Gagemax From Zeiss A New Cmm For The Shop-Floor Offers Lower Life Cycle Costs And Higher Productivity

MAPLE GROVE, Oct 1 — With GageMax, Carl Zeiss Industrial Measuring Technology (IMT) introduces the latest coordinate measuring machine (CMM) of its "MaxLine". GageMax, a more compact version of the CenterMax introduced in 2001, was developed in cooperation with customers from different industries. The result is a machine that offers reduced life cycle costs, increased productivity, and meets the harsh conditions of a typical production environment.

State-of-the-art technologies in an open measuring center

GageMax offers a small footprint for easy integration into the production line. The key to providing metrology room precision in a manufacturing environment is the unique 3D box. It houses the complete measuring technology. New guideway and drive systems allow the machine to be used even in very rough ambient conditions.

Until now, air bearings were generally used for highly accurate coordinate measuring machines. GageMax features linear guideways specifically designed for high-precision measuring technology. This guideway technology permits ambient temperatures of more than 35° C and eliminates the need for purified air. No additional costs are incurred for enclosures, air-conditioning or clean-room conditions, because all critical components are housed in the compact, protected 3D box.

GageMax can be used like an open metrology room. As a result, time is saved by reducing part transport and allowing parts to adapt to the temperature of the metrology room. Measured data is available immediately.

Programmable gage

Components tend to be re-developed or changed in ever shorter cycles. Just by changing the measuring program, GageMax is ready for new workpieces without any lengthy downtimes. Conventional doghouse gages on the other hand incur high costs for downtimes and rebuilding. GageMax is available with the VAST XT probe and the Windows-based Calypso CAD software.

Headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany, the global player Carl Zeiss is a leading international group of companies operating in the optical and opto- electronic industry. Carl Zeiss offers technologically advanced solutions for the areas Semiconductor and Opto-electronic Technology, the Life Sciences and Health Care, Eye Care, Industrial Solutions and sophisticated products in the field of Consumer and Sports Optics. The company is directly represented in more than 30 countries and runs production centers in Europe, North America, Mexico and Asia. In the 2001/02 fiscal year a global workforce of roughly 14,700 people achieved a sales figure of just under EUR 2.3 billion. For more information, please visit www.zeiss.de.

Contact for the press (USA): Annette Smith, Maple Grove, Minnesota, Phone (763) 744-2409, Fax (763) 533-0219, E-Mail asmith@zeiss.com Internet http://www.zeiss.com/imt