Mitutoyo’s Measurement Technologies Support Precision Manufacturing at Gnosjö Automatsvarvning

Sweden-based Gnosjö Automatsvarvning uses advanced measurement and verification technologies to ensure the high quality and tolerance levels required by its customers. Through its long-standing cooperation with Mitutoyo, the company is strengthening its competitive position with precision measurement equipment and technical support.

Founded in 1974 in Sweden’s Småland region, the family-owned Gnosjö Automatsvarvning manufactures turned components for various industries, particularly the automotive sector. Due to its demanding tolerance and verification requirements, the automotive industry represents one of the company’s most important markets. More than half of its production is exported to customers worldwide.

Gnosjö Automatsvarvning CEO Linda Fransson explains the company’s production capabilities:

“We work with bar materials ranging from 4 to 80 millimetres. Our production ranges from small batches of 50 units to large series involving millions of identical components.”

Cooperation began in 1992

Fransson, who has spent her entire professional career in the family business, first worked with Mitutoyo at the age of 18, when the company supported her high school graduation project. Gnosjö Automatsvarvning purchased its first Mitutoyo measuring instrument in 1992.

Keeping pace with new technologies and being willing to test innovative solutions have since become important parts of the company’s culture.

“Over the years, we have made many special requests to Mitutoyo. Each time, they have provided solutions that met our needs,” Fransson says.

Employing approximately 60 people, Gnosjö Automatsvarvning has worked extensively to automate its measurement and verification processes wherever possible. The aim is to ensure that all employees can operate the equipment easily while maintaining high standards of automation, organisation and systematic working practices.

A dedicated measurement program for every product

Each component is verified by the operator who knows the machine and the part best. This approach makes user-friendly and durable measuring equipment particularly important.

The company uses a separate measurement program created with Mitutoyo software for every product. Its equipment ranges from callipers and micrometers to coordinate measuring machines, contour measuring systems and surface roughness measuring instruments.

Gnosjö Automatsvarvning’s measurement equipment includes:

• RA-2200 CNC Extreme
• RA-2200AS
• LSM
• CV-3100H4
• RA-2100AS
• PJ-H30
• SV-3100S4
• MeasurLink
• U-WAVE
• Two specialised LEGEX coordinate measuring machines

Fransson says the company sources all the equipment required for measurement and verification from Mitutoyo. Although it has tested other suppliers in certain areas, it has not found an alternative capable of delivering the required level of quality.

Measurement accuracy down to 0.45 micrometres

The two specialised Mitutoyo LEGEX measuring machines at Gnosjö Automatsvarvning can measure tolerances that only a limited number of organisations worldwide are capable of verifying.

Fransson explains the importance of the systems to production:

“We can perform measurements with an accuracy of down to 0.45 micrometres. This level of precision may not be necessary for many companies, but for us it is a fundamental requirement for delivering our components. Our LEGEX machines are so critical that we use two identical systems for redundancy, ensuring production does not stop if one machine encounters a problem.”

Measurement data monitored in real time

An advanced statistical system plays an important role in the company’s quality management. It is used both to monitor changes in tool wear and to keep the production process under control.

By storing measurement data, the company can monitor production in real time and use historical information for subsequent analysis. Dedicated measurement programs for each component also standardise the process and prevent operators from verifying parts using different methods.

Gnosjö Automatsvarvning is gradually phasing out its older software and transitioning to MeasurLink, developed by Mitutoyo. The U-WAVE wireless data communication system enables measurements to be carried out directly beside the production machine.

Rapid access to technical support

For a relatively small manufacturer, rapid access to service and technical expertise is essential. Mitutoyo’s Värnamo office, located approximately 30 minutes from the Gnosjö Automatsvarvning facility, allows the company to receive prompt support in urgent situations.

Whenever Gnosjö Automatsvarvning invests in new equipment or receives new tolerance and quality requirements from its customers, Mitutoyo becomes involved from the beginning of the process. The two companies work together to develop solutions that enable Gnosjö Automatsvarvning to deliver on time and with 100% quality.

“The challenges we face often require us to think outside the box. That is why we want to work with suppliers that possess strong expertise in their fields. We have evaluated other options, but concluded that Mitutoyo offers the most comprehensive solution we can rely on over the long term,” Fransson says.

The next target is AI-supported measurement technology

Gnosjö Automatsvarvning’s next step will be to update its statistical system to identify the most efficient verification methods. The company expects to require faster, AI-supported measurement and analysis technologies that can contribute to future decision-making processes.

“I see nothing but opportunities for our future cooperation. We will need new and faster technologies, supported by artificial intelligence, that can become part of our decision-making processes,” Fransson concludes.