Tutorial guide to laser trackers

OMC Project Description – Verification of Laser Tracker systems Laser Trackers are expensive instruments that are used in many high value applications either in quality control, inspection or manufacturing. Verifying the performance of these highly accurate instruments is a non trivial task. Overview Laser Trackers have become the tool of choice for most large-volume, high-value applications due to their performance that is based upon high accuracy angle encoders, an interferometer and an absolute distance measurement system. While the number of systems in use numbers in the hundreds, the infrastructure for independently verifying their performance is relatively immature. Two approaches are commonly taken, either the instrument is trusted to be in calibration or some elementary tests are performed to test the performance. Neither is a satisfactory solution. OMC has worked closely with the end users and the National Physical Laboratory to devise a methodology to verify the performance of a laser tracker. This methodology has been published and put forward to the ISO 10360-2 committee for consideration in the next revision of this standard that will hopefully encompass large volume measurement systems. In the mean time, OMC are willing and able to provide advice on this topic. Industrial partners BAe Systems, Airbus, Bombardier Shorts, National Physical Laboratory. Project duration Three years, ending in September 2002. ...