Shape
Measurement - New optical shape measurements for
laser manufacturing applications
Nick Weston, Manager of Renishaw Edinburgh
stated “Renishaw would not have been
able to get so far in our research without
the interaction and research knowledge of
the James Watt Institute and it has given
us a three year head start on our development.” |
Renishaw is a world leader in metrology and spectroscopy,
with research, development, manufacturing, sales
and service operations in more than 30 countries.
The company believes that success comes from patented
and innovative products and processes, high quality
manufacturing, and the ability to provide local
customer support in all of its markets around the
globe.
Committed to sustained growth through continued
investment in product development and manufacturing
methods, Renishaw, wants to be recognised as world
leaders in their field and to engage with leading
research institutions to develop new product ranges
and to address new markets.
Renishaw wanted to investigate optical methods for
free-form shape and surface quality measurement
that are compatible with coordinate measuring machine
(CMM) technology. The ultimate goal was to devise
methods suitable for a CMM-mounted optical probe
that measures a free-form surface whilst maintaining
the intrinsic accuracy of both mechanical and optical
systems.
Working closely with Renishaw, Heriot-Watt University’s
Prof Andrew Moore and researchers Jesus Valera and
Yvonne Huddart at the James Watt Institute for High-Value
Manufacturing investigated non-contact optical techniques
comprising compact fringe projection and photogrammetry
compatible with CMM technology.
The project successfully provided Renishaw with
a laboratory prototype of a new optical probe with
verified operating principles. The prototype is
the first demonstration of the methods integrating
optical fringe projection and photogrammetry with
CMM technology.
Three patents have been filed by Renishaw on the
mode of operation of the optical probe and its extension
to CMM. Clearly pleased with this result, Renishaw
is actively developing two new commercial products
and two further products are under discussion.
For more information contact:
Andrew Moore
a.moore@hw.ac.uk
0131 451 8068
www.mec.hw.ac.uk/optical-diagnostics |
