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Introduction

Renishaw’s technology

Renishaw stands at the forefront ofautomated metrology, with the Group’s products providing manufacturers with the ability to machine components accurately, and perform measurement traceable to international standards.Probe technology, allows fast, highlyrepeatable measurements to be carried out on co-ordinate measuring machines (CMMs).A wide range of automated probingsystems has been developed to meet the needs of post-process inspection, for quality control.During the manufacturing operation, probesused on computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine tools provide the measurement capability to automatically control the machining process. This eliminates the need for costly, time consuming manual procedures.Renishaw gives extra capability to CNCmachine tools and CMMs by enabling scanning and digitising of 3-dimensional (3D) forms to generate the necessary NC programs to produce either replica parts, or moulds and dies.Renishaw has developed the Cyclonescanning machine and associated software, a cost-effective solution to stand-alone digitising.The revolutionary manufacturing system,RAMTIC (Renishaw’s automated milling, turning and inspection centre), maximises the potential of existing machine tools, enabling milling, turning and inspection on a single machine, together with automated loading and unloading of materials and tools. CNC machine tools and CMMs benefit fromregular volumetric checking by Renishaw’s automated ball-bar and machine checking gauge.Comprehensive machine calibration can beundertaken, when necessary, using Renishaw’s innovative laser calibration systems.Renishaw has developed linear scale, laserinterferometer and encoder systems for fitting to a variety of machines, to provide axis displacement measurement. Dedicated lengths of rigid scale are not required, since Renishaw’s approach has been to produce flexible scale that can be dispensed from a reel and cut to the required length.Renishaw has also applied its innovatoryapproach to produce a Raman microscope and accessories for 2D spectral analysis of materials in a non-destructive manner.From its leading market position, theRenishaw Group continues to expand its product range into ever increasing business sectors worldwide. Identifying and targeting new market opportunities has led to the continuous development and introduction of new, highly innovative products which significantly enhance the manufacturing capabilities in a wide range of industries.