Renishaw will introduce the Russian market to its latest productivity solutions for machine tools, when it attends the Metalloobrabotka exhibition, being held in Moscow from 23rd to 27th May 2006.
Formally known as the 9th International Exhibition of Equipment, Instruments and Tools for the Metalworking Industry, Metalloobrabotka 2006 aims to boost the development of the Russian market for metalworking tools and equipment, raise the competitive capacity of Russian-made goods, and encourage international investors to participate in machine-building technology projects. Renishaw's main focus at Metalloobrabotka will be new products for CNC machine tools, including OMP60, a compact touch probe for machining centres and mill-turn machines and the new TRS1 tool recognition system for high-speed tool breakage detection.

Other products to be shown include Renishaw's QC10 ballbar system for the fast analysis of machine tool performance, the ML10 laser interferometer measurement system for machine calibration, and a new angle encoder for precision position feedback on rotary axes.

The OMP60 touch probe is the first of a new generation of optical transmission products designed for compatibility with all current Renishaw optical receivers and next generation optical systems.

It brings the benefits of probing to a wide range of machine tools, offering users setup time reductions of up to 90%, reduced scrap, reduced fixture costs, and improved process control.

Also on show is a new system for tool breakage detection.

Renishaw's new TRS1 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, whilst 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.

Visitors to Metalloobrabotka can also see the Renishaw QC10 ballbar, which has established itself as an industry standard system for rapid machine tool performance analysis and diagnosis, in a test that typically takes 15 minutes.

The ballbar attaches magnetically between the machining centre's spindle and table, and tracks machine movement to +/-0.5um.

A simple CNC circular program is run which allows the ballbar software to calculate machine circularity error, servo gain mismatch, vibration, stick-slip errors, backlash, repeatability and scale mismatch, as well as machine geometry.

Renishaw's ML10 laser interferometer measurement system is used by some of the largest OEMs and end users in industries such as metal cutting, semiconductor processing, flat panel display production and biotechnology.

The ML10's unique properties ensure that the system provides a linear position reading resolution of just 1.24nm, a range of up to 40m and accuracy better than 1ppm.

This combination of resolution, accuracy and range makes the laser interferometer an ideal tool for characterising the performance of motion systems, both large and small.

For visitors to Metalloobrabotka requiring precision motion system analysis, QuickView is a new software package from Renishaw designed to make the 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.

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 visitors to Metalloobrabotka involved with precision applications, including machine tool rotary axes.

The In-Trac reference mark is repeatable in both directions at speeds over 3600rev/min (52mm diameter) and up to 85C.

Held with the support of the Ministry of Industry and Energy of the Russian Federation, Metalloobrabotka 2006 includes a wide range of exhibits categories, including metalworking and metalcutting equipment, laser equipment, foundry equipment, thermal treatment and coatings, control and measuring machinery, welding equipment, tooling, CAD/CAM software, and metalforming equipment.