Pioneering precision Renishaw's journey from touch-trigger probes to digital transformation

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Renishaw plc

Renishaw, a technology trailblazer, is renowned for its unparalleled precision in measurement and manufacturing. Born from the innovation of the touch-trigger probe for the Concorde's Olympus engines, the company is now a pioneer in fields ranging from 3D printing to robotics.

In the ever-evolving world of technology, one company stands out as a beacon of precision: Renishaw. Not only are they leaders in high precision measurement and manufacturing systems, but they also offer products that promise unparalleled traceability, instilling confidence in every user. Driven by their mantra 'Transforming Tomorrow Together', they're not just suppliers — they're collaborators, working hand in hand with customers to create the solutions of the future. In a rapidly changing landscape and an era of limited resources, Renishaw is determined to deliver ingenious, efficient solutions.

In 2023, the global engineering technologies business celebrates its 50th anniversary. Its success story dates back to the invention of a proprietary measurement solution when Renishaw's first product, the touch-trigger probe, was invented by now Executive Chairman, Sir David McMurtry. His idea solved a specific inspection requirement for the Olympus engines used in the Concorde plane and led to a revolution in three-dimensional coordinate measurement. His probe enabled the accurate measurement of machined components and finished assemblies.

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Although a significant proportion of Renishaw's business still comes from contact and non-contact laser measurement systems for CMMs and machine tools, the company now supplies a wide range of metrology systems for calibration, position feedback and gauging, as well as associated accessories such as styli and fixtures. It has also applied its core expertise in metrology, manufacturing and process control to the development of systems for non-destructive testing using Raman spectroscopy, robotics and drug delivery systems for brain surgery, and is a technology leader in metal additive manufacturing.

All about process control

Since its inception in 1973, the company's activities have revolved around process control and the elimination of sources of error. The focus is always on the user experience and enabling its customers to maintain their productivity and quality.

For tool and die makers, Renishaw offers for instance the NC4+ Blue (Non Contact Tool). Featuring the industry's first blue laser technology and improved optics, NC4+ Blue systems deliver significant improvements in tool measurement accuracy, ensuring that components can be machined more accurately and efficiently. Compared to the red laser sources used in conventional non-contact tool setters, blue laser technology has a shorter wavelength, resulting in improved diffraction effects and optimised laser beam geometry. This enables the measurement of very small tools while minimising tool-to-tool measurement error — a critical consideration when machining with a wide range of cutting tools. This solution integrates quality control and metrology into the CNC process.

By integrating metrology into the CNC process, Renishaw takes metrology out of the quality control room and onto the shop floor. This allows a quicker response if problems occur.

From Renishaw’s shop floor to the customer

As precision machining continues to grow, customers are looking for solutions to further improve efficiency. Renishaw provides these solutions. Its own digital transformation began in the early 1990s as demand for its probing systems grew. Their innovative approach to solving manufacturing challenges led to the development of our in-house Renishaw Automated Milling, Turning and Inspection Centre (Ramtic). Ramtic enabled them to use process control to increase production with unprecedented levels of machining accuracy and process automation. This automated solution was designed to meet a specific requirement and, like the touch-trigger probe before it, Ramtic revolutionised Renishaw's manufacturing operations. From this arose a connectivity solution available for every manufacturing company: Renishaw Central.

“Renishaw Central is a powerful manufacturing connectivity and data platform that was born out of our need to digitise end-to-end manufacturing operations within our own production facilities,” explains James Hartley, Application and Marketing Manager at Renishaw's Machine Tool Products Division. It provides a clear view of a manufacturing facility's process and metrology data. It does this by collecting process, machine and part data from across the shop floor, including additive manufacturing (AM) systems, on-machine measurement, shop floor gauging and coordinate measuring machines (CMMs). Renishaw Central gives users and their existing systems standardised, easy access to this data via its open API, enabling them to reap the benefits of industrial digitalisation. It helps companies use their own business tools to improve efficiency, optimise their processes and implement intelligent manufacturing solutions.

This is an example of how Renishaw solved a problem in its own manufacturing environment and immediately tailored a customer-focused solution that has since been proven in many manufacturing operations.

Pioneer in metal additive manufacturing

Innovation is part of its heritage and culture, and Renishaw has been transforming technology since it was founded in 1973. So it is not surprising that the company recognised the potential of additive manufacturing early on. Renishaw is the UK's only manufacturer of metal additive manufacturing systems. Its AM solutions cover applications from prototyping to production. The ability to offer solutions for both 3D printing, metrology and software integration is a unique selling point for Renishaw. Its additive manufacturing machines use laser powder bed fusion to produce 3D metal parts from digital files. Thin layers of material are used to create complex shapes that cannot be produced by traditional manufacturing methods such as casting, forging and machining.

“Our success over 50 years has been built on providing robust and reliable products that solve manufacturing problems across a wide range of industry sectors,” explained Will Lee, Chief Executive at Renishaw. “We’re seeing customers struggle with reducing production errors and material waste and wanted to provide them with automated tools to better connect data across the various production stages. That way, customers don’t need to compromise on speed, accuracy or flexibility. Our solutions can demonstrate the role of newer technologies, such as AM, in the future of manufacturing and how its technologies can help meet sustainability goals.” This underlines the company’s objective to look further ahead than the present.

Future-oriented mindset

The company wants to solve problems of the future. This includes, nurturing talents of the future e.g. through apprenticeship or graduate programs. “As an employer, we want to ensure we create a working environment where everyone feels included. Our aim is to promote a culture that embraces our people’s differences and our new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy supports this. As a business that has always taken the long-term view, Renishaw worked hard to develop sustainable operations. For example, we’ve invested in selfgeneration of electricity at its larger sites and purchase most of our remaining electricity from renewable sources. Its Net Zero commitment promises that we’ll go even further”, says Chief Executive Will Lee.

Renishaw's forward-looking approach encompasses impressive sustainability achievements and further targets. For example, the company has agreed a new net zero commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent compared to our FY2020 baseline. They have committed to achieving this reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2028 and in Scope 3 emissions by 2050 at the latest. The remaining ten percent of emissions will be addressed through credible carbon offsetting and removal programmes. While this commitment is new, Renishaw has been working to reduce its emissions for many years. For example, it has installed solar panels at its largest manufacturing sites and generates around ten percent of the electricity it uses itself.

“Our strategy is designed to deliver sustainable, profitable growth by ensuring we have the agility and resources to identify and respond to opportunities in our markets”, Lee summarises the group’s philosophy, and its founder adds: “While there continues to be some global uncertainties due to the geopolitical environment and rising costs for consumers and manufacturers, the last two years have demonstrated the great resilience of our business and people. I therefore feel that whatever challenges and opportunities we may face in the coming years, we’ll be able to respond positively and continue to deliver on our purpose”.

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