(Renishaw: Hoffman Estates, IL) -- Renishaw addresses industry’s lean imperative for comprehensive process control with an IMTS exhibit that demonstrates the effectiveness of an end-to-end solution, highlighting new technologies for pre-process machine calibration, to post-process measurement, online or offline. New pre-process calibration tools include the QC20-W wireless ballbar, as well as Renishaw’s latest advancement in fast five-axis measurement—the motorized PH20 probe head with “head touch” capability. Rounding out the exhibit will be the company’s coordinate measuring machine (CMM) retrofit service, encoder technologies, and demonstrations of software for calibration, machine tool probing, and CMMs.
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Major highlights include:
PH20 five-axis probe for CMMs
The PH20 increases touch-trigger CMM throughput up to three times, using fast, infinite, rotary positioning and unique “head touch” capability for high-speed point capture with minimal CMM movement. The PH20 uses two-axes of head motion to minimize CMM movement and associated dynamic errors at higher measurement speeds. Its unique “inferred calibration” feature determines head orientation and probe position in a single operation, eliminating the need for calibration at each orientation.
QC20-W wireless ballbar
In addition to the conveniences of wireless operation, the new QC20-W ballbar is the first calibration tool to allow testing in three orthogonal planes through a single reference point. A single, simple hardware setup means quicker testing and the ability to produce a representative volumetric measurement of positioning accuracy.
New machine tool probes with optical and radio signal transmission
Renishaw's new RLP40 and OLP40 lathe inspection probes offer a choice of signal transmission technologies—radio or optical—to make part setup and inspection on turning centers accurate, simple, and reliable. Measuring just 40 mm (1.57 in.) in diameter and 58.3 mm (2.30 in.) long, the probes provide unidirectional repeatability of 1 µm (0.00004 in.) and can be used to reduce setup times, scrap, and fixture costs, while improving process control.
CMM five-axis retrofits and software
Renishaw will detail its certified coordinate measuring machine (CMM) retrofits to upgrade existing machines to state-of-the-art capabilities—including REVO five-axis ultra-high-speed scanning. The comprehensive retrofit program applies to all brands of machines, including Hexagon and Zeiss. The Renishaw retrofit service enables manufacturers to raise CMM throughput by factors of four, five, and more; increase measurement automation; collect more data points for form measurement; and utilize open source software and future probing technology developments.
New multi-axis software for machine tool probes
New on machine verification (OMV) software, OMV Pro, includes more advanced CMM-type capabilities with an extended range of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) functionality, plus the ability to work with multiple alignments in a single program, an advantage in working with multi-axis machine tools. The software includes simulation capability, an intuitive graphical interface and crystal-clear reporting format that make it accessible to shop-floor staff. OMV Pro’s GD&T measurement wizard helps users create standardized report elements based on internationally recognized symbols, allowing operators to compare part measurement results on the machine with those on the manufacturing drawing.
Absolute optical encoder and 1 nanometer (nm) resolution incremental encoder
RESOLUTE is the world’s first true absolute encoder capable of 27-bit resolution at 36,000 rpm. The fine-pitch system offers excellent dirt immunity, while delivering market-leading resolution of just 1 nm at up to 100 m/s, for both linear and angle encoding applications. TONiC incremental optical encoders provide the accuracy of fragile fine-pitch encoders, but in a rugged, simple-to-install package. Advanced optical design and innovative electronics are featured in a compact read head (35 mm x 13.5 mm x 10 mm L-W-H) for great design and application flexibility and installation even on micromanufacturing systems. TONiC is available in rotary and linear versions.
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