Each ELCOMAT® direct N consists of the autocollimation sensor and the software ELCOdirect. ELCOdirect can be used with Microsoft® Windows and a current PC, laptop or notebook. The autocollimation sensor is connected to the computer via the USB interface. A Microsoft® Windows Dynamic Link Library (DLL), autocollimation function, is included with the software ELCOdirect.
The ELCOMAT® direct N is primarily intended for use in optical manufacturing. It is particularly suitable for the following measuring tasks:
• measurement of small angles
• high precision angle adjustment and calibration
• assembly automation
• wedge and prism angle measurement
• angular position monitoring
Please also use the technical overview table for all ELCOMAT® instruments to select the most suitable ELCOMAT® N product for your measuring task.
Measuring Principle
The adjacent diagram shows the measuring principle of an ELCOMAT® direct N. First, the image of the reticle is imaged through the lens into infinity (collimated light beam). This means that the light beam is parallel to the optical axis. If the light beam is reflected by a plane mirror with a very high surface quality (< λ/10), the lens images the reticle image on the CCD sensor. The mirror tilt can be determined directly from the deviation of the reflected reticle image from the optical axis of the ELCOMAT® direct N system.
Measuring Range and Distance
The measuring range of each autocollimator remains constant up to a certain distance between the autocollimator and the reflector and then decreases with increasing measuring distance due to vignetting.