The Renishaw Equator flexible gauge is now offered with the new INTUOTM gauging software, combined with a range of industry standard Renishaw probes. INTUO simplifies and automates the gauging of a wide variety of parts, removing dependence on the skill of manual gauge users. Reducing gauging inconsistency reduces scrap, whilst ensuring parts that are out of tolerance are always identified.

Renishaw is also launching the Equator Button Interface (EBI), with simple push-button controls for shop-floor operators, removing the need for a mouse and keyboard.

INTUO with Equator is an ideal alternative to multiple manual devices such as vernier or digital callipers, micrometres and plug gauges. Equator is highly repeatable and runs fast automated routines, meaning significantly reduced labor costs. With many workshops using hundreds of manual gauges this cost saving can be considerable.

INTUO, with minimal training, uses intelligent functions to help the engineer set up gauging of parts in a matter of minutes. Shop-floor operators then select and run those programs using the user-friendly Renishaw Organizer front-end software.

INTUO allows the programmer to create gauging routines using just a part with an engineering drawing. With the Feature Predict function activated, the programmer uses the joystick to take points on each feature while INTUO does most of the work, by predicting the type of feature, the nominal value and a possible tolerance band. It is then easy to adjust the program to change the number of points taken or to space them evenly, and match nominals and tolerances to the engineering drawing.

It is a simple task to input the actual values for features on the master part, which does not need to be a ‘perfect part’. In fact it is preferable that a production part manufactured with the same method and material is used. First the features required are measured on a certified device, like a calibrated manual gauge or any co-ordinate measuring machine (CMM). The values from this master part inspection report can be manually added to a table in Organizer or to the corresponding field in INTUO – changing one will update the other.

Renishaw
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