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Autocollimators

Autocollimators
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Autocollimators

Product catalog summary
Introduction to Autocollimators
Autocollimators are precision optical instruments used for measuring small angular displacements, straightness, flatness, squareness, and parallelism. They are essential in workshops, tool rooms, inspection departments, and quality control laboratories.
Principles of Autocollimation
The principle involves collimating light from an origin point using a high-quality objective lens. Any tilt in the reflector causes a displacement of the image, which can be measured to determine the angle of tilt.
Types and Features of Autocollimators
  • Visual Autocollimators: Models like VA900 and TA51 are equipped with micrometers for precise angular measurements, offering flexibility and affordability.
  • Ultra Series Digital Autocollimators: These provide high accuracy and a wide measurement range, featuring dual-axis operation, laser sighting aids, and touch-screen interfaces.
Applications
Autocollimators are used for checking straightness of machine tool slideways, measuring small angles and linear displacements, checking flatness and squareness of surfaces, and calibrating polygons and rotary tables.
Measurement Procedures
Autocollimators are mounted directly onto machine slideways or using brackets. Measurements involve using a reflector on a carriage to detect angular deviations, which are computed to determine errors in straightness, parallelism, and squareness.
Advanced Features
The Ultra High Precision Autocollimator offers ultra-high accuracy suitable for high precision measurement and indexing of small angles, including software for advanced measurement and analysis.
Conclusion
Autocollimators are essential tools in precision measurement, offering high accuracy and versatility across various applications in metrology.
Specifications
The autocollimators are designed for high accuracy angular measurements, with the Ultra model offering a resolution of 0.001 arc seconds and a measurement range of 1800 arc seconds. The system includes a digital display and software for data analysis and reporting.
Applications
Key applications include measuring the parallelism of twin rails, checking indexing heads and polygons, and testing optical prisms and angle gauges. The system conforms to VDI/DGQ3441 and ISO230-2 standards.
Accessories
A range of accessories is available, including various reflectors, optical squares, and adjustable bases, enhancing the functionality of the autocollimators for specific measurement tasks.
Procedures
The document outlines procedures for setting up and using the autocollimators, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the reference line during measurements to ensure accuracy.
Recommendations
Regular calibration and maintenance are recommended to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the measurement system. A UKAS certificate is suggested for traceable performance guarantees.
Technical Data
Detailed technical data is provided for different models, including dimensions, weight, and working distances, along with conditions affecting measurement accuracy, such as air path conditions.
Contact Information
Contact details for Taylor Hobson's service, sales, and Centre of Excellence departments are provided for further assistance and support.
Overview of Global Presence
The document provides information about Taylor Hobson's global presence and services related to metrology, including training and calibration in accordance with ISO standards.
Key Services
  • Metrology Training: Offers practical, hands-on training courses for roundness and surface finish conducted by experienced metrologists.
  • Operator Training: On-site instruction aimed at increasing proficiency and productivity.
  • UKAS Calibration and Testing: Certification services for artifacts or instruments, available both in their laboratory and at the customer's site.
Global Offices
The document lists contact information for Taylor Hobson offices worldwide, including locations in the UK, France, Germany, Italy, India, China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Mexico, and the USA.
Contact Information
Each office's address, telephone number, and email are provided for direct communication.
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Catalog excerpts

Autocollimators-1

Measuring angle, straightness, flatness, squareness & parallelism

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Autocollimators-2

The Autocollimator range For measuring angle, straightness, flatness, squareness and parallelism Used extensively in workshop, tool rooms, inspection departments and quality control laboratories throughout the world. Taylor Hobson Autocollimators – developments of the renowned Hilger and Watts products – are sensitive optical instruments designed for the accurate measurement of small angular displacements. There are a number of models in this comprehensive range, from the simple Minidekkor to the Ultra High Precision Autocollimator. The principles of autocollimation Light from an origin point...

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Autocollimators-3

Autocollimation in practice Checking, measuring, indexing & monitoring Taylor Hobson Autocollimators are used in conjunction with reflecting mirrors or surfaces for the accurate measurement of small angular deviations from a datum angle. The main advantages of Taylor Hobson autocollimators are: • igh accuracy & wide range angle measurement H • Easy to set up and operate • alibration traceable to international standards C • Choice of Visual or Electronic systems • Wide range of accessories and levels Ultra High Precision Autocollimator with reference index table used to calibrate a polygon Their...

