Portable CMM Targets Precision Applications

By DE Editors

Dear Desktop Engineering Reader:

Earlier this month at the Rapid 2007 conference in Detroit, I stumbled upon a bunch of engineers by the Immersion booth jostling about in that engineer hands-in-the-pockets sort of way. They were saying out loud and to no one in particular things like “neat,” “I like that,” and “oh, I see.” This veritable parade of engineer ovation was for Immersion’s new MicroScribe X portable CMM. It merits such enthusiasm.

The quick story is that the MicroScribe X is portable, highly maneuverable CMM for precision component, automotive, and other jobs that need high accuracy and speed. But the really cool part is that you do not have to ship it back to Immersion every time you want to challenge its accuracy or get it certified; it comes with a self-check verification kit and you can have a local technohuman do your annual certification on site. Oh, also cool is that it is friendly toward third-party measurement and inspection software, so you do not have to open a joint checking account with Immersion to do your job.

The MicroScribe X’s articulated arm has a safety brake that helps keep klutzes like me from breaking the thing by dropping it whenever, say, something like a random speck of dust captures my attention. As a bonus, the arm is also designed so that it won’t sap the strength out of your arm after a half-minute of work.

You can learn more about why the MicroScribe X portable CMM grabbed a lot of attention at the Rapid Show via today’s Pick of the Week write-up. But I recommend you check out the Immersion website. After you hit the link to Immersion, click on their “Features & Specs” link. This brings up an annotated picture of the MicroScribe X. Hover your mouse over the callouts for details on a given feature. Another highlight is the link to a really terrific explanation of testing and reporting CMM accuracy that everybody should read. There’s also a PDF datasheet to download.

All in all, if high-accuracy data collection is your thing, the MicroScribe should be on your short list of things to check out.

Thanks, Pal. – Lockwood.

Anthony J. Lockwood
Editorial Director, Desktop Engineering

Portable CMM Targets Precision Applications

New MicroScribe X from Immersion is a full 6-axis system.
Immersion Corp. (San Jose, CA) says that it designed its new MicroScribe X portable CMM (coordinate measuring machine) for the high-accuracy needs of automotive and manufacturers of precision components. This 20.5-pound portable is a complete system, offering 6-axis (degrees of freedom) flexibility, automatic temperature compensation, and utility software to enable 2D or 3D data to be sent to a host application.

The six-axis MicroScribe X is engineered with what the company calls a SmartCapture coil trigger. The SmartCapture trigger provides for continuous or single-point data collection, and it supports a variety of tips. A key feature of the SmartCapture is that it deflects in any direction, which helps eliminate inconsistent pressure, and it uses LEDs to signal consistent or inconsistent pressure. SmartCapture also isolates the probe from the user's hand to help maintain constant temperature.

IMAT v2.2

The MicroScribe X also deploys a dual-mode electromechanical safety brake that provides two services. First, it removes the unit’s weight off the your upper arm, so arm strain is eliminated. Second, it helps prevent damage to the unit by automatically engaging when it detects high joint acceleration — that is, when you drop it. The safety brake also automatically engages when the arm is in its home position for more than 30 seconds. The brake can also remain on without power, and, says the company, it won't break if its strength is exceeded.

The MicroScribe X's volumetric length accuracy is 40 microns, sphere center repeatability is 15 microns, and effective diameter is 12 microns. In addition, the system can be tuned for an application-specific measurement range, and it is supplied with a verification kit to enable accuracy self-checks at any time.

The six-axis MicroScribe X CMM arm is compatible with third-party measurement and inspection software, allowing you to stick with your existing software or choose the package best suited to your application needs. Supported applications include PowerINSPECT, SolidWorks, and Verisurf.

Additionally, the MicroScribe X system supports a choice for certification procedures, including certification at the customer's site. Your MicroScribe X can be re-certified on-site by a local authorized technician, eliminating shipping costs and reducing downtime.

Immersion Corp. backs its new MicroScribe X CMM arm with a three-year warranty. In addition to the warranty, a complete MicroScribe X portable CMM system comes with the electromechanical brake; serial and USB-to-serial cables; power supply; transit case; the Windows-based utility software; the verification kit, which includes a bar gauge, certified length certificate, and software; and two ruby sphere probe tips, measuring 0.12 inch (3 mm) and 0.24 inch (6 mm). Options include a mobile tripod, a magnetic base, and an assortment of probe tips.

For complete details, click here to go to the MicroScribe X landing page.