The XL-80 laser produces an extremely stable laser beam, with a wavelength that is traceable back to national and international standards.

• Laser frequency stability  ±0.05 ppm over 1 year and ±0.02 ppm over 1 hour is achieved by dynamic thermal control of the laser tube length to within a few nanometres.
• Linear measurement accuracy  ±0.5 ppm over the whole environmental range ie, from 0 ºC - 40 ºC (32 ºF - 104 ºF) and 650 mbar - 1150 mbar. Readings can be taken at up to 50 kHz, with a maximum linear measurement speed of 4 m/s and a linear resolution of 1 nm; even at maximum speed.
• Integrated USB means there is no requirement for a separate laser-to-PC interface.
• LED status lights indicate the laser status and signal strength, providing a convenient alternative to the software’s “on-screen” indicators.
• Switchable between standard (40 m) and long (80 m) range modes.
• Analogue I/O port allows for analogue signal output ａnd a trigger signal input.
• Warm-up time is less than 6 minutes.
• External, switch mode power supply ensures 90 V - 264 V flexibility in input voltage.

All of the above features make the XL-80 quick and easy to use.

In accordance with (IEC) EN60825-1, Renishaw XL-80 lasers are Class 2 lasers and safety goggles are not required. Always refer to the system manual for safety details before operating the system for the first time.

The XC-80 compensator is a crucial factor in your XL system’s linear measurement accuracy. Featuring “intelligent sensors” that process the readings at source, the compensator very accurately measures air temperature, air pressure and relative humidity. Changes in these conditions can effect the wavelength of the laser light and the measurement readings taken.

The XC-80 uses the sensor readings to modify the nominal value of the laser wavelength to give a true value, which is then used in calculations to virtually eliminate any measurement errors resulting from these variations.

If you are interested in accuracy you NEED effective wavelength compensation.

Key features of XC-80 include:

• Uniform compensation - The design of the XC-80 and sensors ensures uniform and extremely accurate readings over the full range of environmental operating conditions.
• Frequent sensor updates - This can be done automatically every seven seconds, as indicated by LED status lights on the XC-80 unit.
• Integrated USB - The inetgral USB connection means there is no separate PC interface ａnd no separate power supply (the USB supplies the XC-80 and sensors' power).
• Lightweight -  The XC-80 weighs 550 g, and together with the XL-80, weighs just over 3 kg (including connecting cables, XL power supply and sensors).
• Intelligent air and material temperature sensors - The integral microprocessors analyse and process the sensor's output before sending digital temperature values to the XC-80 compensator. This offers more secure measurements and is a key reason why the XC-80 is so compact and also ensures sensors are fully interchangeable without comprimising accuracy.
• Up to three material temperature sensors can also be attached to the XC-80 compensator to allow linear measurements to be normalised to a standard material temperature of 20 °C.
• Versatile sensor cables - The standard 5 m long sensor cables are detachable for easy replacement and can be screwed together for extended lengths on longer machines.

Note: Environmental compensation is NOT required for angular or straightness measurements when using a Renishaw system as these are calculated from differences in two beam paths close together, where the environmental factors self cancel. As rotary axis, flatness and squareness measurements are also based on these measurements they also do not require environmental compensation.

Unless you are using a dedicated measurement rig, then you are likely to need a mounting stage (ａnd in most cases a tripod) to adjust the laser’s position relative to the desired measurement axis.

• The XL mounting stage allows for precise angular rotation and translation of the XL-80.  It is designed to be left attached to the laser unit for easy storage and quick set-up.
• A "quick fit/release" mechanism enables rapid and secure fixing to a tripod.  For those applications where tripod mounting is not convenient, e.g. for mounting directly on a machine tool table, the stage and laser can also be mounted on to most standard magnetic bases, using an optional adapter with M8 thread.
• The new Universal tripod has been extensively tested to provide a stable, adjustable base in a compact, lightweight unit.

All of Renishaw's experience in metrology and laser interferometry is to be found in each and every measurement system that it produces. Our aim is to deliver the specified accuracy, with full traceability and confidence that the laser system will continuously deliver that accuracy day-after-day where it counts, in the workplace.

All lasers and ballbars are calibrated at the Renishaw factory against reference systems with traceability to national standards.

Performance specifications are verified to international procedures against a documented system error budget, with system accuracy quoted to 95% confidence level (k = 2), which is valid across the full environmental operating range.

