Zoller

Star SU Uses Virtual Inspection and Cut Simulation

Recent changes in automotive technology include a move away from hydraulic to electric steering systems. For Star SU, that means much tighter tolerances in the manufacture of rack milling cutters at their Tawas, Michigan plant. Today’s steering systems contain highly engineered rack and pinion components.

The complexity and precision of these components require cutting tool measurement techniques not found on standard inspection equipment. Recently, Andy Kobs, Star SU cutting tool designer, met Werner Lueken, Zoller inspection product manager, at a meeting of AGMA. They discussed the need for a special application to measure and inspect the rack milling cutters Star SU manufactures. Lueken offered a new solution in the form of measuring and inspecting the milling cutters visually, and to the micron, using the Zoller hobCheck system.