VAST XXT – probe head with a difference

Citation

(2004), "VAST XXT – probe head with a difference", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 76 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2004.12776fad.006

VAST XXT – probe head with a difference

VAST XXT – probe head with a difference

Keywords: Measurement, Metrology, Sensors

Carl Zeiss Division of Metrology extends its VASTÆ scanning measuring technology by introducing passive scanning. The new VAST XXT with its high precision, passive scanning probe head, is the latest addition to the line of active VAST sensors.

Despite its tiny design, the VAST XXT claims a huge range of measuring technology features, and is fully compatible with the Zeiss RDS Rotary Dynamic Sensor. The existing range of VAST sensors has long been delivering optimum accuracy for a range of applications that require the smallest of dimensions to be measured to the highest degree of accuracy.

Serving as an alternative to trigger-type sensors, the VAST XXT is said to provide improved operating safety and accuracy. Currently, according to Zeiss all the advantages that scanning provides, are available with its VAST probe, operating on an articulating head. These Zeiss state include more comprehensive information about the form of measured elements.

Complex kinematics can now reportedly be controlled and corrected, since the integration of complex calibration techniques, with MCC 800 “Scanning Engine” intelligent control technology. The use of BUS-based digital data transfer has also negated the need for complex wiring, historically required with measuring machines.

Zeiss also inform us that the MCC 800 control has extended VAST XXT's compatibility, making it suitable for use not only with new co-ordinate measuring machines, but also with those previously restricted to trigger systems. Owing to a synchronisation technique, used to reliably control and correlate the machine's co-ordinates, the system has a better immunity to interference, compared to a standard analogue signal transfer.

Developed using “Cardanic kinematics”, the passive scanning probe head combines minimum dimensions and weights with deflection paths, almost identical to those of large scanning probes. The moving object's centre of gravity has been chosen to keep the effects of the RDS process to a minimum, and avoids significant restrictions to the deflection path.

The kinematics for the stylus length range has been optimised for certain areas. Working in conjunction with the RDS with its 2.5_positioning, two modules permit stylus lengths between 50 and 250 mm. In comparison to the 7.5_positioning of other systems, this makes Carl Zeiss' solution extremely flexible.

Details available from: Carl Zeiss Ltd., Division of Metrology. Tel: +44 (0)1788 82177; Fax: +44 (0) 1788 821755.