Equator gauging systems TM

Renishaw’s Equator gauging systems provide speed, repeatability and ease of use for manual and automated
applications on the shop floor. Its versatility, flexibility and thermal insensitivity deliver high-speed comparative
gauging for inspection of medium to high-volume manufactured parts.

www.renishaw.com/equator #renishaw
 The role of Equator gauging TM

systems on the shop floor

To control manufacturing processes, gauges, such as sets of callipers, go / no-go
gauges or bore gauges, have been used for decades. The Equator system is an
innovative flexible gauge designed to provide speed, repeatability and ease of use
for manual or automated applications on the shop floor.

As part of an automated cell As a standalone gauging system

• Delivers all the benefits of a standalone Equator • Measurement of all critical features is achievable on
gauging system a single device
• Connection to robots and controllers eliminates • Allows in-process corrections to be made manually
human error and boosts throughput or automatically after key manufacturing operations
• Offset feedback can be sent directly to the machine • Allows increased frequency of inspection and rapid
tool controllers reaction to process variation
• Parts can be automatically sorted based on
whether they pass or fail inspection

2 EquatorTM gauging systems

Benefits of Equator gauging systems

Improve process control

With the help of additional IPC
software, the Equator gauging
systems have the ability to
apply automatic offset updates,
compensating for common causes of
process instability, such as tool wear
and thermal drift. Its built-in Process
Monitor software makes part-to-part
inspection results instantly visible
via a status monitor bar graph and
feature table.

Reduce inspection costs

The Equator gauging systems can
be programmed to inspect multiple
different parts, replacing the need for
multiple hard gauges and removing
the ongoing calibration costs.

Maintain accuracy on the

shop floor
The Equator gauging systems
can operate in temperatures from
5 - 50 °C and up to 80% humidity,
offering inspection confidence on the
shop floor. Thermal variation can be
addressed by re-zeroing the system.

Minimal training required

for operators
The Equator gauging systems are
equipped with bar code readers for
automatic program selection, allowing
operators to run complex gauging
routines at the touch of a button.

Our customer has done its own inspection of incoming goods, checking against our reported values
and have been thrilled. They have not encountered this level of quality from other suppliers.

PEAK (Germany)

www.renishaw.com/equator 3
Process control
The EquatorTM gauging systems built-in Process Monitor software The Equator is easily
can connect directly to the CNC controllers. There is a range of able to measure within
options for feeding back offsets and corrections to the process, our tolerances with
including the ability to set warning limits so that action is taken a high margin and
its speed allows it to
before out of tolerance parts are made. Measurement results and
easily keep pace with
process corrections are displayed instantly on a run chart, which
the process. For our
shows trends and production history.
machining cell there was
no other cost-effective
Key
shop floor measuring
100.019
Tolerance tool comparable to the
100.009 Warning
Nominal Equator.
mm

99.999 Remastering and

tool offsets
Conroe (USA)
99.989

99.979 Master Offset Offset

applied failed
Runs

Process Monitor run chart showing CNC updates

Update multiple Manage tool life Control processes

machines Better understand the life of your Measure size, position and 3D
cutting tools, and set user-defined geometry data at the point of
Update several machines on a per
tool wear warning limits. Sister manufacture to update offsets
feature basis, and feed back to
tooling is supported. and improve process capability.
multiple tools. This enables control
Measurements from multiple parts
of multiple manufacturing operations
can be averaged to reduce variation.
with one gauging cycle.

4 EquatorTM gauging systems

System integration within
automated cells

Automation hardware Automation software Intelligent Process

The REN-IO units with its input and EZ-IO software simplifies setup of Control (IPC)
output capabilities allow the Equator automated manufacturing cells to
Using IPC software for Equator
gauge to connect to a variety of configure communications between
gauges, inspection data is used
equipment in an automated cell with Equator systems and the cell
to make automatic correction to
up to 32 digital IO connections. controller.
machine tool offsets.

EquatorTM gauging Automatic Transfer

systems System (ATS)
Operate in a lights-out cell with The Equator ATS allows parts to
confidence. Load and unload when be automatically transferred in and
needed, automatically apply machine out, using prompts in the gauging
tool updates and have access to instantly program software.
visible results, all at machine-side.

www.renishaw.com/equator 5
Equator gauging systems family
TM

The Equator gauging family includes four

highly repeatable, thermally insensitive and
programmable inspection devices.
Both the Equator 300 gauge and Equator 500 gauge are available in standard or
extended heights. With an exceptional footprint-to-measuring-volume ratio, and ±2 µm
uncertainty over a 5 °C - 50 °C temperature range, the Equator gauging family is
perfectly suited to inspecting parts right where they are produced; on the shop floor.

Equator 300 Equator 300

• Working volume XY: Ø 300 mm, Z: 150 mm Extended Height
• Comparison uncertainty: ±2 µm • Working volume raised by 150 mm (Z),
• Operating temperature: +5 °C to +50 °C XY: Ø 300 mm, Z: 300 mm
• Maximum workpiece weight: 25 kg • Allows for better access for mechanical
loading systems.
• Extended working volume in Z with
use of module changing

6 EquatorTM gauging systems

Equator 500 Equator 500
• Working volume XY: Ø 500 mm, Z: 250 mm Extended Height
• Comparison uncertainty: ±2 µm • Working volume raised by 150 mm (Z),
• Operating temperature: +5 °C to +50 °C XY: Ø 500 mm, Z: 400 mm
• Maximum workpiece weight: 100 kg • Allows for better access for mechanical
loading systems.
• Extended working volume in Z with
module changing

www.renishaw.com/equator 7
Equator gauging systems components
TM

EQR-6 stylus SP25 probe kit Equator controller

changing rack Equator scanning systems The Equator Controller is a
are supplied with the industry versatile machine controller
The Equator gauge is supplied
standard SP25 3-axis analogue capable of driving the Equator
with an EQR-6 auto change
scanning probe. gauge at high speed and with
rack facilitating up to six tools
high repeatability.
which automatically change
retaining full repeatability.

