Renishaw is focusing on time and throughput issues at the Eastec show in West Springfield, USA, with products that will significantly reduce inspection times on CNC machine tools.
Renishaw is focusing on time and throughput issues at the Eastec show in West Springfield, USA, with products that will significantly reduce inspection times on CNC machine tools and allow them to run unmanned under full process control. Other breakthrough products at the show, which runs from 23rd to 25th May, include a new angle encoder and high accuracy linear encoder for precision position feedback, and new software for motion system analysis. The new TRS1 tool breakage detection system allows manufacturers to run machine tools unmanned, with complete confidence that cutting tools damaged during a machining cycle will be quickly detected, eliminating the risk of scrapped parts.

This innovative new unit 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.

It uses tool recognition technology that distinguishes between the tool and coolant or swarf/metal chips, and is also fast and reliable under real machining conditions.

More reliable than conventional noncontact systems, visitors to Eastec will see that 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.

At Eastec, Renishaw is also showing two new PC-based software products that offer significant time savings for users of machine tool probe systems.

Productivity+ Active Editor Pro is part of Renishaw's new generation of easy-to-use probing and process control software, which targets the entire spectrum of probe users.

The CAD front-end allows features to be identified with a single click, and the drag-and-drop interface uses the measured data to update machine parameters.

The result is a fully integrated metal cutting and probing program, which allows a machine tool to make intelligent decisions on the fly.

Renishaw OMV is a verification package that gives machine tool users powerful CMM-style 3D verification against a CAD model.

The software is targeted at manufacturers of complex and large parts, such as mould tools, and combines freeform and geometric features.

A straightforward point-and-click approach means that the user can see the inspection path as it is generated, and make changes if required.

In combination with Renishaw's nonlobing, high accuracy spindle touch probes, such as the MP700 and new OMP400 ultra-compact touch probe, Renishaw OMV provides unrivalled accuracy of part verification on machine tools.

Renishaw's new Signum family of rotary and linear position feedback encoders will also be shown at Eastec, both offering ruggedness and precision that deliver levels of performance previously possible only from fine-pitch systems too delicate for many industrial roles.

All encoders feature comprehensive Signum software that enables optimum setup and real-time system diagnostics via a PC's USB port The Signum RESM angular encoder is a one-piece stainless steel ring with 20 micron scale marked directly on the periphery.

It features the In-Trac optical reference mark, which repeats, regardless of direction, at operational speeds of over 4500rev/min (52mm diameter) and up to 85C.

The Signum RELM high accuracy linear encoder comprises the SR readhead, Si interface and 20um RELM scale, which is offered in defined lengths.

Initially available in Invar, which provides a low thermal expansion of 1.4um/m/C, the RELM scale is offered with a choice of In-Trac reference mark positions and dual optical limits.

Together with the robust, yet highly precise 20um spars, this enables the RELM to offer accuracy to +/-1um and resolution to 20nm, satisfying the most demanding precision motion requirements.

For visitors to Eastec looking at solutions to analyse precision motion systems, 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.