HoloTop NX

Critical safety components, such as those used in aerospace technology, automotive engineering, and medical technology, must be produced with an accuracy of a few micrometers. Even cutting-edge processing machines are often unable to reliably deliver such a level of accuracy. The digital holographic measurement system. The digital holographic HoloTop NX sensors enable micro­meter-accurate quality control of precision components directly on multi-axis systems.

Extension to coordinate measuring machines

In component manufacturing, unfavorable trajectories or even minor wear to tools can lead to component geometries which do not conform to the specifications. Quality con­trol thus involves precisely measuring the components. Typically, coordinate measuring machines separate from the manufacturing process are used for this purpose. This process is slow and complicated, and only spot checks are possible.

Measuring the workpiece in place

Thanks to their compact design, the digital holographic sensors in the HoloTop NX sensor family are ideal for 3D inline measurements directly on multi-axis systems. Using multi­wavelength digital holography, HoloTop NX sensors map the topography even of rough object surfaces with interferometric accuracy. The sensor captures an area of 12.5 × 12.5 mm² within 100 ms. Even deviations of a few micrometers can be measured directly during manufacturing and reworked as needed. The acquired images are processed particularly quickly, while data preprocessing guarantees good robustness to vibrations.

HoloTop NX sensors make it possible to detect rejects at an early stage, identify process errors and correct them directly in the manufacturing process. Thanks to their modular design, the sensors can be used with a wide range of handling systems. For example, HoloTop NX sensors have already been successfully used on machines from Hermle, Hexagon, and Stäubli. 

Measuring macroscopic topography with microscopic accuracy

Tactile measurements or optical probes, which are currently commonplace, are severely limited by the number of measur­ing points and the significant time required for the measurement. Furthermore, these methods have a very limited capacity to measure complex structures such as steep slopes, deep grooves, high edges or holes. Optical alternatives generally require a separate measurement system, meaning that workpieces must be repeatedly set up after inspection. HoloTop NX sensors set new standards here—they are fully integrable and boasts a very large working distance, a large measuring range and high measuring accuracy.