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Autocollimators-4

Visual Autocollimators Flexible, affordable, easy-to-use and read The visual autocollimators are extremely accurate instruments with a wide variety of applications. They are normally supplied with the eyepiece positioned for straight through viewing, although the TA51 is available with the eyepiece positioned for right angle viewing if required. Measurements are made using a graticule in the eyepiece viewing system with or without micrometers. The Taylor Hobson VA900 and TA51 Autocollimators incorpaorate a micrometer in the eyepiece viewing system for the precise measurements of angular displacement....

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Autocollimators-5

…checking the TB100 clinometer with the TA51 autocollimator VA900 Microptic Dual Axis Autocollimator (code 112-2208 / M112-5767) • Lightweight high accuracy instrument • Ideal for precise measurement of angle of components such as prisms and for checking straightness, flatness and angular indexing • Wide range using combination of graticule and micrometer The VA900 Microptic Autocollimator is a dual axis, lightweight, highly accurate instrument. It is ideally suited for the precise measurement of angles or components such as prisms, for checking straightness, flatness or angular indexing. Measurement...

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Autocollimators-6

Ultra Series Digital Autocollimators Dual axis Using the latest CCD technology the Ultra Dual Axis Autocollimator is a highly versatile instrument offering high accuracy and stability over a range of applications. Simple set-up This wide range Autocollimator comes with a laser sighting aid for simple setup. Combine this with the clear visual display on the autocollimators tablet PC and set up is easy even over long distances or with small reflectors. Clear results The Ultra Autocollimator also includes as standard the Taylor Hobson dedicated Optical Analysis software which allows advanced measurement,...

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Autocollimators-7

Indexing tables in the lab Ultra Autocollimator is ideal for measurement of angular indexing heads and tables. It is also commonly used to determine the errors of a polygon when used with a calibrated indexing table. Ultra High Precision Autocollimator (code 142-204-01) Key features • • • • • • Ultra high 0.1 sec accuracy Range of 300 seconds Simultaneous dual axis measurement Laser sighting aid for easy set up Includes software and tablet PC as standard Ideal for high precision measurement and indexing of small angles • Suitable for calibration of polygons, rotary tables and encoders • Alignment...

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Autocollimators-8

Application: Two axis straightness, squareness, parallelism and twist measurement of machine tool slides Among the large number of applications possible with the Taylor Hobson Ultra Dual Axis Autocollimator, the most common is the simultaneous two axis straightness measurement of machine tool slideways. Typically a ten metre slide can be checked in approximately five minutes – a considerable reduction in the amount of time taken compared with more conventional methods. The supplied PC also has Taylor Hobson applications software pre-loaded at no extra cost, for computerised measurement of straightness,...

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Autocollimators-9

Application: Parallelism of twin rails The addition of a Talyvel ® electronic level (M112-4515) on an adjustable base (112-5592) with optical square (142-77) allows parallelism to be set and checked in 2 axes. This is a common application which can be solved by using an autocollimator together with an optical square and mirror. Firstly the autocollimator is positioned and set up with the optical square to measure the first rail. The autocollimator can be mounted on trivets, tripods or heavy duty stands and the reflector is moved along the first rail and a series of straightness measurements can...

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Autocollimators-10

Adaptor plate (112-4947) shown on tripod Vertical Base with bracket (112-3451/112-3450) and Levelling base (K501-3341) Accessory illustrations are a visual representation and may differ slighty.

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Autocollimators-11

Tripods stands or trivets Unmounted 50 mm glass reflector 38 mm Glass Cube Reflector Standard 50 mm Glass Reflector Large Glass Reflector Vertical Base with Adjusting Bracket 12 sided Polygon (up to 72 sided polygons available on request) Optical Square Adjustable Base Side Feet Reflector with magnetic base Adjustable table for optical square Azimuth base Levelling bases and stands 1 Levelling base Included as standard with Autocollimators TA51 and Ultra series. The levelling base provides support for the Autocollimator, enabling the unit to be levelled and to bring its axis parallel to the surface...

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Autocollimators-12

Accessories Straightness & flatness measurement 6 Standard glass reflector 50 mm (2 inch) A reflector is an integral part of any Autocollimator system. Successful autocollimation requires a reflector of adequate flatness, reflectivity and diameter; this reflector meets all of these requirements. Steel reflectors and unmounted versions can be supplied to special order. Also available with a double sided reflector (112-5467) or as a single sided adjustable reflector (112-5468). • Diameter: 50 mm (2.0 in) nominal • Faces Parallel to Within: 5 secs • Faces Flat to Within: 0.1 µm (3.8 µin) • entre...

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*Prices are pre-tax. They exclude delivery charges and customs duties and do not include additional charges for installation or activation options. Prices are indicative only and may vary by country, with changes to the cost of raw materials and exchange rates.