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After detailed research on the effects of stylus spike contamination on metrology when using a coordinated 3D measuring machine (MMT), Dr. Simon Lawes of the Mid-Production Metrology Team at the University of Nottingham confirms: "A stylus tip contaminated with tiny particles can lead to measurement errors 10 times higher than expected." The problem in the control rooms as well as in the workshop: the cleaning of the stylus, a tedious work to be done by hand and which, moreover, reduces the occupancy times of MMT and thus the productivity of these.
To minimize the problem, the British manufacturer of MMT, LK Metrology has set up an automated system dedicated to the cleaning of stylus tips, LK StyliCleaner. It only takes 30 seconds to rid a stylus tip of any impurity, eliminating any tendency to delay cleaning and reducing the risk of taking erroneous action.
During the measurement cycles of the tactile probes and especially during the scanning phases, contaminants such as dust, residues of machining lubricants and oxides accumulate on the tip of the stylus. If good metrology is to be maintained, these tiny particles must be removed by frequent cleaning. The automation of the process is significantly more efficient and robust in terms of process than manual cleaning, which usually requires a recalibration of each probe position before use, so that the time of availability of the MMT is optimized.
Suitable for all MMT users worldwide, the cleaning system is an inexpensive solution and works with all brands of MMT and software. No software integration is required. It will only be necessary to create a simple programming routine to complete the cycle. For LK customers who use Camio's measurement software, the StyliCleaner comes with free programs allowing automated cleaning of stylus tips.
Managed by the movement of the MMT axes, the automated cleaning cycle is activated when a contaminated stylus is programmed to move in front of the StyliCleaner motion sensor. Once inside the cleaning chamber, the tip of the stylus is washed for 10 seconds with detergent and dried for 10 seconds using compressed air to remove any residual contaminants. The automated sequence moves the stylus through six positions to complete the entire process, leaving the stylus clean and ready for the next inspection.
The compact StyliCleaner, has a footprint of 70 mm (2.8 inches) x 100 mm (3.9 inches) on the machine table, It comes in two sizes, StyliCleaner8 designed to decontaminate stylies 0 to 8mm in diameter (0.31 inches) and StyliCleaner16, designed to decontaminate stylrums from 6 mm (0.24 inches) to 16mm (0.62 inches) in diameter. The separate control unit can also be positioned on the MM table, or if space is limited, it can also be attached to the base supporting the MMT, using an optional mounting plate.
Visit the site:
www.LKmetrology.com
