The Laser Ballbar

The Laser/Ballbar device is based on a single-aperture Laser Doppler Displacement Meter (LDDM) and a flat mirror target. This instrument is non-contact with the ability to to vary the circular path radius continuously from 3" to 0.01" at the data rates of up to 1000 data/sec. As compared to conventional telescoping ballbars, the Laser/Ballbar is a 2-dimensional measurement. Both axes coordinates are measured to generate the circular path. The telescoping ballbar is a 1-dimensional measurement; only the radius changes along angular positions are measured. The angular positions are not measured but calculated by assuming the machine feed rate is a constant. Of course, the 2-dimensional Laser/Ballbar measurement will provide more information, such as feed rate or tangential velocity and acceleration. The Laser/Ballbar is an optional package for the Calibration Systems. The combined system can be used to calibrate CNC machine tools, CMMs and other precision measuring machines and stages. The Laser/Ballbar allows the operator to perform circular testes for servo-tuning and dynamic testing. The Laser/Ballbar provides a rapid and efficient way of measuring a machine's contouring accuracy along a circular path. The Windows(TM) software is easy to use, and runs on any Windows(TM)compatible PC with a pcmcia slot. The software enables the operator to collect and analyze data in accordance with various industry standards. Data can be displayed on the screen of the computer or printed in tabular and graphic format. The software also allows the operator to collect and plot data on the machines acceleration and velocity characteristics.

Optodyne Incorporated, 1180 Mahalo Place, Compton, CA 90220. Tel: 310-635-7481; Fax: 310-635-6301.