Illustration of Measuring Squareness
Many machine tools rely on the squareness or perpendicularity between moving tables or slidesand also the axis of travel for a cutting bit. Traditional methods for checking the squareness of machine tools rely on granite squares or jigs and fixtures coupled with precise dial indicators. The lengthy time and effort needed to perform these alignment checks has been a deterrent to their use. The development of the laser alignment system has made the task of checking squareness much easier, faster, and considerably more precise.
Here is how it works. A laser reference beam is projected down the length of one axis on a machine tool. A digital receiver measures the height of the laser beam to the machine table and the readings are used to guide the position of the laser beam until the readings on the table are equal to each other. The laser reference beam is now parallel to the slide table. At this point, a right angle optic is placed in to the laser beam.
CNC Machine Alignment
Pinpoint makes several of these devices and they are called the 90-Line Right Angle. The laser reference beam enters the 90-Line and passes through an optical component called a penta-prism which steers the laser beam until it exits the 90-Line at a very precise 90 degree, right angle. The optical design of the penta-prism, and Pinpoint’s alignment optics, ensure that the exiting and entering laser beams are precisely square to each other, regardless of the position and orientation of the 90-Line enclosure. Furthermore, the nosepiece of the 90-Line can be rotated through a full circle and the square exiting beam forms a square plane of light, relative to the incoming laser reference beam.
Placing the laser on the machine table or slide, in the path of the laser beam, creates a new right angle reference line that can be used to check the orientation and travel of other square machine axes. Moving the laser receiver along the square axis and taking readings will tell you if the two machine axes are square to one another and if they are not square, what corrections are needed. The 90-Line can check machine tools axes that lie in the same horizontal plane or check vertical planes as well. In addition to the great precision of the laser system, squareness measurements can be made over distances of 100 feet or more for checking large machines.
Laser alignment systems and optical accessories are expanding the measuring capabilities of manufacturing companies and allowing companies to align and repair their own production equipment.
Could a Customized Alignment System Be the Answer?
There are times when a customer calls Pinpoint Laser Systems about a specific application need and asks if our laser system might work for them. One example was a large shipbuilding company with the need to profile the edges of heavy steel plates in preparation for seam welding them into place.
The Microgage 2D was the optimal solution for this application because of its dual axis measuring capability, ability to work out at ranges of 150 feet and its durability for heavy shipyard use. What was missing were adjustable mounting fixtures with the versatility to secure the laser transmitter and receiver to the edge of the steel plates. Pinpoint’s engineering group designed and fabricated a set of adjustable mounting fixtures that would adapt to many steel plate configurations. These mounts are fully adjustable and built to withstand years of heavy industrial usage.
Customize Bore Mounts.
Recently, Pinpoint Laser Systems developed two new Laser Microgage mounts that can accommodate bore diameters as large as 3 feet and as small as 2 ½ inches for a large shipyard installing drive shafts. The Laser Microgage projects a visible reference beam that extends out to 180 feet and is accurate to within 0.0005 inch for precision shaft and bore placement and alignment. In addition to shipyards, this newest precision bore alignment system is ideal for:
- Machinery builders,
- Utilities,
- Aircraft and aerospace,
- Medical,
- Plastics and Rubber,
- and many other industrial applications
Pinpoint Laser Systems would like to take the time to say thank you to all of the men and women who have proudly served our country. Happy Veterans Day!
The Engineer is checking the angular orientation and deflection of the arm on the inspection robot.
Pinpoint products are designed and manufactured with versatility in mind. The standard Laser Microgage can be used for many different industrial measuring and alignment tasks. Often we hear from companies that have special needs.
Laser Measurement in the Nuclear Industry
Pinpoint was approached by a large company in the nuclear power industry to develop a means of calibrating a robot that would be entering a hot cell area. A nuclear reactor generates tremendous quantities of hot steam and water that pass through a large high-pressure heat exchanger with many tubes that transfer heat across a barrier to water that powers turbines for generating electricity.
The water in the reactor side of the plant is radioactive and must be kept separate from the water that powers the turbines. A complex robot assembly is placed into the hot zone of the heat exchanger and inspects all the channel ways for pitting, corrosion, small leaks and other problems.
Measuring and Aligning the Robot’s Movements
Inspection robot for nuclear power plant, heat exchanger.
Pinpoint’s Laser Microgage was selected for precisely checking the motions and calibrating the robot’s complex movements before it enters the heat exchanger tank.
- Special mounts and fixtures were developed for this alignment task and built to facilitate easy-operator use in difficult conditions.
- The precise readings and data provided by the Laser Microgage were fed into the control software for the robot to ensure correct motion control.
- The picture above shows one of Pinpoint’s engineers checking the angular orientation and deflection of an arm section on the inspection robot.
Contact Our Engineers for More Info about Laser Measuring
Pinpoint engineers have worked with many manufacturers to develop custom alignment solutions for robotic applications, medical scanning devices, aircraft assemblies, electronic component fabrication and other uses.
Contact our engineering team for a free review of your needs or call us at 1-800-757-5383. We can even set-up a video demonstration of our products.
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