Local diesel engine and compo- nent remanufacturer Metric Automotive Engi-neering has commissioned an advanced laser measurement and alignment system, which aims to simplify bore and bearing journal alignment for the automotive sector.

“The new-generation heavy diesel engines are now moving from 16-cylinder to 18- and 20-cylinder one-piece engine blocks,” explains Metric Auto-motive Engineering operations manager Andrew Yorke, adding that, as the blocks become larger, the alignment of the main bearing bores becomes critical.

“The best way to verify bore alignment, both pre- and post- machining, is to harness this accurate laser alignment diag-nostic tool. In fact, this has become the globally preferred method to align bores with one another.”

He explains that, at the end of the measurement process, the machine produces a report with graphical and numerical values that forms part of Metric Automotive Engineering’s inspec- tion documentation.

The laser measurement and alignment system automatically calculates the bearing journals in relation to each other, both horizontally and vertically. It also allows for the analysis of different choices of reference points and enables the user to set offset and tolerance values.

Yorke cites checking ‘ovality’ as a key feature of this option, allowing the user to analyse the wear rate of a bearing journal.

Both full- and half-bearing journals can be measured and aligned with equal simplicity, while a wireless detector elimi-nates uncertain factors such as cable pull, he adds.

The new machine allows Metric Automotive Engineering to store more than 200 000 measurements, is capable of measuring distances from zero to 40 m and offers a measurement resolution of 0.001 mm.

“This level of accuracy is astounding. We are now able to prove to customers why a line bore needs to be machined,” boasts Yorke, adding that, because heavy engines are costly to overhaul, the dimensions of the housings are critical.

“The postmachining report provides a record of size and alignment for warranty purposes, should this issue arise. It gives our customers peace of mind,” he says.

The Germiston-based com-pany was established as a family business in 1969. Today, Metric Automotive Engineering’s services include cylinder-head remanufacture, milling, honing and boring of cylinder heads, camshaft grinding, crankshaft grinding, engine assembly and dynamometer testing.