Expanding Inspection Capabilities with Mitutoyo Formtracer Avant
The Adams Company has officially added a Mitutoyo Formtracer Avant to our in-house inspection equipment. This dual-type hybrid system will enhance our ability to measure both form and surface roughness, especially in hard-to-reach areas that standard tools cannot handle.
Earlier this year, members of our team visited Mitutoyo America Corporation in Aurora, Illinois, to assess the machine firsthand. After reviewing its capabilities and seeing it in action, the decision was clear. We needed a system that could handle tight tolerances and tricky surfaces with greater accuracy, speed, and flexibility.
The Formtracer’s hybrid head makes quick work of contour and roughness evaluations without requiring machine switching. A sensor swap can switch modes in seconds, and its stylus can even measure internal threads and curved profiles without requiring custom fixturing. With features such as an inclinable X-axis drive unit, internal cabling, and stylus drop detection, it’s designed for both safety and performance.
For The Adams Company, this upgrade means shorter inspection times, enhanced reach into intricate geometries like internal threads and curved profiles, and tighter quality control. Whether we’re inspecting a finished gear face or verifying a splined shaft, the Formtracer adds another level of confidence to our ISO 9001-inspected process.
As we continue to take on complex gearbox parts—such as internal splines, steep contours, and fine surface finishes—this new equipment enables us to inspect them with greater speed and precision. The Formtracer enables us to access features that were previously difficult to measure, thereby improving confidence in parts before they ever leave our facility. It’s another way we’re ensuring that every component we ship meets specifications, complies with code, and performs as expected in the field.
