Rotary/Tilt Head Provides Step-Less Alignment of Sensor To Workpiece
Some workpieces, such as thin sheet metal, must not be touched during the measurement process or moved, or are also too large and heavy for rotary axes. In such cases, a multisensor capable rotary/tilt head is needed for measurement on both component sides. The Werth WRT rotary/tilt head can handle higher loads than conventional rotary heads and therefore suitable for a wide range of measuring sensors. The WRT can be used on coordinate measuring machines with a fixed bridge or on the Werth VideoCheck S with up to three independent sensor axes.
The WRT enables measurements in any probing direction both with conventional scanning probes and, for example, with the Chromatic Focus Point optical distance sensor. The limiting angles for capturing the light reflected from the workpiece surface, which are specified by the numerical aperture of the lens, and the resulting limitations for the surface angularity are eliminated. Combined measurements in several tilt positions allow very steep flanks to be measured.
With the step-less Werth rotary/tilt head, the Chromatic Focus Point sensor can be positioned perpendicular to the workpiece surface extending considerably the sensor’s range of application. As an example, line profile shape, channel depth, tool centre offset and embossing angle can be measured on wave profiles with the smallest radii of 0.1 mm.
Higher Accuracy and Better Accessibility
For the scanning probe the eccentric probe mounting results in a smaller distance between the tilt axis and the stylus tip, and thus a smaller tilt path when measuring a complex workpiece. This improves the accuracy, since the length measurement error of the machines increases with the measuring length, mainly due to temperature.
Another benefit over conventional rotary/tilt heads is the infinitely variable adjustment range for rotation and tilting, which offers better measuring object and element accessibility. The eccentric arrangement of the tilt axis also results in a larger usable measuring range.
Fuel cells are one application example: A vertical setup of the bipolar plate enables the measurement of wall thickness, mold center offset and weld center offset. The geometry of the flow field can be captured at the half plates. Other areas of application include the measurement of cylinder-head gaskets, turbine blades or protective glass for dashboards.
For more information: www.werthinc.com
