KAWASAKI, JAPAN and PRINCETON, NJ USA – Following the establishment of a technology and product-centric alliance between Mitutoyo Corporation of Japan and TAG Optics Inc., Mitutoyo Corporation announces that it has closed the sale of an equity round in which it acquired a majority stake of TAG Optics’ shares. TAG Optics is the developer of the world’s fastest variable focusing lenses. Originally announced in February, the framework agreement between the two companies has, among other on-going joint technological projects, lead to the development of a new TAG Lens with the ability to be mass produced by Mitutoyo.

This relationship further solidifies the partnership between the two companies and enables TAG Optics to contribute to Mitutoyo’s business from a technological perspective, while continuing to enter new markets in biological, inspection, biometric and machine vision applications. The company plans to focus developmental efforts on creating a new line of imaging systems based on its ground-breaking technology, which has the ability to be customized for the end user.

TAG Optics’ latest products will be on display at the Technology and Innovation Center in Mitutoyo America Corporation’s booth (E-5215) during the International Manufacturing & Technology Show (IMTS) at McCormick Place in Chicago, taking place September 12-17. Specifically, IMTS attendees will get the chance to experience a prototype TAG-Enabled Inspection Microscope based on Mitutoyo’s popular Video Microscope Unit (VMU), in addition to a high-speed Z-inspection system for part inspection and analysis

Mitutoyo America has released the new RA-1600M Roundness Tester as an addition to its line of Roundness Measurement Instruments. The RA-1600M is a PC-based Roundness and Cylindrical-Form measuring system with numerous analysis features including perpendicularity, coaxiality and concentricity, allowing inspection of a wide variety of manufactured parts. The system has top-end precision and a high rotational accuracy of (0.03+6H/10000)µm not commonly found in entry and mid-range models. Offered at a very competitive price, this instrument will provide value and performance to any quality lab or in-line production inspection area.

Additional features include; mechanical micrometer heads on the alignment table for quick and easy centering and leveling of workpieces, an optional sliding detector-unit holder for larger diameter parts and a collision prevention feature in the detector which recognizes accidental stylus touches and stops the system to avoid a contact error that could result in downtime and repair costs.

The RA-1600M utilizes Mitutoyo’s ROUNDPAK data analysis. ROUNDPAK supports easy to create part programing and can generate reports in a variety of customizable formats. The software evaluates a wide variety of parameters and conforms to current ISO/JIS standards. A variety of optional product accessories are available to ensure best fit and performance for inspection applications.

Mitutoyo America announces the addition of new CV-2100N4 and M4 Contracers to their line of Form Measurement Instruments. These new models replace the already successful CV-1000N2/2000M4 models. The new CV-2100N4/M4 models have been redesigned to offer improved operability and functionality to revolutionize contour measuring systems allowing measurement that is quick, simple and accurate.

The operation keypad has been relocated to the drive unit to improve set-up time and speed up high-volume repetitive measurement processes. Operations that are required for every measurement cycle such as stylus position change, measurement start/stop and return are easily accessible, reducing the workload of operators and increasing measurement efficiency.

The new CV-2100M4 has a redesigned quick-vertical motion stand allowing operators to quickly and easily move the drive unit to and from the measurement height. This stand is equipped with reference stops for quick repositioning to the measurement height, ensuring efficient measurement flow. A jog shuttle control for variable speed horizontal movement of the drive unit is now a standard feature, allowing it to be easily moved into the measurement position. The CV-2100N4 is a detector unit only model designed for custom integration or for use with optional manual column stand.

The CV-2100N4/M4 detector unit (Z1 axis) is equipped with a highly accurate arc scale. This scale directly traces the arc trajectory of the stylus tip so that the most accurate compensation can be applied to the scale output, leading to higher accuracy and resolution. This highly accurate digital arc scale not only improves measurement accuracy, but also increases the measurement range of the detector to 50mm.

The CV-2100N4/M4 Contracers are released with Mitutoyo’s recently released contour analysis software, FORMTRACEPAK 5.4. This software provides comprehensive measurement analysis and system control and includes; surface roughness analysis, contour analysis, contour tolerancing, and inspection report creation. A wide variety of optional product accessories are available to ensure best fit and performance for any Form inspection application.

Mitutoyo America Corporation is pleased to announce the new STRATO-Apex574 Coordinate Measuring Machine to its STRATO-Apex line of CMMs. This new configuration offers a more compact footprint while still offering the same state-of-the-art blend of high-speed operation and highly accurate measurement.

The STRATO-Apex574 is a compact bridge-type design featuring accuracy as low as 0.7µm. It utilizes a 0.05µm resolution scale and temperature range of 18 to 22 C° (64.4 to 71.6 F°). This CMM is ideal for manufacturers who produce high precision small parts for industries such a medical, precision mold, and aerospace that require a smaller footprint for CMM inspection.

The STRATO-Apex line offers high speed and accuracy in measurement that is ensured by a specially designed machine body that has improved rigidity of the structure, a precision guide mechanism, ultra-high precision crystallized glass scales with near-zero thermal expansion and the incorporation of newly developed compensation technology. A standard vibration-dampening unit is included as a standard accessory to round out this CMMs advanced capabilities.

The STRATO-Apex line features dual joysticks, air balanced Z-axis ram, precision air bearings on all axes, a USB, fully digital DC 32 bit Mitutoyo CNC CMM Digital Signal Processor controller with a PH10MQ quill mounted probe head featuring internal wiring. A wide range of inspections solutions including scanning probe, non-contact laser scanning, video, and surface roughness inspection can be added to ensure versatility that will satisfy almost any inspection need.