Precision measurement in new arm
A new articulated measuring arm has been specifically designed to fill the gap between hand held measuring tools and CMM machines
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The Faro Gage Personal CMM is a six axis contact measuring device, designed to attach to a machine bed by vacuum suction or magnetic mount. Supplied with its own dedicated tablet PC, it is designed to replace verneers, micrometers, height gauges and other hand measurement devices, allowing extreme accuracy - 5 microns plus 0.8 microns per 100mm - without having to detach the workpiece from the machine tool.
Faro explains that while the new Gage has in theory, the ability, to determine surface profiles, it is not offering this capability with the new tool, because such is already available with the Arm range of products. Nor will it be offered with a laser scanning head. However, it is available with a Renishaw touch trigger probe, although it can almost equally easily be used as supplied, with a hard ball ended probe, the user clicking the green button beside the probe every time a measurement is to be recorded.
Measuring in 3D and working with software in the PC eases measuring tasks very difficult to undertake using conventional gauging tools. Measuring angles between cylinders, or the internal properties of a cone, for example, are tasks very difficult to perform accurately using hand tools, but very easy with the Gage.
While most F1 teams, and leading automotive R&D development workshops are expected to continue to use their Faro Arms, the Gage is expected to find many enthusiastic users in subcontracting workshops supplying components to motor sport teams. Subcontractors supplying aerospace companies and others requiring high standards of precision will also find the device very useful. Sale price in the UK is £17,000 including the table PC and a robust, air portable carrying case. TS
Pointers
* The Gage has a 1.2m spherical work space
* It is accurate to within 5 microns plus 0.8 microns per 100mm, thus conforming to the requirements of ISO 10360-2
* The measuring unit has an 8 hour battery life. The accompanying tablet PC has a 4 hour life. Both can be mains powered where mains power is available.
