Nikon Metrology launches Altera bridge-type co-ordinate measuring machines
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Ceramic used for key structural components in Altera bridge-type CMMs offers near perfect stiffness-to-weight ratio, resistance to temperature shifts and long-term dimensional stability, according to Nikon Metrology, and allows the company to guarantee the original accuracy specification for a period of 10 years.
The shopfloor-ready Essential, Optimum and Ultimate Altera units incorporate passive anti-vibration and fully enclosed covers to protect the guideways from contamination and accidental damage. Temperature compensation for the workpiece and CMM (including probe tip), as well as active anti-vibration measures are available for consistent measurement in more harsh environments.
Altera Essential series touch trigger probe CMMs, for general measurement and inspection applications, are available with a range of motorised and manual probe heads and accessories, including automatic stylus changing.
Altera Optimum 5-axis CMMs are available with the PH20 infinite positioning touch-trigger probe head and have been optimised for measuring complex internal geometry, probe access, best use of the CMM volume and productivity.
Altera Ultimate advanced CMMs offer greater throughput and are multi-sensor ready for both touch-trigger and scanning probes. Scanning provides a more complete, more detailed insight. Dimensional deviation is displayed graphically and is easy to understand. Non-contact laser scanners can be added at any time, without requiring additional wiring or controllers.
Two software options are available, CMM-Manager and Camio. CMM-Manager is an intuitive task-oriented package for touch-trigger probe CMMs, developed to make programming and reporting as streamlined as possible. It offers walk-in, measure and report, quick start dimensional checks for everyday tasks. It also features intelligent path planning with real time workpiece and probe simulation, plus smart probe selection with collision avoidance.
Ultimate CMMs are supplied as standard with Camio software which has advanced integrated multi-sensor capability for touch, scanning and laser scanning probes. Inspection programs and reports can be created for a wide range of common or specialist applications, both online or offline, using any popular CAD format. Inspection programs can be migrated from one CMM and sensor technology to another to suit the technology available or as needs change.
Altera CMMs are available in seven sizes, with XYZ axis strokes from 711 by 508 by 508 mm to 2,032 by 1,016 by 813 mm, with workpiece capacities from up to 256 kg and 1,681 kg respectively.
