HoloTop NX

Components critical to safety – e.g. for aerospace technology, medical technology or automotive engineering – 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 HoloTop NX enables micrometer-accurate quality control of precision components directly on multi-axis systems.

Alternative to coordinate measuring machine

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 precise measurement of the

components. Typically, coordinate measuring machines in special measuring rooms outside of the machine tool are used for this purpose. The process is slow and complicated, and only random samples are possible.

Measuring the workpiece in place

Thanks to its compact design, the digital holographic measuring system HoloTop NX enables 3D inline measurements directly in the machine tool. The sensor can be installed on a number of different platforms. Using multiwavelength digital holography, HoloTop NX maps the topography even of rough object surfaces with interferometric accuracy. The sensor captures an area of 12.5 × 12.5 mm² within 500 ms. Even deviations of a few micrometers can thus be reworked directly in the machine tool without the need to first reposition the workpiece. The acquired images are processed particularly quickly, while data preprocessing guarantees good robustness to vibrations.

HoloTop NX makes it possible to detect rejects at an early stage, to identify process errors and correct them directly in the manufacturing process. This means that both the milling parameters (e.g. infeed, cutting speed) and the trajectory of the milling head can be optimized and tool wear can be detected precisely. HoloTop NX has already been successfully integrated into machine tools by Hermle and Röders.

Measuring macroscopic topography with microscopic accuracy

The tactile measurements or optical probes, which are currently commonplace, are severely limited by the number of measuring points and the significant measuring time that this entails. Furthermore, these methods have a very limited capacity to measure complex structures such as gradients, 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 sets new standards here – the sensor is fully integrable and boasts a very large working distance, a large measuring range and high measuring accuracy.