Metrology CMM investment positions Action Plas for Formula 1 and future growth

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With Formula 1 placing fresh demands on accuracy and quality assurance, Action Plas Group has upgraded its inspection department with a new LK Metrology CMM. The investment is improving the measurement of complex plastic and metal parts while creating a stronger platform for future business growth.

Design and contract manufacturing firm Action Plas Group, Pudsey/UK, which specialises in machining and fabricating mainly plastic but also metal components and assemblies for a wide variety of industries including automotive, food and drink, pharmaceutical and power generation, has upgraded its quality control department with the purchase of an Altera M 20.12.10 coordinate measuring machine (CMM), built by LK Metrology at its factory near Derby, UK.

The machine is supporting pre-delivery inspection of the subcontractor’s high-value, complex machined and additively manufactured parts, including most recently numerous critical items for a well-known Formula 1 team. This latest association was the trigger for the new CMM acquisition, which forms part of a £1 million investment programme focused on the F1 customer. Improved inspection capability was driven by increasing complexity of contract production requests, particularly for demanding, low-volume, high-tolerance plastic components for the energy recovery system in race cars.

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Action Plas technical director Jonathan Wray said, “Previously we were struggling to measure these components, which feature complex geometry and demanding tolerances, using an ageing CMM from another manufacturer. The challenge was compounded by the fact that components used in F1 race cars must be accurate and fit correctly first time, as failure at the race track is simply not an option.

“We need to specify the exact form, orientation and location of features such as bores, aerofoils and wall thicknesses, typical part-to-CAD tolerance being 10 microns. Without the new CMM, we would have struggled to measure these features to GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) requirements.”

The solution supplied by LK Metrology included an Altera M 20.12.10 CMM, which offers a working volume of nominally 2.0 x 1.2 x 1 metres, allowing the measurement of large components and assemblies. The machine was equipped with a Renishaw SP25M Scanning Probe Kit 2, which is capable of both high-speed scanning and traditional touch probing. The fine controllability of the LK CMM’s axis movements ensures that scanning and probing forces are light so as not to damage some Action Plas parts that are particularly delicate.

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The complete inspection package also included LK CAMIO 2025 R2 programming and reporting software, which is fully compatible with GD&T, together with comprehensive training and consultancy services. Action Plas had considered buying a handheld probing system, but this was dismissed due to its limited measuring capability compared to the CMM’s higher accuracy, repeatability, ability to program from CAD and automated inspection.

LK was able to provide quick CMM delivery from stock, supplying the machine just two weeks after the order was placed, and even assisted with measuring some initial components on their demo machines as part of the initial training. Action Plas found the approach very accommodating and consultative, and was impressed with LK’s UK manufacturing facility in Castle Donington. The CMM is in daily use at the Pudsey manufacturing facility across the R&D, quality control and production departments.

The most significant outcome is not just the ability to save time, but the elevated level of confidence Action Plas can now provide to its customer base, convincing the F1 client and others that it has the definitive capability to produce conforming parts to meet the most stringent tolerance requirements. This capability has enabled the subcontractor to successfully take on more complex and higher-value work, paving the way for strong business growth. Furthermore, there is potential to add laser scanning to the CMM to investigate even more complex components and features in the future.

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