The ROMER Absolute Arm measuring device ensures the highest quality of modern trams

Solaris - Poland

Solaris---Poland
Solaris - an ambassador of the Polish industry and its unquestionable symbol, a pioneer in its industry, currently recognised by millions of Poles who use public transport services, the manufacturer of state-of-the-art buses and trolleybuses, quite recently also invested in the manufacturing of trams. Solaris buses are known not only in Poland, but also in 24 European countries and in the United Arab Emirates. The Solaris logo, a green dachshund, represents the key features of their products: length, low floor and environmentally friendly characteristics. The ROMER Absolute Arm, a measuring machine from Hexagon Metrology, guarantees the highest quality of Solaris tram components.

Solaris is an unquestionable pioneer in its industry – in 1994 it launched the first low-floor bus on the Polish market, and in 2006 it demonstrated the first in Europe mass-produced bus with a hybrid system. Solaris buses are distinguished by the lowered right-side windscreen, which provides the driver with excellent visibility.

Measurement time reduced by half

_DSC0087To meet the expectations of its customers, Solaris decided to choose a quality control solution from Hexagon Metrology. Last year, by moving with the times, in response to very high railway engineering standards, the company purchased the ROMER Absolute Arm measuring machine. The 4.5-metre measuring system was proven to be ideal for large size detail measurement. With this system the measurement time was reduced by half. Currently, every week one new tram leaves the Poznan plant. It would be impossible without the Hexagon Metrology solution. Marcin Wojciechowski, Quality Control Manager, confirms that “without the arm, a number of measurements would be impossible to make, while others would be made very difficult”.

Tram body measuring speed and comfort

The ROMER Absolute Arm is used on the shop floor in the “Welding Shop” at the Sroda Wielkopolska plant, where even several times a day it is moved between the production shop and the operator’s office room. It is used to measure the two tram body areas; one is the connection of the body with the bogie and the second is the body articulation joints. The operators make measurements quickly and comfortably.

_DSC0112The measurement speed is enhanced by using absolute encoders which mean that no repeatable referencing is required. In addition, the TKJ probe fixture system manufactured by TESA, (which is also part of Hexagon Metrology group) allows a probe to be replaced easily and quickly without the need to recalibrate it. The arm can be operated easily and comfortably for measuring details up to several meters in height due to the patented ZERO-G counterbalance. According to Marcin Wojciechowski, Welding Quality Control Manager at Solaris, an unquestionable advantage of using the measuring system from Hexagon Metrology is also the ability to re-use the measuring program by using PC-DMIS software.

A reliable partner

Marcin Wojciechowski emphasises that now it is impossible to imagine working without the ROMER Absolute Arm. He confirms that the measuring arm is an absolutely necessary tool at Solaris. “With it we are all sure that the measurements we make are reliable and credible. Hexagon Metrology is our valuable and reliable partner, while the ROMER Absolute Arm guarantees the quality of our products.”