CMM Styli

Renishaw Inc.-performance stylus line is designed to improve CMM precision in any application that demands a stylus measuring 50 mm or longer. Made from carbon-fiber-reinforced material called "Renishaw GF," these styli are said to feature stiffness that is higher than that of steel, at a mass comparable to ceramics. The result is a lightweight stylus that provides the minimum pre-travel variation in long-reach applications.

The company did a side-by-side comparison of ceramic, steel, and the GF styli (all 50 mm long with a 4 mm ball, and all using the same CMM and probe). The ceramic and steel styli showed X-Y pre-travel variations of ±3.12 and ±1.57 µm, respectively, at masses of 0.9 and 2.5 g. The 1 g stylus provided lowest pre-travel variation of the three: ±1.30 µm.

The styli are available with ruby ball tip 4, 5, or 6 mm in diameter. Stylus extensions are available in increments of 40, 50, 70, and 90 mm. To maximize stiffness, neither the stylus nor extensions have flats or cross holes for tightening. Instead, the styli come with a customized torque tool, which tightens without holes or flats, and protects the stylus threads by breaking out at the maximum tightening torque.

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