said. “Without the Eliminate physically demanding and inconsistent AI system, all these parts we’d have CHALLENGE manual sanding of putty and Invar tooling. to have someone manually plan out.

END USER SOLUTION PROVIDER scanned, the system plans the tool- paths for the robot to follow along Janicki Industries Inc. GrayMatter Robotics the part as it sands while ensur- 888-856-5143 310-283-2335 ing there are no collisions and the www.janicki.com www.graymatter-robotics.com surface shapes are properly main- tained, McKenzie said. “Without the Eliminate physically demanding and inconsistent AI system, all these parts we’d have

Print page 41 Published 2026-03-30

Visit Janicki Industries Inc. GrayMatter Robotics View this placement in the issue record

LK Metrology

ously limited to a profile projector, micrometers, height gauges, calipers and a combination machine for roughness testing and checking the roundness of small parts. With the CMM, more comprehensive detection of out-of-tolerance features has enabled Grindex to spot errors in a metalcutting program earlier, which has lowered the company’s costs — both through more efficient production and a reduction in scrapped parts. “The LK CMM is used not only for quality control activities and problem solving, but also to support research and development,” said graduate mechanical engineer Nikola Biresev, quality manager at Grindex. “In particular, it is invaluable for inspecting complex continued on Page 38 ctemag.com/mfgaxis.com ProTimes.indd 37 37

3/19/26 10:03 AM

Productive Times

CMM Cuts Inspection Time

parts precisely prior to assembly into a grinding machine to avoid time-consuming fitting-up issues. “Previously, checking larger critical parts by hand took several days. Now it takes just a few hours to program the CMM to check a similar part, and then one to two hours to run the measuring cycle on the machine. “The next time we need to check an identical part, the program already exists, saving even more time,” Biresev noted.

“If the component is not quite the same, it is simple and quick to edit the program to accommodate the differences before running the cycle.” Biresev said Grindex is satisfied with the purchase of the CMM, and noted that the machine accommodates 95% of all its parts. Only the very largest items need to be inspected by an alternative method. In addition, the CMM is able to check components more than 1 cu. m (35.3 cu. ft.) in size to the same accuracy as it measures parts under 10 mm (0.39″) — “a big advantage.” Grindex uses LK’s Camio software for programming, simulation, analysis and more quickly generating reports, Biresev noted.

In contrast to its previous time-consuming manual method, Grindex now produces reports in about one hour. The CMM also enabled Grindex to quickly respond to inquiries from customers. Given that the grinding sector is highly quality conscious due to the fine tolerances and surface finishes that customers specify, they often send test parts to Grindex to verify the company’s metrology capabilities. Grindex is able to respond to such accuracy checks and generate reports much more quickly now that the LK measuring platform and software are in place.

Be the first to engage.

MFGAxis Discussion

Be the first to engage.

Scroll for the next article