Measurement optics

Renishaw measurement optics enable you to measure linear, pitch, yaw, horizontal and vertical straightness along any axis. Additional optic kits are available to enable measurement of surface flatness and squareness of axis. 

The same optics can be used with XL-80 or ML10 systems, ensuring consistency of measurement set-ups and procedures. All measurements are interferometric and therefore use the traceable international standard wavelength of laser light, allowing you to have total confidence in the results.

For rotary axis calibration, please see RX10 rotary axis calibration section and for other optical accessories to assist in set-up and measurement, please see the optics accessories section.

Features and benefits

Interchangeable - The unique design of linear, angular and straightness optics enables easy interchange for different measurements, without having to re-align the laser.

Convenient - Moving optics have no cables to drag or snag, for best accuracy and convenience.

Low mass aluminium optics - The optics are manufactured in aluminium, therefore the optics' low mass is especially relevant if measuring pitch errors on horizontal arm CMMs and for dynamic measurements.

Quick acclimatisation - Some competitor systems use stainless steel optic housings. These are much heavier than Renishaw's aluminium optics and have a lower thermal conductivity, therefore taking longer to acclimatise to the shop environment.

Linear measurement optics kit

Linear measurement is by far the most common form of measurement performed on a machine. 

Each linear measurement optics kit contains:

• 1 linear interferometer
• 2 linear retroreflectors and clamp screws
• 2 alignment targets

Part number	Description
A-8003-0440	Linear measurement optics kit

Specification

Standard range	0 m - 40 m (0 in - 1600 in)
System accuracy (when used with XL-80 system)	±0.5 ppm (parts per million)
(when used with ML10 Gold Standard)	±0.7 ppm
(when used with ML10, pre-Gold Standard)	±1.1 ppm
Resolution	0.001 µm (0.1 µin)
Maximum velocity	4 m/s (9600 in/min)
Velocity measurement accuracy	±0.05%

 

For linear measurements over 40 m you will require the long range linear accessory kit

Angular measurement optics kit

These optics allow angular pitch and yaw measurements to be made. Can measure maximum angular deflections of up to ±10° with resolution of 0.01 arc sec.

Each angular measurement kit contains:

• 1 angular retroreflector
• 1 angular interferometer
• 2 alignment targets

Part number	Description
A-8003-0441	Angular measurement optics

Specification

Axial range	0 m - 15 m (0 in - 590 in)
Angular measurement range	±175 mm/m (±10°)
Angular accuracy	±0.6%* ±0.5 ±0.1M µ/mm (±0.6%* ±0.1 ±0.007F arc sec)
Resolution	0.1 µm/m (0.01 arc sec)

Where:
% = percentage of displayed value
M = measurement distance in metres
F = measurement distance in feet

* 0.2% accuracy available by special order

Linear and angular combination kit

This optics combination kit is a cost saving alternative for users who wish to perform both linear and angular measurements.

Each combination kit contains:

• 1 linear retroreflector and clamp screws
• 1 angular retroreflector
• 1 angular interferometer
• 3 alignment targets

Part number	Description
A-8003-2774	Linear and angular optics combination kit

Straightness measurement optics kit: 0.1 - 4 m axis length

These optics allow the measurement of horizontal straightness error in linear axes up to 4 m in length to be made.  They also enable axis parallelism to be measured.

Each short range straightness kit contains:

• 1 straightness interferometer
• 1 straightness reflector

Part number	Description
A-8003-0443	Straightness optics - short range

Specification

Axial range	0.1 m - 4 m (4 in - 160 in)
Straightness measurement range	±2.5 mm  (±0.1 in)
Accuracy	±0.5% ±0.5 ±0.15M2 µm (±0.5% ±20 ±0.5F2 µin)
Resolution	0.01 µm (1 µin)

Where:
% = percentage of displayed value
M = measuring distance in metres
F = measuring distance in feet

 

May require Universal (straightness) shutter or straightness accessory kit, depending upon application (see optics accessories section)

Straightness measurement optics kit: 1 - 30 m axis length

These optics can be used to measure the horizontal straightness error in linear axes from 1 m up to 30 m in length when using the XL-80 laser system. They also enable measurement for parallelism of axes.

Each long range straigthness kit contains:

• 1 straightness interferometer
• 1 straightness retroreflector
• 2 alignment targets

Part number	Description
A-8003-0444	Straightness optics - long range

Specification

Axial range	1 m - 30 m (40 in - 1200 in)
Straightness measurement range	±2.5 mm  (± 0.1 in)
Accuracy*	±2.5% ±5 ±0.015M2 µm (±2.5% ±200 ±0.05F2 µin)
Resolution	0.1 µm (10 µin)

Where:
% = percentage of displayed value
M = measuring distance in metres
F = measuring distance in feet

* subject to environmental conditions

May require Universal (straightness) shutter or straightness accessory kit, depending upon application (see optics accessories section)

Squareness measurement optics

These optics determine the out-of-squareness of two nominally orthogonal axes, by comparing their straightness slope values which are referenced via the optical square.

Note:
A straightness measurement optics kit  and straightness accessory kit are also required to perform squareness measurements.

Each squareness measurement optics kit contains:

• 1 optical square and clamp screws
• 1 bracket (for adjustable turning mirror)

Part number	Description
A-8003-0665	Squareness measurement optics

Specification

Range	±3/M mm/m (±2000/F arc sec)
Resolution	0.01 µm/m (0.01 arc sec)

Where:
M = measurement distance in metres
F = measurement distance in feet

Flatness measurement kit

The flatness mirrors not only rotate horizontally, but also tilt to allow horizontal and vertical adjustment of the laser beam.

Note:
Angular optics are also required to perform flatness measurements.

Each flatness measurement kit contains:

• 2 flatness mirrors
• 1 50 mm flatness base
• 1 100 mm flatness base
• 1 150 mm flatness base

Part number	Description
A-8003-0442	Flatness measurement kit

Specification

Axial range	0 m - 15 m
Flatness measurement range	±1.5 mm (±0.06 in)
Accuracy	±0.6%* ±0.02M2 µm (±0.6%* ±0.08F2 µin)
Resolution	0.01 µm (1 µin)

Where:
% = percentage of calculated flatness
M = length of diagonal in metres
F = length of diagonal in feet