Maintenance Diagnostic Systems, Inc.

Renishaw ML10 & EC10

Laser Measurement System

ML-10 & EC-10

The Renishaw laser measurement system is an ideal solution for complete calibration of machines, enabling the measurement of a wide range of geometric and dynamic characteristics. It employs a flexible, modular system architecture ensuring that it can best fit your specific measuring requirements, and grow as they grow.

Maintenance Diagnostic Systems, Inc. provides services utilizing these products as well as offering these items for purchase.

The ultimate in precision machine performance measurement and calibration.

Renishaw's 'Gold Standard' ML10 system sets new standards for calibration accuracy.

Use for the comprehensive accuracy assessment of machine tools, CMMs and other positioning systems. Improve performance through targeted maintenance and correct for linear positioning errors using error compensation.

Features include:

  • ±0.7ppm linear accuracy maintained over the full environmental range
  • Simple set-up with Renishaw's unique beam steering optic
  • New Laser 10 software for data capture and analysis
  • Data analysed to a range of international standards

Error compensation packages to automatically improve machine performance

Flow Chart for performance test:

1. Perform full laser calibration.

Perform full laser calibration, measuring all geometric, positioning and motion characteristics for each axis. At MDS we use the Hamar Laser line of products to geometrically set the machine first. By using this equipment we can very accurately insure that the machine is flat, straight, and square before continuing with the linear part of the calibration. Utilizing the Hamar equipment allows us to very quickly evaluate the condition of the machine and make repairs using the live readings. Once we are satisfied the machine is geometrically correct we then use the Renishaw equipment to finish the calibration procedure.

2. Benchmark with a ballbar.

Immediately benchmark the calibration with the QC10 ballbar test on machine tools, or MCG (machine checking gage) test on CMM's (coordinate measuring machine). The quick tests are now linked to the comprehensive laser calibration.

3. Regularly re-check machine.

Re-check the machine with the QC10 ballbar or MCG at regular weekly or monthly intervals, following machine relocation or machine crash, or when parts begin to drift from tolerance.

Regular pre-planned checks enable a machine's performance to be charted over time and future accuracy problems to be intelligently predicted through trend analysis.

4. Pinpoint problem areas.

If overall machine accuracy falls below an acceptable level, use the QC10 dignostic software to analyse and pinpoint problem areas. On CMMs, it is advisable to perform a laser test to identify the specific location of an error.

5. Repair, and re-calibrate with a laser.

After maintenance work, the machine can be re-calibrated using the ML10 laser measurement system.

The Facts:

  • The most accurate system of its type – system accuracy of 0.7 ppm is maintained throughout its operating range of 0 – 40° C (32 - 104°F), a standard level of performance that NO Other competitive system can match.
  • Interferometry is traceable – all Renishaw's laser measurements, including straightness and angular, are interferometric, and are therefore traceable to the international standard wavelength of laser light.
  • Quick and safe alignments with a tripod mounted laser – all alignment can be undertaken comfortably and safely outside the machine. No need to lose axis travel or suffer the effects of cable drag on the measurement.
  • Optics designed for the shop user – all optics housings are made froim hard anodized aluminum, resulting in light, durable optical components that thermally acclimatize to a shop environment 10 times quicker than steel optics housings.
  • Long Range Measurement – linear measurements can be taken on axis up to 80 meters (3200 inches) in length, with the option to Simultaneously measure the parallel axis of dual drive machines.
  • Rotary Axis Calibration – the combination of the ML10 laser with RX10 rotary indexer provides the only Fully Automatic method of rotary axis calibration on CMMs and machine tools.
  • Pioneers of error compensation software – packages that correct for linear positioning errors of an axis are available for linking with most machine controllers.
  • Dynamic Analysis – of vibration, acceleration and velocity to give a full understanding of real dynamic comtion characteristics.
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