Measurement and control supplier celebrates 50 years

Founded on April 4, 1973, the company was formed to commercialize the invention of a touch-trigger probe by Sir David McMurtry, who is Renishaw’s current executive chairman (Figure 1). The probe solved a dimensional measurement problem faced by Rolls-Royce when manufacturing the Olympus engines that powered the supersonic Concorde aircraft. The probe also solved similar challenges being faced by many precision manufacturers around the world, ultimately allowing measurement on coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) to be automated for the first time.

Rolls-Royce took out a patent on McMurtry’s original design, which was filed on September 21, 1972, with him acknowledged as the inventor (Figure 2). He discussed the touch-trigger probe with a colleague, John Deer, who is Renishaw’s current non-executive deputy chairman (Figure 3). He also saw the wider commercial opportunities for the invention and Rolls-Royce agreed to license the patent to them but would only do so if they had a limited liability company. For expediency, they purchased an off-the-shelf company and registered Renishaw Electrical.

McMurtry and Deer quickly saw the potential for the use of probes on computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools and in 1977 Renishaw launched its first commercial probe for machine tools (Figure 4).

“We at Mazak would like to extend a hearty congratulations to Renishaw on its 50th Anniversary,” said Dan Janka, president of Mazak. “Mazak has had a longstanding relationship with Renishaw, which is a leader in its industry, and we often rely on their metrology in the testing and demonstration of our manufacturing technologies such as with the Mazak Smooth Set & Inspect function that uses Renishaw probes and helps speed job setups for our customers.”

A significant amount of Renishaw’s business is still derived from contact and non-contact laser measurement systems for CMMs and machine tools, the company now supplies a wide range of metrology systems for calibration, position feedback and gauging, plus associated accessories including styli and fixturing. It has also applied its core expertise in measurement, manufacturing and process control to develop systems for non-destructive testing using Raman spectroscopy, robots and drug delivery systems for brain surgery, and is also a technology leader in the field of metal additive manufacturing—3D printing.

"Renishaw has four main product groups—precision measurement and process control; position and motion control; healthcare; and additive manufacturing," explained Jim Ready, regional sales manager at Renishaw. "I look after the precision measurement and process control products for a seven-state territory in the upper Midwest. Our products help manufacturers maximize production output, reduce the time it takes to produce and inspect components and keep their machines running reliably."

Over the past 50 years, Renishaw’s products have affected key aspects of component manufacturing and scientific research, contributing to the ability to make precision products that are used daily. From the manufacture of aircraft, cars, smartphones, electric vehicle batteries and solar panels to brain surgery and dentistry, there are few industries untouched by the company’s ongoing innovations.

"Our Hurco customers use a variety Renishaw part and tool probes for their individual applications," explained Mike Cope, product technical specialist at Hurco. "Renishaw products are both reliable and accurate, and they provide our customers with the confidence they need to be successful."

Renishaw employs 5,200 employees in 36 countries, including 3,400 staff at its sites in the United Kingdom, primarily in Gloucestershire and South Wales.

“This is a year to reflect on the tremendous achievements of our co-founders and employees past and present, who have done so much to advance precision manufacturing globally and to look forward with confidence to future decades of innovation and growth,” said Will Lee, chief executive at Renishaw.

“The formula that has ensured Renishaw’s success over the past 50 years remains at the heart of our approach to business—investing heavily in research and development to ensure a continuing stream of world-leading products; a commitment to high-quality in-house manufacturing that ensures we can meet the exacting requirements of our global customers; and a focus on excellent local customer service and support through our wholly owned subsidiary operations,” continued Lee.

“On behalf of Renishaw, I would also like to thank our customers and suppliers, many of whom we have had close relationships with for most of our history and with whom we have shared mutual success, and our other stakeholders, including our local communities who have been highly supportive of our growth and have also shared in our success,” concluded Lee.

Renishaw’s largest manufacturing sites are located in the United Kingdom, Ireland and India. About 95% of Renishaw’s $840 million in sales was due to exports, largely in China, the United States, Japan and Germany.

"From an OEM standpoint, and I am sure an end-user standpoint, as well, Renishaw’s support when we have questions has always been very easy to come by and quick with answers," said Jason Falk, applications manager, CMTSE, at Hurco. "It is nice when dealing with such technical products to have support when you need it to keep production moving."