Mitutoyo has developed the "Crysta-Plus M500/700 Series", a new type of manual coordinate measuring machine designed for use at manufacturing sites. It has an optional temperature compensation function, the first in the industry for manual type CMMs, and it is equipped with bellows to protect the machine from contamination by dust. The Crysta-Plus M series CMMs will be released for sale on January 21, 2003. These new CMMs will be exhibited at "the 21st Japan International Machine Tool Fair (JIMTOF2002)", which opens on October 28, 2002 at the Tokyo Big Sight.
Coordinate measuring machines are becoming increasingly indispensable as the mainstream precision-measuring instruments that support quality control of parts and products in various manufacturing. With this trend, improved productivity to achieve improved competitiveness is becoming a need shared by many customers. There is an increasing need, based on the concept that a "quality control should be incorporated right into the manufacturing process", for high-accuracy CMMs that can be used on-site whenever necessary and that are easy to operate. While approximately 70% of the currently used CMMs are CNC (computer numerically controlled) type, the demand persists for manual type CMMs. The manual type CMMs are used in a wide range of applications, from a simple length measurement in which the CMM is used like a measuring tool, such as caliper, to a more sophisticated dimensional measurement. In responding to these customer needs, Mituoyo, which boasts past CMM sales of 33,000 machines cumulatively, has recently developed the new manual type "Crysta-Plus M500/700 series" CMMs. This new series of CMMs are equipped with various functions that are not available with the manual type CMMs of other CMM manufacturers. With these new CMMs, Mitutoyo expects to strengthen its leading position in the market.
The "Crysta-Plus M500/700 series" has been developed for on-site use. In order to allow its use at a manufacturing site where ambient temperature is not always consistent, it offers the optional temperature compensation function, which is the first in the industry on a manual type CMM to guarantee accuracy in a wide range of temperatures, from 16oC to 26oC. The bellows attached to the guide unit of the "Crysta-Plus M500/700 series" CMM, also the first in the industry, prevents contamination by dust. The new "Crysta-Plus M500/700 series" also provides greatly improved operability. Approximately 50% of the manual type CMM users install a centering microscope on their CMM. For this reason, the fine-feed systems of the Crysta-Plus M500/700 series for the X- and Y-axis adjustment are located all in one place to provide greatly improved operability. Serving Mitutoyo' s customers' needs is also reflected in small details, such as the optional illumination system, which can be installed at the end of the Z-axis to improve the operator' s visual recognition of the workpiece. Additionally, with the greatly improved accuracy and cost-performance ratio, plus the possibility of being turned into a CNC type machine by retrofit, one can say that the "Crysta-Plus M500/700 series" is a new species of manual CMM that draws a clear line that separates itself from the conventional manual CMMs.
|
