Boosting Precision and Efficiency with the KEYENCE XM Series (XM-5000)

Established in 1969, Destec Engineering machines high-precision, high-pressure clamp connections for pipelines in the oil and gas industry. In over 50 years of trading, the Lincoln-based company has become a leading provider of precision products to the industry, including seal rings, subsea clamps, door closures and more. With an ongoing commitment to quality and operating to ISO 9001 (2008 to 2015) standards, Destec recently integrated the KEYENCE XM-5000 Series into its quality assurance processes.

Destec primarily uses the XM to measure components with stringent tolerances that must be machined within microns. The device is also integral to processes involving Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), being used for virtually all GD&T tolerance checks.

For work like this, measurement reliability is everything. The team needed a system accurate enough to trust on tight-tolerance parts, flexible enough to handle complex features in different locations, and compact enough to reach components that bulkier systems struggle with — including parts still set up in a CNC machine.

For Chief Inspector Andy Richardson, the deciding factor was clear.

"A key motivator for this technology was the accuracy."

— Andy Richardson, Chief Inspector, Destec Engineering

Compared with a traditional measurement arm, the KEYENCE XM-5000 stands out with its ±3 µm repeatability, which is nearly ten times more accurate than other conventional models. This leap in precision was a crucial factor in Destec's decision, as it allows far more reliable measurement of parts requiring tight tolerances. The compact design of the XM also makes it more appealing when measuring components in a CNC machine, unlike other, bulkier systems. A range of selectable measurement modes rounds out the picture, making it easy to measure complex parts in different locations.

Andy Richardson explains that the XM has been "used everyday", with the quality assurance team treating it as a go-to piece of equipment primarily due to its time efficiency, ease of use and high level of accuracy. While the parts themselves have not changed in quality — Destec has a long-standing commitment to precision — the introduction of the XM has significantly improved the speed and accuracy of inspections.

The ability to measure with higher precision in less time has allowed Destec to streamline its processes, ensuring faster first-off inspection and reducing potential bottlenecks in production.

One capability the team wanted was not available as a preset: the GD&T header did not include runout or total runout. Rather than a dead end, it became an example of partnership.

With support from KEYENCE experts, Destec developed a custom program to accommodate runout measurements — showcasing the collaborative relationship between KEYENCE and its customers to optimise equipment performance.

— Destec Engineering case study

The KEYENCE XM-5000 Series has become an indispensable tool for Destec Engineering, enabling the company to meet the demanding requirements of the oil and gas industry with enhanced confidence and efficiency. After three months of using the XM as a primary tool, Destec has experienced significant improvements in inspection efficiency, accuracy and overall ease of use — a foundation the team can build on as its precision work continues to grow.