Company Overview

McInnes Rolled Rings, located in Erie, Pennsylvania, is a stand-alone subsidiary of the Ellwood Group, Inc. The company is a recognized leader in producing seamless rolled rings and disc forgings, known for its uncompromising quality and some of the shortest lead times in the industry.

Challenge

For McInnes Rolled Rings, quality assurance is central to every operation. Hardness testing plays a critical role in verifying product integrity and ensuring each forging meets exact specifications.

The company primarily works with carbon, alloy, and stainless steels, most often in forged condition with concave surfaces produced by angle grinding. These surfaces can make hardness measurement challenging.

Historically, operators used manual optical scopes to measure hardness impressions. Even though operators were highly trained, operator bias can lead to inconsistent results, especially when taking up to 50–100 readings per day. With a strong focus on both quality and turnaround time, associates suggested exploring automated scopes to improve testing efficiency and reliability.

Solution

McInnes evaluated multiple automated scope options before selecting the KingScan® V from King Tester Corporation. After an on-site demonstration, the team was immediately impressed with the KingScan® V’s performance and ease of use. The first unit was purchased and put into production—delivering such strong results that two additional KingScan® V units were soon ordered.

The first KingScan® V is operated by one of three qualified inspectors. With two additional KSV coming online, there will be eight to twelve qualified inspectors using the automated scopes. With so many operators it is important to eliminate operator subjectivity—and the KSV, which is fully automated, will take a hardness reading in under five seconds with no operator bias. The KSV evaluates the indentation from multiple angles, calculates the result, and automatically stores the data in its internal memory.

Results

• Speed: Read & record in < 5 seconds.
• Accuracy: Eliminates human bias and ensures repeatable results across multiple operators.
• Ease of Use: Lightweight (under 3 lbs) and ergonomic for high-volume testing.
• Operator Satisfaction: Users report superior accuracy and simple one-button testing.

The three KingScan® V units will help standardize hardness testing and support McInnes’s commitment to quality and fast delivery. Optical scopes remain as backups while the KSV is now the primary testing tool.

Conclusion

By using the KingScan® V automated scope, McInnes Rolled Rings has strengthened its quality assurance program, improved testing consistency, and accelerated turnaround time. The result: a faster, more reliable, and more efficient workflow that supports McInnes’s reputation for excellence.

© KING Tester Corporation · Case study for informational purposes.