LK Metrology announces the launch of new ALTERA C HA ultra-high accuracy CMM

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LK Metrology has announced the new ALTERA C HA ultra-high accuracy coordinate measuring machine (CMM). The company says the machine is inexpensive, but still allows manufacturers to inspect components machined to tight tolerances.

The ceramic-bridge machines are constructed from the same component parts as the standard ALTERA C range, but are optimised during build at the company’s Derbyshire, England production facility to deliver 16% higher accuracy during a measuring cycle according to LK, with 13% better repeatability and 50% more accurate scanning.

LK Metrology says that volumetric accuracy is form 1.3+L/350, repeatability from 0.0013mm and scanning accuracy from 0.002mm.

When implementing the design improvements to the ALTERA C HA, particular attention was paid to upgrading the moving bridge according to LK. The spread of the air bearings supporting the main drive leg has been widened to increase the stiffness of the bridge assembly by 17% overall, which is particularly beneficial during high-speed movements.

LK Metrology says that there are numerous advantages to the user, such as measuring uncertainty when chasing tolerances down to microns is ‘significantly’ better. The company says that for the same reason, the bearing mountings have been further stiffened and their alignment is improved.

The pre-loaded, wrap-around air bearing configuration runs with a reduced air film thickness for low energy consumption and gives repeatable measurement results, even at fast axis speeds.

Multi-sensor capability is provided, with the Renishaw PH10M motorised probe head able to deploy a touch-trigger probe, scanning probe or laser scanner. LK’s proprietary, DMIS-based, multi-sensor CAMIO software enables programming and measurement based on 3D CAD data as well as comprehensive reporting.

The five sizes of ALTERA C HA have a measuring envelope above the granite table ranging from nominally 700 x 650 x 500 mm for the smallest CMM up to 1500 x 850 x 650 mm for the largest. The machines are compact for the size of their measuring volumes, and are also fast according to the company, accelerating at up to 1390 mm/s/s for high inspection efficiency.

LK says that the machines are equally at home in an inspection department or on the shop floor, as pneumatic anti-vibration mounts can be specified to isolate the CMM from nearby sources of low-frequency vibration, such as large machinery.

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