Dynamic mode of line scale calibration

Abstract

The need for high-resolution and high-speed detection of line scale graduations is a result of increasing throughput requirements of precision scale calibration systems. These new demanding requirements can be met by exploiting the advantages of the dynamic mode of calibration. The state-of-the-art platform-based approach to improving calibration systems performance will allow both functional extension to already deployed systems and the design of new ones, capable of adapting to different application patterns and user profiles. An interferometer-controlled comparator setup has been designed to measure the performance of the dynamic calibration process. A novel 3D finite element model has been developed in order to both investigate thermo-mechanical processes in the comparator structure and evaluate possible temperature influence on geometrical dimensions of the line scale. A series of measurements has been conducted at PTB and MIKES length calibration laboratories in order to evaluate the capabilities of the dynamic calibration of graduated line scales.