Renishaw sets launch date for Sprint game-changing high speed scanning system

The Sprint system incorporates a new generation of on-machine analogue scanning technology that will enable fast and accurate form and profile data capture from both prismatic and complex 3D components and new levels of process control. For example, in blade manufacture, blade tip refurbishment and root blending applications, high speed measurement of blade sections coupled with high data integrity (even on leading and trailing edges) ensure true indication of part condition leading to an adaptive machining capability. Automated routines, such as set-up, blade alignment, blade scanning and data collection can provide significant accuracy and cycle time improvements over touch-trigger systems, says Renishaw. For multi-task machining applications, the Sprint machine tool scanning system process control capabilities include exceptionally repeatable diameter measurement cycles. By means of master part comparison, the Sprint system becomes an active control, enabling measure-cut processes to be automated for accurate diameters on large parts. This capability can result in the size of diameters being automatically controlled to within a few microns of tolerance. Measurement functionality such as part run-out, machine centreline and circularity, also serves to significantly enhance the manufacturing capability of multi-tasking machine tools. The system provides a rapid health-check of a CNC machine tool's linear and rotary axes in seconds, making it possible to implement a daily machine monitoring regime with little or no operator involvement. Each Sprint application is enabled and supported by a software toolkit package dedicated to a specific industrial task, such as the Sprint blade toolkit. Toolkits include on-machine data analysis tools which run automatically in-cycle and provide measurement feedback to a CNC machining process. At the core of the Sprint system is the OSP60 scanning probe. This has an analogue sensor with 0.1 µm resolution in three dimensions, providing the greatest understanding of workpiece form. The analogue sensor technology in the probe provides a continuous deflection output that is combined with machine position to derive the true location of the part surface. The system's analytical capabilities for workpiece measurement, inspection, adaptive machining and on-machine process control are based on measuring 1,000 true 3D data points per second, while increasing machine capacity by reducing measurement cycle times. Incorporating multiple patented technologies, the Sprint system enables high-speed, high accuracy 3D surface data collection through powerful compensation of the static and dynamic volumetric errors which are often associated with high speed machine movement.