Recommended Stylus Limits - Renishaw TP20 User Manual

Table of Contents

TP20 user's guide

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Stylus selection

NOTE: Choosing the best stylus for a given application is an important factor in achieving optimum probe performance. For further

information on the full range of Renishaw styli, please refer to Renishaw's styli and accessories brochure (H 1000-3200) which can

be ordered from your supplier or downloaded from Renishaw's web site, www.renishaw.com.

When selecting a stylus, it is important that the stylus length is kept to the minimum required to access all features to be measured, and that

the stylus type offers the maximum possible stiffness. Factors that affect stiffness are:

Joints in the styli that tend to reduce rigidity and should therefore be kept to the absolute minimum

Stem diameters that are governed by the ball tip diameter of the stylus

Stem material that can be stainless steel, ceramic or graphite fibre (GF)

It is also important to ensure that the stylus ball diameter chosen is as large as is practical. This not only ensures that the stylus will be as stiff

as possible, but also reduces the stylus's susceptibility to surface form and surface finish.

Owing to the modular construction of the TP20, when selecting and using styli the following criteria should be applied:

Work only within the recommended stylus limits for each probe module (refer to Recommended stylus limits)

Always use the shortest possible stylus

If using larger styli than those recommended for use with each probe module, always conduct trials to establish the effect on measuring

performance

Minimise the mass of styli by using either ceramic or graphite fibre (GF) stems