What is laser calibration?
Laser calibration
is a means of compensating for wear or inaccuracies in your machine tools. The laser is used to measure the positioning
error in the machines axes. If the CNC control has a feature commonly called Lead Screw Error Compensation, then this
data can be used to compensate for the measured error.
Why do I need laser calibration?
If your machine must be used to perform
accurate work, then you should consider laser calibration. The laser not only shows you how accurate your machine is,
but can be used to compensate for inaccuracies.
When do I need laser calibration?
Laser calibration should be performed after
any major mechanical work is done to a machine's axis. This includes new ballscrews, gearing or feedback changes.
Can I use laser calibration?
The laser can be used to measure any machine.
Laser compensation can only be used if you have a CNC control with this feature.
Using standards of which the calibration is traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Optodyne
calibrated our LDDM Laser System. The Laser System was calibrated by comparison with a Precision LDDM System which was calibrated
by NIST to be accurate to within 0.5 ppm with automatic atmospheric pressure and air temperature compensation. The two systems
were aligned along a common axis with retroreflectors placed back to back on a travel carriage. The ambiant conditions were
at 68 +/- 2 degrees F and 40% humidity.
The calibration system is in compliance with MIL-STD-45662A. The calibration system uncertainty was estimated to be +/-
0.5 ppm.
Based on the measured data, the accuracy of the laser system is less than 0.000017 inch over 20 inches or +/- 0.66 ppm.
NIST Test Number 821-257670-97