Without reliable and accurate wavelength compensation, errors of 20 ppm - 30 ppm would be common. Great effort has been taken to ensure Renishaw’s XC-80 compensation system and sensors are accurate across the entire operating range of the system. It is this that maintains ±0.5 ppm linear measurement accuracy from 0 ºC - 40 ºC (32 ºF - 104 ºF) and over the full air pressure range.

 * Choose one of 12 pre-defined capture rates.

Renishaw measurement optics enable you to measure linear, pitch, yaw, horizontal and vertical straightness along any axis. Additional optic kits are available to enable measurement of surface flatness and squareness of axis.

The same optics can be used with XL-80 or ML10 systems, ensuring consistency of measurement set-ups and procedures. All measurements are interferometric and therefore use the traceable international standard wavelength of laser light, allowing you to have total confidence in the results.

For rotary axis calibration, please see RX10 rotary axis calibration section and for other optical accessories to assist in set-up and measurement, please see the optics accessories section.

Interchangeable - The unique design of linear, angular and straightness optics enables easy interchange for different measurements, without having to re-align the laser.

Convenient - Moving optics have no cables to drag or snag, for best accuracy and convenience.

Low mass aluminium optics - The optics are manufactured in aluminium, therefore the optics' low mass is especially relevant if measuring pitch errors on horizontal arm CMMs and for dynamic measurements.

Quick acclimatisation - Some competitor systems use stainless steel optic housings. These are much heavier than Renishaw's aluminium optics and have a lower thermal conductivity, therefore taking longer to acclimatise to the shop environment.

Linear measurement is by far the most common form of measurement performed on a machine.

Each linear measurement optics kit contains:

• 1 linear interferometer
• 2 linear retroreflectors and clamp screws
• 2 alignment targets

Specification

For linear measurements over 40 m you will require the long range linear accessory kit

These optics allow angular pitch and yaw measurements to be made. Can measure maximum angular deflections of up to ±10° with resolution of 0.01 arc sec.

Each angular measurement kit contains:

• 1 angular retroreflector
• 1 angular interferometer
• 2 alignment targets

Specification

Where:
% = percentage of displayed value
M = measurement distance in metres
F = measurement distance in feet

* 0.2% accuracy available by special order

This optics combination kit is a cost saving alternative for users who wish to perform both linear and angular measurements.

Each combination kit contains:

• 1 linear retroreflector and clamp screws
• 1 angular retroreflector
• 1 angular interferometer
• 3 alignment targets

These optics allow the measurement of horizontal straightness error in linear axes up to 4 m in length to be made. They also enable axis parallelism to be measured.

Each short range straightness kit contains:

• 1 straightness interferometer
• 1 straightness reflector

Specification

Where:
% = percentage of displayed value
M = measuring distance in metres
F = measuring distance in feet

May require Universal (straightness) shutter or straightness accessory kit, depending upon application (see optics accessories section)

These optics can be used to measure the horizontal straightness error in linear axes from 1 m up to 30 m in length when using the XL-80 laser system. They also enable measurement for parallelism of axes.

Each long range straightness kit contains:

• 1 straightness interferometer
• 1 straightness retroreflector
• 2 alignment targets

Specification

Where:
% = percentage of displayed value
M = measuring distance in metres
F = measuring distance in feet

* subject to environmental conditions

May require Universal (straightness) shutter or straightness accessory kit, depending upon application (see optics accessories section)

These optics determine the out-of-squareness of two nominally orthogonal axes, by comparing their straightness slope values which are referenced via the optical square.

Note:
A straightness measurement optics kit  and straightness accessory kit are also required to perform squareness measurements.

Each squareness measurement optics kit contains:

• 1 optical square and clamp screws
• 1 bracket (for adjustable turning mirror)

Specification

Where:
M = measurement distance in metres
F = measurement distance in feet

The flatness mirrors not only rotate horizontally, but also tilt to allow horizontal and vertical adjustment of the laser beam.

Note:
Angular optics are also required to perform flatness measurements.

Each flatness measurement kit contains:

• 2 flatness mirrors
• 1 50 mm flatness base
• 1 100 mm flatness base
• 1 150 mm flatness base

Specification

Where:
% = percentage of calculated flatness
M = length of diagonal in metres
F = length of diagonal in feet