Mahr Federal recently introduced a new version of its successful MMQ 400 series. The new MarForm MMQ 400-2 integrates a new controller which dramatically increases the speed and resolution of the machine, and allows it to measure surface finish characteristics according to accepted ISO, ASME, and JIS standards. "Traditionally, form measurement machines are designed to measure longer wavelengths, allowing 5-10 microns between data points," said Pat Nugent, vice president of metrology for Mahr Federal. "But the increased speed and resolution of the new MMQ 400-2 controller has been specifically designed with surface roughness in mind. It can sample data with spacing as tight as 0.005 microns, far exceeding accepted international standards for roughness measurement."

As a result, Nugent added, operators will benefit from reduced set-up and measurement cycle time using the MMQ 400-2, and reduce costs by needing only a single piece of equipment for both form and surface measurements. The MarForm MMQ 400-2 Formtester was a ground up redesign which delivers a machine that is more robust, less sensitive to environmental influences, faster, more flexible and more accurate than comparable systems. The MMQ 400-2 offers an array of features, including solid construction with a generously dimensioned, reinforced steel base. High-precision mechanical bearings for the rotary table eliminate the need for an air supply, and all motors and electronic components have been thermally isolated to enhance stability. Wherever possible, homogeneous materials have been used in construction to minimize the effects of thermal expansion.

Fully controlled by either Mahr's newest EasyForm Version 4 or AdvancedForm Version 4 software, the MMQ 400-2 is easy to use and can evaluate all standard form parameters, including roundness, sector roundness, run-out, sector run-out, concentricity and coaxiality, total run-out, cylindricity, straightness, section-by-section straightness, parallelism, perpendicularity, angularity, flatness, conicity and taper. The system has been designed to measure a wide variety of workpieces, including injection components, ABS components, valves, pistons and piston rods, brake disks, gear shafts, ball-bearings, and many more.

The skidded probe roughness package for the MMQ 400-2 utilizes the same diamond tipped PHT stylus as is used on Mahr Federal's popular PS1 and M300 surface finish machines, and the same MarWin-based surface finish software as the MarSurf XR 20. The stylus is mounted opposite the ruby tipped form probe on the MMQ 400-2's motorized T7W probe head. The MMQ 400-2 automatically swivels the probe to apply the diamond stylus, and changes from horizontal to vertical measurement as needed, utilizing standard surface finish parameter cut-off lengths. A skidless probe measuring option is also available utilizing diamond tipped styli that are directly mounted to the T7W probe head.

Several versions of the MMQ 400-2 Formtester are available. Options include: manual or motorized center and tilt tables; vertical Z-axis length of 350 mm, 500 mm, or 900 mm for long shafts; and horizontal X-axis of 180 mm or 280 mm. All measuring axes are fully motorized. A selection of available probes-including the T7W 360 degrees motorized bi-directional probe and the manual T20W probe-further enhances measuring flexibility.