Legex - the ultimate ultra-high accuracy coordinate measuring machine in the world. Produced by combining Mitutoyo’s long experience in the field of high-precision metrology and machining with state of the art technologies in design, electronics, computing, sensors and materials.
Base Design
High Rigidity
The base of the Legex is made from special spheroidal graphite ductile cast iron to a sealed-structure design that provides high rigidity and vibration attenuating characteristics. Mitutoyo engineers used FEM analysis during the design phase to optimize the final configuration and ensure outstanding geometric accuracy by minimizing deformations caused by normal machine operation.
Note: Spheroidal graphite ductile cast iron or regular cast iron (gray iron) is a ferroalloy that includes carbon, silicon, manganese, phosphorus, and sulfur, in which the carbon is precipitated as flakes in the ferrite or pearlite material, whereas ductile cast iron is made by adding magnesium and other elements which precipitates the carbon in spherical form instead and results in an ideal material for making castings free of cavities and pin holes (defects) of .004" (0.1mm) and larger."Ductile cast iron has high hardness, close to that of steel, as well as excellent ductility, toughness, and wear-resistance characteristics, making it the material of choice for critical machine components.
Integrated Y-Axis Guide Rail
The ceramic-plasma coated Y-axis guide rail is cast as an integral part of the base to improve rigidity and thermal stability. This design feature practically eliminates distortion due to changing machine temperatures.
Attenuation Characteristics
The Legex quickly attenuates traverse-induced vibrations and so reduces any adverse effect on measurements. This characteristic also allows ultra-high scanning accuracy to be realized.
Worktable
The standard worktable is hand-flake finished but an easy maintenance, ceramic-coated worktable is available as an option.
Dynamic Accuracy
X and Y-axis independence and a 'center of gravity' type drive system
The fixed-bridge design of the Legex allows the axes to operate totally independently. Movement of the X-axis slide does not change the loading on the Y-axis slide, and so does not cause deformation. Also, the 'center of gravity' type drive system places the drive units near the center of gravity of each slide. This feature allows very high speed, highly accurate measurements by reducing inertia-induced deflections during acceleration and deceleration.
Construction
Pitch and yaw errors eliminated
The Legex uses a fixed-bridge type structure. This is the ideal CMM architecture and virtually eliminates pitch and yaw errors. Most other CMMs use a moving-bridge design with a single drive unit under the column, which tends to cause yawing and pitching during slide movements.
Vibration Control
The Legex is hardened against floor induced vibration by use of 'air-damped spring isolators' with an auto-leveling function. This virtually eliminates factory floor vibrations from the entire machine structure.
Floating mechanism reduces internal vibration
To reduce the effects of internally generated vibration, the Legex uses a special floating mechanism to couple each ballscrew to its guide block. This isolates the slide from the servo motor as it turns the ballscrew and thus prevents transmission of motor vibrations, especially during acceleration and deceleration.
Temperature Compensation
Effective over the 64.4°F to 71.6°F (18°C to 22°C) temperature range
While conventional very high accuracy CMMs require fairly strict temperature controlled environments, the Legex has been designed to improve the thermal stability of each component to minimize deformation. In addition, temperature sensors on each axis and for the workpiece itself detect temperature changes in real time and are used to compensate back to 68°F (20°C).
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