4m wide, 8m long, 3.5m high – WENZEL's next-generation CMM enables Gerg to perform high-precision in-house measurement of large-scale components.

 

 

Whether steel, aluminum, titanium, fiberglass, carbon fiber, or plastic – Gerg has mastered the processing of all these materials. Based in Hohenthann, Upper Bavaria, the company uses these materials to manufacture components for the automotive, motorsport, aerospace, mechanical engineering, semiconductor technology, and defense industries. With comprehensive, end-to-end manufacturing capabilities – ranging from process design, structural design, machining, CFRP lightweight construction, laser cladding, optical technologies, coating, laser welding, vacuum casting, injection molding, to assembly and final inspection – Gerg offers its customers one-stop, high-complexity, premium products.

 

"Our components weigh anywhere from a few grams to several tons – and every single one demands the highest manufacturing precision," explains Stefan Rocheanu, measurement technician in Gerg's quality assurance department. "In the aerospace industry, the high-end components we manufacture must meet extremely rigorous and precise customer requirements, and we must provide corresponding acceptance documentation. In motorsport, every single part also has to function flawlessly."

 

This calls for equally reliable measurement methods. These components often feature complex geometries and tight tolerances – for example, maximum form deviation of 0.02 mm on large 3D surfaces, flatness requirements below 0.02 mm on often very large planar areas, and extremely stringent positional tolerances (0.01 mm). Rocheanu adds: "We also have to measure rotationally symmetrical components with depths exceeding 1,000 mm, where coaxiality requirements are as tight as 0.04 mm."

 

 

In the past, Gerg had limited capabilities for measuring large components. These parts were either inspected internally using optical methods or outsourced to external partners for contact measurement. The latter approach was time-consuming, labor-intensive, and costly. Consequently, the company decided to invest in a coordinate measuring machine. The final choice was the WENZEL LH Gantry 2617 CMM. With a measurement range of 2,600 × 6,000 × 1,750 mm, this is the largest machine in this series that WENZEL has ever developed and manufactured, specifically designed for inspecting large-volume, heavy components with high reliability and precision.

 

 

"These precision-manufactured components must be measured efficiently and with repeatable accuracy. We also need to provide our customers with documentation of these measurement results," Rocheanu emphasizes. "With the LH Gantry 2617, we can perform measurements precisely and generate reliable, repeatable measurement results. We use the results from in-process or final measurements to demonstrate process stability or to optimize processes where necessary."

 

Seamless integration of measuring equipment and software

 

Gerg's decision to choose the LH Gantry 2617, along with other WENZEL measuring systems (such as the LH 1010 and two RA series horizontal arm CMMs), was based on multiple factors. The excellent price-to-performance ratio of the solution was a decisive factor. Equally convincing for those responsible was the seamless integration of these machines with the existing measurement software, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted workflows.

 

 

Today, the significantly extended Y-axis of the LH Gantry 2617 enables Gerg to precisely measure extra-long, large-volume components, substantially expanding the machine's application range. The CMM features a holistic design philosophy with mechanical optimization throughout; all axes are equipped with granite to ensure maximum rigidity, vibration damping, and long-term stability. Thanks to air bearings on all axes and the high-guide design of the Y-axis, this CMM boasts a particularly robust structure, delivering reliable measurement results even under dynamic motion conditions. An optional active vibration damping system is available, eliminating the need for a separate foundation. Automatic temperature compensation and an optional rotary table further enhance the machine's flexibility.

 

As a CNC coordinate measuring machine, the LH Gantry series is consistently designed for large-component measurement applications, combining high load-bearing capacity with precise motion guidance. The homogeneous machine structure facilitates uniform load distribution, thereby maintaining consistently high measurement accuracy throughout the entire measurement range. At the same time, the modular machine design supports customer-specific measurement ranges and allows for the integration of various probe systems. Available in multiple accuracy classes, the LH Gantry series offers flexibly scalable solutions for demanding measurement tasks in the large, heavy-component sector.