The straightness subprogram

Safety notes
The equipment described in this document should be used only in industrial environments for
straightness measurements. Care must be taken to ensure that the parts must not be subjected to
mechanical knocks. Laser beam safety precautions must be followed.

Introduction menu
The first screen shows when straightness started is the introduction menu

Press ‘Enter’ to resume task, or press ‘*’ to start new task.

Straightness measurement
The laser alignment system used visible laser beam to measure the straightness of linear objects.
The laser transmitter (transducer that emits laser beam) is mounted at one end of the object and then
aimed in the receiver. Both the transmitter and the receiver are adjusted to ensure receiver detects the
laser. The receiver is moved along the object, and any changes of the laser beam position in the receiver
gives a measure of straightness. The laser beam is not intended to be the absolute reference. The setup
should be such that the laser beam always strikes the detector throughout the entire length being
measured.

Setup screen
The setup screen is the main screen of straightness subprogram.
Splice number
You should define overlap
points quantity when
splice number >1

Set measurement points number

To set measurement points number press ‘1’ and enter desired value.

Set dimensions
To set dimensions press ‘2’ to select between all distances equal or different distances for each
segment. Then sequentially define distances by pressing ‘*’ and entering desired value.
When distances defined splice concept(see splice concept) should be followed if splice usage planned.

Define splice
When splices planned to be used the splice should be defined. Press ‘3’ and then enter splice
number(the first splice is number 1). Else leave splice ‘none’.

Switch between manual data and data from detector

Press ‘8’ to switch between manual entered data and data collected from detector

Laser beam adjustment principle

Before measurement can begin the laser must be positioned such that the beam strikes the
approximate center of the receiver’s detector over the entire measurement path(whole splice or whole
object).

Adjustment procedure
Place the receiver at the closest(to transmitter) measurement position. Adjust beam position to center
the beam onto the detector. With the receiver at the far end of the measurement path, adjust the
horizontal and vertical angle of the beam to center onto the detector. Repeat above steps as necessary
until the beam remains centered on the detector in both the near and far positions.

Carrying measurements
To switch to data collect screen press ‘START’
Place the receiver at the closest measurement position for object(or splice)
Use “UP or ‘DOWN’ (if necessary) to select the corresponding point number.

Splice number. In splice point

if no splices then 0 index

Point
number If showed means
overlap point

Shows stored values when not in

live move mode, when in live move
mode shows difference between
desired and real object position

Shows actual Shows actual tilt

values from the from the
transducer transducer
Observe measurement results
To enter to results screen when you stands in data collect screen press ‘MENU’
Measurement results screen appears

When reference points not selected and best fit mode

not choose measurement results is the plane stored
values

Reference points. ‘-‘ means not defined

Press ‘4’ to enter the reference points, press ‘6’ to
switch to the best fit mode

To select reference points press ‘4’ and then enter points numbers sequentially(set value and press
enter for each of points) .
Note: overlap point should not be selected as reference! To deselect reference points enter 255 value
for both points

To switch between reference points/best fit plane mode press ‘6’

When reference points is selected or best fit mode is a

choice measurement results is the difference between
‘ideal’ straight line(desired values) and the real object
position

‘- -‘ means overlap point(appears if splices defined)

this point and its distance is excluded from the results
calculations

The choice is the best fit mode

Press ‘6’ to change mode

Splice concept
Splices in straightness are partial overlapped parts of whole length of measured object.
Measurement divides by splices for the extension of the total length that can be measured, where
object length exceeds maximum allowed distance between transducers.

To start new task with splices

Press ‘*’;
Enter number of points and then define first splice(enter number 1 for ‘Splice’);
You should do it before starting measurement.
After you store measurements for all the points belonging to the current splice, you can switch to the
next splice.
To do it: while first point of next splice selected press “MENU” to return to the straightness main
screen and increase splice number by one. If splice number is not 1 you should define number of
overlapped points too. Number of overlapped points should not be less than 2. You should sequentially
increase splice numbers, gaps between numbers not allowed.
NOTE: distance between overlapping points must be equal to distances between points that overlaps
see overlapping example below

table s.1 Overlapping example

Overlapping example by table(2 First 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

overlapping points, overlapped transmitter
segment designated by yellow back position
color)
Absolute point number

Relative to splice point number in X 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4
format splice.point

Splice 1 Splice 2

Distances 1-2 2-3 3-4 4-5 5-6 7-8 8-9

Next splice transmitter X

position(transmitter should be
moved to here)

Distances equality rule: 5-6 equal to 3-4, 7-8 equal to 4-5

Step by step instruction to start measure new splice.

Enter to collect data screen. Select(if required) the first point of new splice(in example this is a point 6).
Move receiver to it’s position.
Remember X,Y values.
Move transmitter from its current position to position, where point of last splice point minus
overlapped points number minus 1 located. In example this is a place of point 3.
Do not touch receiver! Adjust transmitter so that X,Y values on receiver became almost equal to the
X,Y values indicated before the transmitter has been moved.
Move receiver to the closest overlapped point to the transmitter point(exact position) (in example this
is a point 4). Fine tune transmitter’s position so that receiver’s X,Y values became almost equal to
receiver’s X,Y values in that point, when receiver has been placed at the very first point of previous
splice(in example the “first transmitter position”). Repeat adjustment procedure if needed.
Move receiver to the closest overlapped point at the exactly point position(in example point 4).
Repeat measurements for the all overlapped points. Than perform measurements for non-overlapped
points of the next splice(in example there are points 8-9).

The Live move mode

After all measurements has been carried and results calculated, it may be necessary to make corrections
in the “live” mode. The device’s live mode make it possible to monitor these corrections .
Before switch to the live mode reference points or best fit result mode should be selected.

If you move transmitter from it’s last position, two point adjustment procedure should be
performed(see adjustment procedure).
Place receiver at point where you intend to make corrections. Press ‘4’ to enter live mode.
String “LIVE STOP” appears at screen’s top right side. When you ready to move press ‘START” to enable
live move detection. The “LIVE LIVE” start blinking at top right side of screen.
The V and H values at screen’s center now shows difference between desired and real object positions.
Move object toward zero of each of these values. To stop live correction press “START” again “LIVE
STOP” appears at screen’s top right side

Live move mode is ON