LAW NDT, the specialist for automation solutions for production and testing processes, has launched the MEXS 400, a modular testing system for eddy current and optical testing of components such as screws, bolts, gears and fasteners.

"The advantages of our unique modular design of the MEXS 400 come into play not only in the daily production and testing process, but also in complex situations such as retooling and modernization measures. Instead of converting the entire machine on site while production is at a standstill for weeks, the customer simply replaces a module and after a brief interruption, production of completely different components or even higher quantities can start up again. A reduction in downtime of up to 70 percent is offset by an increase in productivity of up to 45 percent," says company owner and Managing Director Reza Mahllati, explaining the principle behind the innovative testing system.

Flexible modules instead of permanently installed test stations

The engineer took over the company in 2019 from the founders, who retired after 30 years. Under his management, LAW NDT is turning traditional special machine construction into almost series production. "With the MEXS 400, we already have 80 percent of every individually ordered machine in stock; we then only manufacture the component-specific material feed and integrate it into the manufacturer's production process. Instead of a delivery time of six months, the customer can start production after just eight to ten weeks," says Mahllati.

The standard version of the MEXS 400 consists of two opposing module shafts and can be extended on site to accommodate up to ten prefabricated and standardized modules. Upcoming testing tasks for new products are discussed and planned with the customer in advance. The modules are then pre-equipped by LAW NDT and are available at the start of production. Technical Managing Director Christoph Kaiser explains the technology: "With the MEXS 400, we have replaced the conventional plate with its ever-increasing diameters with an oval transport section and the familiar, permanently installed test stations have been turned into individual, flexible modules. Modules that can be inserted into the system at any time, register fully automatically in the system and reliably complete a changed task in the shortest possible time. This not only reduces time and costs, but also saves a lot of expensive and usually non-existent space at the manufacturers."

Innovative feeding and transport system

Thanks to the modular design and the separation between the material transport and measuring system, several different products can be tested simultaneously in one process, depending only on the number of module positions and the mounted feed and ejection positions. The MEXS 400 also uses an innovative and patented material feed system. Feeding on a continuous level from the guide rail to the transport system eliminates bottlenecks in the parts flow. "While the capacity of the plate is exhausted at some point in traditional testing systems, we can extend our transport section relatively easily and thus feed more components into the system in the same amount of time. Just like a train, we simply add one more carriage to the train," continues Mahllati.

With the Smart Check app, customers can log into the inspection system via their smartphone at any time and from anywhere, giving them a complete overview of the production results and the condition of the machine in real time, including maintenance and wear. Internet access is all that is needed and LAW NDT technicians can provide support directly in the system via remote maintenance.

"The MEXS 400 is our answer to the ever-increasing demands on component-specific quality assurance." Managing Director Mahllati has two customer groups in his sights: "For manufacturers of large quantities, production downtime during long changeover times is a thing of the past. Instead, they will be able to react more flexibly to short-term changes in demand and production thanks to the modular design. But companies that tend to think in terms of small batch sizes will also find the MEXS 400 an efficient long-term replacement for their manual or external testing solutions."