Case Study: Brompton achieves faster, more repeatable bike frame inspection with Hexagon CMM automation

Automated inspection for the commuters choice in personal transport

Brompton Bicycle, a London-based manufacturer of the iconic folding bicycle, faced a challenge in scaling its production to meet increasing global demand. To modernize its manufacturing and achieve a twenty-first-century solution. Brompton turned to vendor Hexagon and invested in a DEA GLOBAL Performance coordinate measuring machine (CMM) to automate the inspection of bike frames and sub-assemblies.

Hexagon provided the CMM along with its PC-DMIS CAD software and a series of custom-designed fixtures to hold parts for repeatable measurement. The solution offered significant ease of use, allowing Brompton to train shop floor operators for unsupervised use. This investment, described by Brompton as its most significant capital purchase, ensured extremely high product quality, provided the flexibility to handle part changes, and was a key component in the company's plan to double its manufacturing output.

Brompton

Terry Blackman

Quality Control Engineer