Renishaw radio probes have proven particularly effective in industries that produce very large, high value parts with complex geometry, such as aerospace manufacturing.

Bringing extreme precision to complex 3D part measurement on machine tools, a new touch probe from Renishaw Inc., Hoffman Estates, Ill., combines two advanced technologies — high accuracy strain-gage sensing and frequency-hopping spread-spectrum (FHSS) radio transmission. The design allows sophisticated part checking precision on 5-axis machining, contours, deep cavities, undercuts, etc. where obstacles or part features can block transmission by optical line-of-sight probes. The RMP600 touch probe makes possible rapid, automated part set-up and changeover, in-process control of critical dimensions, and even final inspection on certain parts. A compact design, solid-state electronics, and interference-free signal transmission allow application to all sizes of machining centers, harsh environments, and noisy plant floors with competing wireless communications.

The company's strain gage technology — Rengage — combines a patented sensing mechanism and advanced electronics to allow sub-micron 3D probe performance on contoured surfaces, even with long styli. Regarding signal transmission, the FHSS transmission system does not use a dedicated radio channel. Instead, the probe and receiver “hop” together through a sequence of channels. FHSS enables multiple machining centers with the probe system to coexist with confidence in noisy industrial environments, particularly as wireless Wi-Fi proliferates on plant floors. Paired with an RMI receiver, the probe's signals are transmitted over long distances with a negligible chance of interference. For more information, visit www.renishaw.com.