Advancement of ultra-compact probes and automatic measuring platforms

Produce faster and more accurately with integrated measurement systems

Renishaw will present integrated measurement solutions, new ultra-compact probes and an advanced digital platform that collects, processes and presents process and measurement data from the shop floor at the Machineering trade show in Brussels (March 26-28, 2025). By extensively optimizing and automating measurement processes, Renishaw is laying the foundation for increased manufacturing quality, production capacity and speed.

In its more than 50 years of existence, Renishaw (anno 1973) has grown into a renowned global industrial technology group providing precision solutions for metrology and healthcare. In addition, Renishaw is one of the leading global players in 3D metal printing. The company has 67 offices in 36 countries and more than 5,000 employees worldwide. More than 3,000 of these work at its headquarters in the United Kingdom where the emphasis is on research, development and manufacturing.

Less downtime

Rob Reuter, Benelux sales manager Industrial Metrology at Renishaw, explains the importance of fast and accurate measurement, especially in manufacturing. "It is in fact very simple. Measuring takes time. Especially if you have to remove a workpiece from the machine and check it geometrically and/or for surface roughness in the measuring room. Our R&D department therefore works continuously to develop faster and more efficient measuring probes, measuring systems and measuring methods, both for integration in production and application in the measuring room. An example of this is our AGILITY CMM program. This helps to increase production capacity and quality by providing fully integrated measurement of both dimension and surface roughness. Thanks to optimized 5-axis measuring technology, AGILITY CMMs deliver fast solutions with a very high level of performance both on the shop floor and in the measuring room. The machines are designed to take full advantage of all the benefits of the REVO 5-axis multisensor measurement system. Then we are talking about 15% to 50% savings in cycle times compared to 3-axis measurement systems and integrated measurement/inspection of both dimensions and surface roughness."

RMP24 micro

"Another innovation is our new ultra-compact RMP24 micro probe," continued Reuter. "When measuring on/in the machine and especially during the machining process, the probe should interfere with machine movements as little as possible. So the smaller the better, and with only 24 mm in diameter and 31.4 mm in length, our new RMP24-micro is the smallest wireless probe for use in machine tools in the world! Its development was based on Renishaw's well-known kinematic probe design. It has proven itself for over five decades for fast, accurate and reliable part setting and inspection. The small new probe is designed for micro-precision applications such as those required in the medical, dental and electronics sectors, as well as in the jewelry and watch industries. It is the ideal measurement solution for machines with a small working volume, machining valuable products with delicate surfaces. As small as the RMP24 is, however, its performance is great. Such as the unmatched repeatability of 0.35 µm 2. The probe is also characterized by extremely low XY measuring forces of only 0.08 N. This allows even impressionable parts to be accurately measured while protecting them from damage. The wireless data transmission is insensitive to interference thanks to the staggered bandwidth (FHSS) and is characterized by very low power consumption."

Measuring in the workplace

Calipers, micrometers, approval/reject calibrators and hole calibrators have long been familiar measuring instruments in production environments. But the advance of manufacturing automation and robotization require new, faster and, if possible, automated forms of process control. The Equator system is Renishaw's answer. Equator is a flexible gauging system built for speed, repeatability and ease of use in automated applications. Not surprisingly, hundreds of manufacturers worldwide have already replaced their existing gauging systems with an Equator system.

Data-driven production

Data collection and data analysis are the basis of smart factories. Renishaw Central has been developed specifically for these applications. This is a digital production data platform that collects, processes and presents process and measurement data from measuring devices in production. The variety of information it provides allows process faults to be identified, analyzed, as well as predicted and prevented. In doing so, Renishaw Central lays the foundation for an optimally efficient and productive plant with fewer failures, less downtime, less waste and lower costs.   

Machineering 2025 - stand number 200