Fixture plates Stop button Equator button

The Equator and Equator and joystick interface
Extended height gauging
The stop button is an The Equator button interface,
systems include either M8,
alternative configuration when with simple push-button
M6 or 1/4”-20 plates based
a joystick is not required. It is controls for the shop floor
on customer requirements.
easily attached to the front of operators, removes the need
Additional fixture plates for
the Equator gauge. The joystick for a mouse and keyboard.
different parts, mastering or
is used to move the probe in
calibration can be ordered
x, y and z when the Equator
as accessories.
gauge is in manual mode.

8 EquatorTM gauging systems

Accessories

Enclosures Automated transfer

The Equator enclosure systems
provides a self-contained Available for the Equator 300 and Equator
gauging station with 500 gauging systems, the Equator automatic
an optimised footprint, transfer system (EQ-ATS) increases
configurable to individual accessibility for loading parts. Using the
customer requirements. EQ-ATS, parts are automatically transferred
in and out of the gauge.

Equator gauge Modular fixturing kits

checking kit The modular fixturing range for the Equator
gauge offers specifically designed grid fixture
The Equator Gauge Checker
plates with a repeatable and secure 3-point
can be used to validate that
kinematic system for quick part loading and
the system is working to its
unloading.
manufactured specification.
Equator Gauge Checkers
are easy to integrate into
maintenance schedules and
enable a quick health-check
to be performed.

Styli kits Fixture plate

Styli kits contain styli most spacers
commonly used by Equator
Available for both
gauge users and are
Equator 300 and
available in three
500 gauging systems,
versions, with each
the fixture plate spacer
one designed
raises the kinematic
to offer a storage
location of the fixture plate
solution for up to six
– ideal if gauging shallow parts
assembled stylus tools.
or using short styli.

www.renishaw.com/equator 9
Software
Organiser™ shop floor operator software Organiser software is the
perfect way to run Equator
• Intuitive software featuring image-driven program selection, gauge on the shop floor, it is so
execution and data reporting simple and useful. The operators
• Parts identified by images, part numbers or bar code scanner are able to choose programs
• Remaining inspection time and Pass or Fail outcome displayed and start checking the parts in
a few seconds.
• Process Monitor tracks run performance indicating process drift
Eponsa (Spain)

MODUS™ metrology software

• Rapidly create gauging routines for a wide
range of parts
• Easily program scanning or touch measurements
on the Equator gauge
• CAD-driven offline programming, supporting IGES,
STEP, Parasolid® & VDA-FS formats
• Integration with CATIA® (v4 & v5), Siemens® NX™,
Pro/E® and Solidworks® CAD/CAM solutions
• Native DMIS support
• Powerful text and graphical reporting
• Flexible data output, including certified Q-DAS

When we installed the Equator gauge,

we were able to measure all the features,
including diameter, in the production cell
and it was no longer necessary to take
parts to the quality room.

Tremec (Mexico)

10 EquatorTM gauging systems

Process control with gauging
from Renishaw
Turnkey applications
Our skilled application engineers are able to deliver the exact gauging solution for your
requirements, including turnkey applications providing fixturing, part programs and
gauge repeatability, and reproducibility (GR&R) studies.
Our applications engineers can also identify and help to implement solutions tailored to
individual needs:

Loading Monitoring Controlling Reporting

Manually loaded Process monitoring Process control Custom signals

systems or highlighting critical using our IPC and output reports
automated cells features software

Service
Renishaw have developed an excellent reputation for offering strong support
to our customers through a network of over 70 wholly-owned service and
support offices in 35 countries.

Technical Support and Training Spares and

assistance upgrades accessories

We supply technical We provide a variety We offer standard Buy spares and

assistance to all our of support agreements and bespoke training accessories online
global customers tailored to your courses to meet your or obtain quotes
individual needs requirements from your local
Renishaw office

www.renishaw.com/equator 11
A history of innovation
Renishaw is an established world leader in engineering technologies with a strong history
of innovation in product development and manufacturing. Our metrology leadership and our
reputation for engineering excellence have put us at the forefront of our markets since 1973.
We design, develop, and deliver solutions and leading-edge products that help manufacturers
maximise production output, significantly reduce the time taken to produce and inspect
components, and keep their machines running reliably.
A worldwide network of subsidiary companies and distributors provides exceptional service
and support for our customers.

Our smart manufacturing solutions

• Probing and measurement systems for automated machining
• Machine diagnostics and preventative maintenance
• 3D scanning on machine tools
• Styli, metrology fixtures, racks and accessories

www.renishaw.com/equator #renishaw

+44 (0) 1453 524524 [email protected]

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Registered office: New Mills, Wotton-under-Edge, Glos, GL12 8JR, UK.
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