Extol CMM Powers Automated Manufacturing in China
It’s always refreshing to see British technology heading east, and not the other way around, as Aberlink’s Extol shopfloor CMMs continue to support world-class manufacturing across the globe.
A new shipment of Aberlink Extol Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs) has just left the UK bound for China, reinforcing the growing global demand for robust and highly automated metrology solutions. The order underlines the role of the Extol CMM as a cornerstone technology for smart manufacturing environments, where measurement must be accurate, fast, and seamlessly integrated into production.
Building Smart, Closed-Loop Manufacturing in China
Aberlink’s Chinese distributor, Danstin, has been instrumental in placing the Extol into the facilities of leading OEMs. These customers are driving toward in-process quality control – a capability that is increasingly essential in the pursuit of lights-out, fully automated manufacturing.
By integrating the Aberlink 3D Automation module with tool offset correction software, Danstin’s customers are building closed-loop production cells in which measurement results automatically feed back into machining processes. Tool wear, thermal drift, and process variability can therefore be corrected in real-time, ensuring that production remains within tolerance without operator intervention.
This seamless loop of measurement → correction → production reduces downtime, minimizes scrap, and allows manufacturers to maintain consistently high quality at scale.
The Extol Advantage: Designed for the Shopfloor
Unlike traditional CMMs that demand a temperature-controlled inspection room, the Aberlink Extol has been purpose-built for the shopfloor environment. Its ultra-stable construction and advanced thermal compensation system allow it to deliver reliable accuracy even in fluctuating factory conditions.
Key technical highlights include:
Measurement Volume: Available in sizes up to 1000 x 1000 x 600 mm, making it versatile for a wide range of components.
Accuracy: Accuracy: Typical volumetric accuracy in the 2–3 micron range (depending on configuration and size).
Construction: A granite base and linear guideways provide rigidity and long-term stability.
Sensors & Probing: Compatible with both touch-trigger and scanning probes, enabling high-speed measurement of complex geometries.
Automation-Ready: Native integration with Aberlink 3D’s automation suite makes it ideal for robotic loading, in-line inspection, and adaptive manufacturing cells.
Thermal Stability: Real-time temperature compensation ensures measurement integrity in non-controlled environments.
These design principles make the Extol not just a measurement tool, but a process enabler for next-generation manufacturing systems.
Reshaping the Future of Precision Engineering
As more manufacturers worldwide embrace Industry 4.0 principles, the demand for in-process, automated metrology is growing rapidly. The shipment of Extol CMMs to China highlights not only Aberlink’s export success but also the trust global OEMs are placing in Aberlink’s metrology innovations.
The Extol doesn’t simply measure components – it actively drives productivity, accuracy, and efficiency across entire manufacturing ecosystems. By reducing reliance on manual inspection, enabling closed-loop process control, and supporting lights-out production, the Extol is helping to reshape the global future of precision engineering.
For more information: www.aberlink.com
