AIR BEARINGS
The Rotary Contour Gauge is an ultra high precision polar coordinate measuring system for the simultaneous measurement of the internal and external contours of hollow solids of revolution. The machine has two axis of freedom; a rotary table to turn the component about its axis of revolution and a tilt axis which rotates the table about a perpendicular axis.
The three axis gauge is constructed on a main, deep webbed, mehanite base casting which has been subjected to long cycle heat treatment to ensure long term dimensional stability.
The air bearing rotary table assembly is supported via two air bearing trunnions, to form the machines tilt axis. A ‘C’ bracket, mounted on the base casting, supports both the internal and external air bearing laser interferometric probes. The machine is supported on a Kinematic mount to isolate any undue stresses from influencing it. Radial distance to the inner and outer surfaces of the component are measured by a pair of air bearing helium-neon laser interferometric probes having a resolution of approximately 3 micro-inches.
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Air Bearing Laser Interferometer Probes complete with probe extension kits manufactured from carbon fibre. | |
Picture showing machined non ferrous components using an air bearing spindle with diamond cutting tools. |
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