CMM technology comes up to date

Renishaw is claiming the most significant advances in co-ordinate measuring machine (CMM) technology for 20 years at EMO 2005.

Renishaw is claiming the most significant advances in co-ordinate measuring machine (CMM) technology for 20 years at EMO 2005.

The show sees the launch of Renscan5, a new enabling technology that will allow highly accurate, ultra-high-speed five-axis scanning measurement on CMMs, and Revo, the first in a family of revolutionary measuring head and probe systems that will redefine the industry standard for scanning systems.

Other breakthrough products include a new ultracompact high accuracy probe for small machining centres, a tool recognition system for high-speed tool breakage detection, new on-machine verification software for inspection on machine tools, a new angle encoder for precision position feedback on rotary axes and new software for motion system analysis.

The introduction of Renscan5 technology allows the development of a range of breakthrough five-axis scanning products that will measure at speeds of up to 500mm/s, and virtually eliminates the measurement errors normally associated with existing three-axis scanning systems.

A five-axis system achieves this by allowing the lighter measuring head to perform most of the motion during inspection routines, minimising the dynamic errors caused when moving the larger mass of a CMM structure.

The first product to take advantage of the new Renscan5 technology is Revo, the first in a family of revolutionary measuring head and probe systems that will maximise inspection throughput, whilst maintaining a high-level of system accuracy.

Revo uses synchronised motion when scanning to quickly follow changes in part geometry, without introducing its own dynamic errors.

This allows the CMM to move at a constant velocity along a constant vector whilst measurements are being taken, removing the inertial errors that result from acceleration of the machine during conventional three-axis scanning.

The OMP400 from Renishaw is an innovative, ultracompact strain gauge probe for small machining centres, offering reduced set-up times, reduced scrap, reduced fixture costs, improved process control and high accuracy on-machine measurement.

Measuring only 40mm in diameter and 50mm in length, the OMP400 combines the miniaturisation of the highly successful OMP40 probe with new advances in strain gauge technology, pioneered by Renishaw's high accuracy MP700 probe.

The new TRS1 tool breakage detection system projects a beam of laser light at a tool and monitors the scattered light that is reflected to determine if the tool has been broken.

This new tool recognition technology distinguishes between the tool and coolant or swarf, and it is also fast and reliable under real machining conditions.

More reliable than conventional noncontact systems, the TRS1 comprises a single unit containing the laser source and detection electronics, enabling it to be mounted outside of the working envelope, safe from collision and saving valuable space on the table.

Also being launched at EMO is Renishaw's first PC-based inspection software for machine tools.

The Renishaw OMV (on machine verification) software is specifically written for machine tools, targeting the inspection of prototypes, complex and large parts, multi-operation parts, and die and mould parts, against original CAD data.

With a straightforward point-and-click approach, inspection could not be simpler.

By clicking various features on the modelled part, the inspection path is automatically generated.

Using Renishaw's nonlobing, high accuracy spindle probes such as the new compact OMP400, surface data are measured and sent to the PC, where powerful (CMM style) measurement algorithms process the data.

Offering high speed, noncontact performance, combined with advanced features including the In-Trac auto-phase optical reference mark, Renishaw's new Signum range of encoders, includes the high accuracy RESM optical angle encoder.

The RESM is a one-piece stainless steel ring with 20um graduations marked axially on the periphery, offering accuracy to +/-0.5arc-sec and resolution and repeatability to 0.02arc-sec.

It is highly suitable for precision applications including machine tool rotary axes, with the In-Trac reference mark repeatable in both directions at speeds over 3600rev/min (52mm diameter) and up to 85C.

For precision motion system analysis, QuickView is a unique software package from Renishaw designed to make their ML10 laser an even more flexible and powerful analysis tool.

For years, electronic engineers have relied on oscilloscopes to study high-speed variations in voltage or current.

Now, QuickView software provides mechanical engineers with a similar capability, allowing them to study minute variations in linear or angular displacement, velocity or acceleration.

With a simple graphical interface QuickView allows very flexible operation, avoiding the need for predefined measurement targets and sequences - just point and measure, ideal for ad-hoc system investigations.

Back to top