Renishaw, a world leader in measuring and manufacturing systems, has announced the launch of its latest pioneering solution for shopfloor process control, the Equator–X 500 dual-method system. This innovative product brings unique capabilities to manufacturers around the world, enabling them to select the optimum inspection method, Absolute or Compare, for their process challenge, effectively deploying two systems in one.
The Equator X system has been designed to address the challenges for shopfloors where product variety and frequent design changes require measurement systems that are able to provide speed, flexibility and ease of use to keep pace with machining capabilities. Key benefits include increased throughput, with high-speed measurement that increases inspection capacity; fully traceable in process verification of parts on the shopfloor, continuous validation of the production process; and the flexibility to select the optimal measurement method for each application with a single device.
The optional Absolute or Compare measurement modes address the demands of fast-paced manufacturing environments with different requirements. In Absolute mode, the Equator–X system measures parts at scanning speeds of up to 250mm/s, significantly improving the inspection capacity and throughput for manufacturers of small to medium batch sizes and high part variety.
Ultra-high scanning speedThis mode is particularly useful for first-off verification next to the machine or even at-line 100% inspection. In Compare mode, the Equator–X system delivers an ultra-high scanning speed of up to 500mm/s and is ideal for inspecting large batches of the same component when cycle time is a priority. It also provides a high-speed measurement option where varying thermal environments present a challenge.
The Equator–X 500 gauge is a hexapod structure with independent drive and metrology frames. High-speed motion is achieved without compromising metrology thanks to design features such as carbon fibre metrology struts, linear motor drives and the industry standard SP25M scanning probe. The system can be deployed as a standalone shopfloor device or integrated within a fully automated cell, offering unrivalled flexibility to adapt to evolving demands and variable shopfloor conditions.
The standard software platform for the new Equator–X 500 system features an intuitive and feature rich operator interface coupled with Renishaw’s latest MODUSTM IM metrology software applications. This comprehensive suite of software tools delivers outstanding convenience and robust performance for programming, reporting and operation, simplifying complex tasks and enhancing user experience.