In one set-up, LineCal records all systematic geometry deviations (deviation in position, straightness, pitch, yaw, and roll of all three axes and squareness), based on laser wavelength, and generates the volumetric compensation data directly in the specific format of a machine’s controller. Intelligent routines make the set-up easy; the measurement routine for the complete volumetric compensation is carried out automatically in 40 to 60 minutes.
The Etalon system reaches extraordinary high precision in the error determination: even deviation parameters that are very difficult to measure, i.e. the roll of the axis, can be determined extremely precisely with this patented principle of measurement, says Etalon.
LineCal uses the same approved interferometric principles of measurement that Etalon uses in its other measurement systems. To save space and weight, Etalon abandoned the tracking of the measuring beams instead using simple but specially tailored fixture with a large number of pre-installed interferometric measurement lines for each machine type.
To carry out a measurement, a tailor-made construction is placed on the machine. The adjustment of the machine positions is supported by the software. During the measurements, the machine follows automatically and sequentially the pre-installed measurement lines and records the deviations between the measurement system of the machine and the interferometric measurement channels. From this data, the Etalon software calculates the deviations of all machine axis.
Says Dr Schwenke, CEO of Etalon AG: “LineCal mainly pays off if the same machine type has to be calibrated several times. This makes the system especially useful for equipment manufacturers. The demand in this segment is high, because calibration is a significant cost factor in the production of precision machines. LineCal profits from Etalon´s know-how in the field of laser measurement technology, calibration and machine interfaces. It increases the application of our base technology for a new class of machines and drastically decreases the time compared to other existing methods.”
