Por el momento, esta página no está disponible en español. Puede obtener una traducción automática mediante la opción de traducción de Google. No podemos responsabilizarnos de este servicio puesto que podemos no verificar los resultados de la traducción.
Si desea más información, póngase en contacto con nosotros.

Automatic environmental compensation for laser measurement

Renishaw's XC100 environmental compensator monitors changes in temperature, air pressure and humidity, helping to ensure laser system accuracy

Fluctuations in air temperature, air pressure and relative humidity can affect the wavelength of a laser beam, and therefore risk causing errors in measurement readings. Renishaw's XC100 compensator automatically monitors environmental conditions and compensates for changes that could affect measurement accuracy, without the need for manual intervention. This ensures that Renishaw's linear laser measurement maintains market-leading accuracy across a wide range of environmental conditions.

How does environmental compensation improve measurement accuracy?

Environmental compensators account for how changing environmental conditions affect laser measurements.

By measuring changes in the atmosphere, an environmental compensator calculates the refractive index of air and adjusts the laser interferometer read-out. This automatically adjusts for changes in the laser's wavelength, reducing measurement uncertainty and removing the risk of human error.

The intelligent sensors unique to Renishaw's XC100 compensator process the data at source and very accurately measure environmental conditions. These readings are updated frequently and are used in continuous calculations to virtually eliminate any measurement errors resulting from these variations.

An XL-80 interferometer is set up on a machine bed with optics in place. The XC100 hub and sensors are in place.

XM-60 calibrator set up within a machine, with the XC100 system performing environmental compensation

Why choose the XC100 compensator?

Environmental compensation is essential for achieving accurate linear measurement results.

Building on Renishaw's established environmental compensation technology, the XC100 compensator is the latest advancement in our calibration product range and can be used in conjunction with the XL-80 laser interferometer. It is also compatible with the XM-60 and XM-600 multi-axis calibrators. It is compatible with CARTO software, providing a seamless experience across Renishaw's calibration product range.

The XC100 compensator comprises the XC100 hub, air and material sensors, and wired modules. The XC100 hub is the central unit, processing data from the internal pressure sensor and remote sensors. The high-resolution LCD touchscreen display with a wide viewing angle is ideal for real-time monitoring of remote sensor status, and the intuitive visual indicators further simplify operation.

The XC100 compensator also measures material temperature. This enables calibration results from machines operating at different temperatures to be normalised to a standard temperature.

Improved performance, greater adaptability

Effective wavelength compensation is crucial for ensuring accuracy. The XC100 compensator is a key component for maintaining this level of accuracy across a wide range of conditions.

For more information on the importance of environmental compensation, read our Interferometry explained article.

Icon showing automation. A thick orange cog in the centre of a broken orange circle

Icon of bullseye representing high accuracy

Icon showing fingers snapping representing easy set-up

Automated

Sensor readings refresh every two seconds and are used to continuously apply automatic adjustments to ensure laser accuracy is maintained consistently.

Accuracy assured

Improved linear accuracy of laser measurement to 0.4 ppm, providing confidence in test results and machine health.

Easy set-up

Snap-lock sensor cables, integrated magnetic attachments and other fixturing options provide flexibility for a wide range of applications.

Icon showing three lines with circles, with circles at different points along them representing a simple set up

Icon of thermal optimisation. A thick orange circle with three lines of waves in the centre

Icon showing a dial gauge pointed to the very edge with stars representing high performance

Configurable

Any combination of air and material sensors can be used to meet different application requirements. The dual-purpose air sensor also measures both humidity and ambient temperature for added versatility.

Thermally optimised

The unique design decreases the delay between temperature change and sensor response. It minimises any self-heating from electronics and de-coupling from influencing measured temperature readings.

Performance

Highly responsive sensing performance maintains high accuracy of laser readings, even in environments with rapidly fluctuating conditions.

Environmental compensation is not required for angular or straightness measurements when using a Renishaw laser system. These measurements are calculated from the differences in two beam paths close together, where the environmental factors self-cancel. As rotary axis, flatness and squareness measurements are also based on these measurements, they do not require environmental compensation either.