Value without compromise

John Hogan, Sales Manager for Insize UK & Ireland, explains why cost-conscious manufacturers are discovering that value and performance no longer have to sit at opposite ends of the metrology scale

Manufacturers have always kept a close eye on their purse strings, but in today’s climate every capital purchase seemingly comes under ever-greater scrutiny. Whatever the type of investment, buyers want reassurance they’re getting genuine value for money. For Insize, it’s creating an interesting opportunity.

Insize is already the biggest supplier of metrology equipment in China and almost certainly the fastest-growing player globally. In Europe, while still something of a rising star, word is quickly spreading.

“We’re finding that more and more companies are prepared to look beyond the traditional names in metrology,” states John. “They realise they can achieve the same levels of capability and accuracy, but at a far more attractive price point.”

Changing perceptions

In the case of Insize, John is keen to stress that lower cost does not mean lower quality.

“We’re a serious producer of high-end metrology equipment. All of our specifications are openly published and rigorously assessed. Customers can compare our products directly with established brands.”

Revenue figures certainly suggest a company on the rise. Founded in 1996, Insize already generates annual turnover of around €85 million and continues to expand. The company today operates from an ultra-modern headquarters facility in Suzhou that employs around 400 people, mainly in R&D, assembly, testing and calibration roles.

“I think our ultra-fast growth tells its own story,” he remarks. “You simply can’t keep expanding at this rate if the products don’t perform and customers aren’t happy.”

Seeing the bigger picture

While hand tools still account for the majority of Insize sales in the UK, another area is quickly gathering momentum. As manufacturers seek faster inspection processes and struggle to recruit experienced CMM programmers, vision-based metrology solutions are becoming increasingly attractive.

“With vision, you don’t need to be a trained CMM programmer; you don’t necessarily even need to be an engineer. The programming is intuitive and mostly icon-based. It’s a huge advantage in today’s skills market.”

At the heart of the company’s offer are ISD series CNC vision measurement systems and the QMS quick measurement system range.

ISD machines are, in effect, miniature CMMs that capture huge amounts of data. Where a conventional CMM might collect a handful of discrete points in several seconds, a vision system can acquire hundreds of points almost instantly.

“The more data points you collect, the more confidence you have in the result,” asserts John. “Whether you’re measuring a diameter, a line or a complex profile, speed and repeatability are major benefits.”

Then there’s the QMS series, which perhaps best illustrates why vision technology is proving so popular.

“The user simply loads the part, presses a button and the machine measures everything it can see. There’s almost no programming knowledge required.”

Mind the gap

Another product area attracting increasing interest is the Insize range of laser micrometers. Designed for measuring diameters, roundness and runout, the systems are particularly well suited to manufacturers producing close-tolerance (≤20 µm) cylindrical components.

“There isn’t a huge amount of competition for this type of device, particularly in our price-to-performance bracket,” he notes. “The systems are fast and eliminate operator influence, providing key gains over manual measurement methods.”

The technology also fills an important gap between traditional tactile CMM inspection and vision measurement.

“Sometimes, cameras aren’t quite accurate enough and CMMs aren’t quite fast enough. A laser micrometer provides the answer.”

Looking ahead

Although Insize has been supplying equipment into the UK for around a decade, the company feels it’s only just getting started. A UK headquarters planned for 2027, complete with dedicated applications and service personnel, will complement existing European support facilities in Czechia and Spain. The company also has an emerging presence in France, Italy and Poland.

“We’re seeing a lot of repeat business because customers are pleasantly surprised by the quality of the equipment and our level of support,” concludes John.

In metrology, as in manufacturing generally, value isn’t simply about buying the cheapest product. It’s about achieving the right balance between quality, performance and customer service. For a growing number of companies, Insize is providing the sweet spot.