Length Gage Measures Applications in Harsh Environments

Heidenhain’s Heidenhain-Specto ST 3087 RC length gage is designed for measurement applications in harsh environments such as in metal-cutting production areas. It has an IP 67 level ingress protection to allow parts to be measured directly at the grinding, cutting, or forming location, instead of removing them to quality islands or laboratories. 

The gage has a housing for in-process measurements. In the plunger rest position, it houses the plunger and a rubber bellows surrounding the plunger, as well as a splash guard cap to close the exit opening for the plunger in the housing. For a measurement, which is normally made when the cooling lubricant is switched off, only the plunger and its bellows extend out of the housing, driven by compressed air.

The optical scanning provides high-accurate position values with a maximum error of ±1 µm over a 30-mm measuring range. The stroke of 30 mm and its high accuracy over its entire measuring range allows it to measure diverse components from the same fixture. In addition, the optical scanning together with the ball guide also permits consistent repeatability when scanning oblique surfaces. The cycle time for measurements is below 1.5 sec.