AlignMeter
Using the characteristics of a well-collimated laser beam, which travels straight with great accuracy, detector systems sensitive to the position of the laser beam as it propagates promise extremely accurate measurements of mechanical straightness over long distances. A typical instrument called Alignmeter is a non-contact measurement instrument, sensitive to the incoming direction of a laser into its aperture. The system will measure four parameters: XY deviation perpendicular to the propagation axis, and angular deviations (θ-x, θ-y) of the laser beam with respect to the optical axis of the alignment. Generally speaking, straightness refers to engineering quality regarding mechanical straightness, motion wobble, and stability. Unlike other instruments such as Autocollimators, Alignment Telescopes, and Theodolites, this technique relies on examining the propagation variation between a laser beam and a detection system (Alignmeter) which is mechanically attached to the member to be examined. Variation between the laser datum and the Alignmeter will describe the straightness in accuracy.
Applications
Typical applications are:
- CNC and gantry crane examination for straightness.
- Alignment of articulated hollow arms.
- Testing the straightness of lift shafts.
- Macro printing on glass and wide-bed printers.
References
- Aharon; Vishnia (2015). "Metrology system for inter-alignment of lasers, telescopes, and mechanical datum". Optifab 2015. 9633. SPIE Proceedings Vol. 9633. p. 963328. doi:10.1117/12.2196567. Search this book on
- Fan; Yang. "A laser straightness measurement system using optical fiber and modulation techniques". ScienceDirect, International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture.
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