Entry-Level System Provides Nanometer-Range Measurement

Mahr Federal offers its entry-level MarSurf UD 130 surface finish and contour measuring system capable of generating both surface and contour measurements in a single pass. It replaces the MarSurf UD 120 and offers improved features including nanometer-range measurements, fast measuring and positioning speeds, a biomimetic probe design with improved rigidity and higher dynamics, and automatic probe arm recognition.

The system provides measuring speeds ranging to 5 mm/sec., a traveling length of 130 mm, Z-axis measuring range of 20 mm and a resolution of 2 nm. The UD 130 uses an interferometric probe system that provides better technical data than the inductive probe systems of some other systems. Probe movement is registered by photo diodes and evaluated electronically. This measuring method allows the system to achieve a very high resolution over a large range, the company says.

Probe arms feature bridge-truss design to ensure maximum rigidity, reduced vibration and higher dynamics. Different probe tip geometries are available for different measuring tasks. Diamond tips with 2- and 5-micron radii can be used for roughness measurements; ruby balls or carbide tips with 25-micron radii can be used for contour measurements.

The magnetic mounting system enables probes to be quickly changed by hand and provides protection in the event of system collision. A ball stop assembly assures a repeatable probe mounting position, and an embedded electronic chip in the probe arm ensures reliable recognition. Calibration data is saved, so probe changes do not require additional calibration.

The MarSurf UD 130 comes with the company’s XCR 20 CNC software package for automatic measurement. The drive unit and measuring stand axes of the UD 130 can be controlled either by joystick or automated measuring programs. In combination with additional linear and rotary axes integrated with MarWin, fully automated part measurement can be performed.