Non-contact Surface Measurement System

The Space-Gage non-contact, precision surface measurement combines features that permit online monitoring of assembly processes, prototyping and reverse engineering, and in-process production inspection.

Here's how it works. The system collects a portion of scattered light coaxially with the emitted beam, which ends the need for active targets, retro-reflectors, or tooling balls. The returned energy is compared with a reference signal and converted into usable measurement data. The operator can determine the exact area of geometry to be investigated using the company's PointScan technique that focuses on the area or feature of interest. The data density of the targeted feature is increased, while optimizing both speed of measurement and size of file. The measured data can then interface with a number of geometric software products currently available.

By adopting a polar coordinate system, the Space-Gage doesn't have to worry about the 21 sources of mechanical errors that are typical in a traditional CMM. The X-Y scanning mirrors are designed for long-term stability.

Space-Gage can perform on-the-fly self-calibration at a duty cycle of 1% or less, thanks to the system's design as well as its high-speed analog/digital circuitry used in signal processing.

Miara, Inc., 18321 Ventura Blvd., Suite 580, Tarzana, CA 91356. Tel: 818-345-2506; Fax: 818-345-2311.