QUALITY & METROLOGY PRECISE INVESTMENTS
and “delivers high accuracy measurements
equivalent to those provided by a horizontalarm
coordinate measuring machine (CMM)”.
Employing a focused laser beam and
heterodyne interferometry to measure range
accurately, Nikon explain that this
configuration produces the most sensitive
radar possible, capable of performing
measurements on almost any surface,
irrespective of the reflection.
“The APDIS is ideal for repetitive, labourintensive,
complex measuring of objects
from a long stand-off distance and able to
access even hard-to-reach areas without the
need for photogrammetry targets,
retroreflectors, handheld probes or surface
preparation,” the company says.
The laser radar inspection system is
suitable for use in the aerospace,
automotive, renewable energy and research
manufacturing sectors, but also in any largescale
environment.
The APDIS range comprises four models,
two of which are the MV430E and MV450E
having a 30 metre, or 50 metre radius
measuring range respectively. These
versions include enhanced feature scan
technology, offering up to double the feature
measurement speed compared to previous
laser radars, made possible by hardware
and software improvements.
There are also MV430 and MV450
standard versions without the improvements
for applications where top speed and
vibration analysis are not required. Typical
length measurement accuracies for all
models range from 28 μm at 2 metres to
313 μm at 30 metres and minimum range is
now shorter at 0.5 metre.
HIGH-SPEED VIDEO MEASURING SYSTEM
Nikon Metrology has developed a new CNC
video measuring system to measure
components reliably and efficiently – for the
inspection room and shop-floor.
The optical CMM – NEXIV VMZ-S3020
(pictured on page 40) – replaces the VMZR3020
model and is used for automated
quality control applications in a production
line, as its high speed allows real-time
feedback of measured results to optimise a
manufacturing process.
The system can be used for inspecting a
wide variety of mechanical, electrical,
electronic, moulded, cast and pressed
(TTL) laser auto focus, giving
repeatability to better than half a
micron, have strengthened trust
in the system’s ability to
measure profiles and
transparent components with the
highest performance.
Fast laser scanning at 1,000
points/sec can rapidly acquire
the cross-sectional shape of a
surface and evaluate the
relative heights, meeting the
measurement needs across a
wide variety of samples.
Indicating the attention to
The new Nikon Metrology APDIS
Laser Radar inspection system
is an automated, non-contact
metrology solution
detail that has been bestowed on the new
instrument, even the joystick unit that
moves the stage and measurement head
has been redesigned to be easier to use.
A fully featured measurement software
environment, NEXIV AutoMeasure, enables
high precision, high speed, easy
measurement cycles using tools that are
close to hand in a user-friendly GUI. For
components of simple shape, it has been
enhanced with support functions that
automate part of the measurement
programming processes.
Larger NEXIV versions, VMZ-S4540 with
X,Y,Z strokes of 450 x 400 x 200 and the
VMZ-S6555 with strokes of 650 x 550 x
200 mm, are also scheduled to be released
in 2021 to provide the same benefits when
measuring larger components. ■
components that fall within
its 300 x 200 x 200 mm
working volume.
Nikon’s proprietary
optical measuring, image
processing and analysis
technologies are employed
to detect feature edges at
very high speed, capturing
accurately and automatically
the shape and
dimensions of even the
most complex
components.
The new NEXIV VMZ-S
series can achieve even faster movements
and image capture steps by the dedicated
CMOS camera than its predecessor.
In-house developed, high-resolution,
linear encoders feed the position of the
stage axes back to the control, maintaining
the highest measuring precision and
consistency.
Image transfer and subsequent
processing of the data are also quicker and
has made it possible to reduce
measurement cycle times to achieve higher
throughput, without compromising accuracy.
Nikon has designed optical systems
using its own “glassware” to deliver the
highest quality images and so realise more
accurate measurement data within the field
of view and beyond.
Enhancements to the through-the-lens
The Zeiss T-SCAN 10 is a new
mobile 3D scanning system that
features optical tracking
www.machinery.co.uk | MachineryMagazine | @MachineryTweets | January 2021 41
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