Renscan5 Revolutionizes CMM Inspection Throughput with Ultra-High-Speed, 5-Axis Scanning Technologies
Renscan5 motion control software and infinite-positioning REVO measuring head enable
part inspection at speeds up to 500 mm/sec for more data points on reduced cycle times
July 2007 - Renscan5 ultra-high-speed scanning technology delivers tremendous throughput gains in coordinate measuring machine (CMM) inspection of critical and complex parts. Early adopters report 680% improvement on automotive cylinders heads and 922% faster processing of jet engine blisks. Renscan5 meets industry needs for reduced WIP, greater process control, and ever tighter tolerances by delivering 10X and more data points on greatly reduced cycle times. The breakthrough system combines a dynamic, infinite positioning measurement head with 5-axis machine control and a first-ever laser-corrected probe to measure at speeds up to 500 mm/sec. (vs. conventional CMM scanning at 5-15 mm/sec.).
Renscan5 virtually eliminates the measurement errors normally associated with existing three-axis scanning systems. The five-axis system achieves this by allowing the smaller REVO measuring head, a 3-D measuring device in its own right, to perform most of the motion during inspection routines. This minimizes dynamic errors caused in acceleration/deceleration of the larger mass of a CMM structure. Low-mass, low-inertia design allows ultra-high-speed data capture - up to 4000 points a second compared to 200-300 data points for conventional scanning.
The REVO head uses synchronized 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 as measurements are being taken, removing the inertial errors that result from acceleration of the machine during conventional 3-axis scanning. Two rotary drives - 360° in horizontal plane, 120° in vertical plane - provide wrist-like action to optimize part access and enable infinite adjustment to the part surface while measuring.
A highly innovative "tip sensing" probe mounted to the REVO measuring head further minimizes the errors caused by the dynamic effects of high-speed motion and allows the use of long styli without reducing accuracy. A laser light system is used to accurately measure the exact position of the probe tip, with a beam of light directed from within the probe body down a hollow stylus to a reflector at the stylus tip. Unlike conventional styli that need to be very stiff, the new hollow stylus is designed to bend, thereby deflecting the return path of the laser beam which is received by a Position Sensing Detector (PSD), also mounted in the probe body. Software algorithms combine PSD input with head geometry and CMM axis scale, calculating exact stylus tip position in space, on the fly. The probe delivers 1-micron accuracy at 250 mm from the axis of rotation at 500 mm/sec.
The probe allows single tip calibration to be accurate at all angles of rotation. This can save hours in set-up routines on complex geometry parts, maximizing availability of the CMM.
Renscan5 and REVO are available with the new UCC2 universal CMM controller that forms the foundation for Renishaw's future high-speed scanning systems. The second generation UCC2 controller features patented MoveScan(TM) software that synchronizes and smoothes motion between the CMM and the REVO head. On-the-fly repositioning of head and stylus between part features shortens scanning time of indexing systems.
For more information on Renscan5 and REVO scanning technologies, contact Denis Zayia, CMM products manager, tel: 847-286-9953, email denis.zayia@renishaw.com.
Read inquiries should be directed to:
Susan Wilm
Marketing Assistant
Renishaw Inc.
5277 Trillium Boulevard
Hoffman Estates, IL 60192
