SpheroCompact

User Manual
Rev: 1.0 as of April 29, 2010

The information in this document is subject to change without notice.

2010 TRIOPTICS GmbH, Germany
OPERATION MANUAL

Table of Contents
1 UNPACKING and HANDLING.............................................................. - 4 -
2 INSTALLATION .................................................................................... - 7 -
2.1. MOUNTING and REMOVING of CALIBRATION RINGS ..................... - 8 -
3 OPERATION ........................................................................................ - 9 -
3.1. General Rules....................................................................................... - 9 -
3.1.1 Super-Spherotronic/Spherocompact HR .............................................. - 9 -
3.2. Principle of measurement................................................................... - 10 -
3.3. Automatic Radius Calculation............................................................. - 11 -
4 Software ............................................................................................. - 12 -
4.1. Options ............................................................................................... - 12 -
4.1.2 Ring .................................................................................................... - 12 -
4.1.3 Port Settings ....................................................................................... - 12 -
4.1.4 Units ................................................................................................... - 12 -
4.1.5 Certificate Data................................................................................... - 12 -
4.1.6 Tolerance Selection............................................................................ - 13 -
4.1.7 Wavelength Selection......................................................................... - 13 -
4.1.8 Select Language................................................................................. - 13 -
4.2. Program of Measurment ..................................................................... - 13 -
4.2.9 LENSES ............................................................................................. - 13 -
4.2.10 TEST PLATES WITH ZERO SETTING.............................................. - 13 -
4.2.11 TEST PLATES WITHOUT ZERO SETTING ...................................... - 13 -
5 Measuring Procedure ......................................................................... - 14 -
6 MAINTENANCE.................................................................................. - 17 -
6.1. Care of plano test plates..................................................................... - 17 -
6.2. Cleaning of plano test plates .............................................................. - 17 -
6.3. Cleaning of Mainframe and Calibration rings...................................... - 17 -
7 WARRANTY ....................................................................................... - 19 -
8 SPECIFICATION ................................................................................ - 20 -
8.1. Measuring Range ............................................................................... - 20 -
8.2. Measuring Accuracy ........................................................................... - 20 -
8.3. Automatic Evaluation .......................................................................... - 21 -

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OPERATION MANUAL

8.3.12 SPHEROWIN ..................................................................................... - 21 -

8.3.13 SPHEROWIN PLUS ........................................................................... - 21 -
8.4. Precision ruby ball rings...................................................................... - 22 -
9 Technical Support............................................................................... - 23 -

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OPERATION MANUAL

1 UNPACKING and HANDLING

The dedicated shipping box normally contains:

Mainframe including the high precision linear encoder

Spindle lowering lever.
Digital Display Unit
Connection cable between Digital Display Unit and PC
Operator Manual
Calibration sheets
CD ROM with the Software Package SPHEROWIN
Power supply cables
Aluminum case for mainframe
Calibrated rings, packed separately in wooden box
Precision flats, packed separately in wooden box
Before unpacking please make sure that all these items are in the shipping
box.

Standard set including 5 rings

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OPERATION MANUAL

Setup of the instrument

The Mainframe, containing the high precision linear encoder, should be carefully
removed from the container. The sensible linear encoder is protected with an
aluminium cover.
CAUTION:
Carefully remove the strip mainaining the spindle in the retracted position.
Otherwise you risk to damage the linear encoder or to disturb the calibration of
the instrument.
Carefully set the Mainframe down on a flat surface and remove the cover from the
linear encoder.
Do not discard the protective cover. This cover protects the linear encoder against
dust, otherwise it should be used when transporting the instrument.

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OPERATION MANUAL

Storage

The shipping container is specially designed not only for safe delivery of the
equipment but also for storage when it shall not be used for a longer period.
Therefore the container should be retained and used for shipment when re-
calibration of the instrument is necessary
The calibration rings and the test plates are seperately packed in another box
specially designed for protection and storage of these precision items.

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OPERATION MANUAL

2 INSTALLATION

1. After removing from the shipping container, place all items on a flat and clean
working table.
2. Insert the 9-pin plug (male) of the Mainframe into socket of the Digital Display
Unit.
3. For Super-Spherotronic HR and Ultra-Spherotronic: connect the small socket
(female) of the mainframe with the 4-pins (male) connector of the control unit
of the motorized spindle.
CAUTION: Do not violently pull the connection cable between the
Mainframe and the Digital Display Unit. You risk to disadjust the linear
encoder in the Mainframe and to disturb the calibration of the
instrument.
4. With the Interface Cable connect the Digital Display Unit (X31-V24-RS-232)
with the serial port (COM1 or COM2) of the PC
5. When delivered connect the remote control switch with the socket X41 of the
Digital Display Unit
6. Plug the mains cable into the Digital Display Unit and the power supply as
specified on the label on the back side of the instrument.
CAUTION: Do not connect the instrument to other voltage as specified
on the label on the back side of the instrument.
7. Insert the spindle lowering lever into the upper hole of the Mainframe of
SpheroCompact and screw it on:
-Hold the cable approx. square to the mainframe with the screwed end in the
front of the mainframe

-Slightly press the the screwed end into the screwed hole of the linear encoder
while rotating the cable(clockwise)

-Slightly pull the cable to ensure that it is screwed into the mainframe
-To remove the cable use the same procedure in the reverse way
CAUTION! Do not violently press or pull the release cable. You risk to
change the position of the linear encoder and affect the calibration of the
instrument.
8. Switch on the instrument with the power switch on the rear panel of the Digital
Display Unit. (position "ON").

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OPERATION MANUAL

2.1. MOUNTING and REMOVING of CALIBRATION RINGS

The tolerance of the play between Calibration Ring and Mainframe is maintained
very narrow to ensure the high accuracy of the instrument. Moreover, after the
grinding the Mainframe is lapped together with the Calibration Rings so that the
clearance (play) between Mainframe and Calibration Rings is minimal.
CAUTION: When mounting the appropriate Calibration Ring on the Mainframe
hold the Calibration Ring so that its axis is parallel to that of the Mainframe.
Then gently lower the Calibration Ring by slightly rotating it. Do not try to
violenty place Calibration Ring into the right position. A very thin layer of high
quality grease on the fitting surface of Mainframe and Calibration Ring might
facilitate the mounting, however, a contact of the probe with any kind of grease
is to be avoided.

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OPERATION MANUAL

3 OPERATION

3.1. General Rules

3.1.1 Super-Spherotronic/Spherocompact HR

Before placing the test plate or the sample under test on top of the calibration ring
move down the linear encoder by pressing the spindle lowering lever. Put the test
plate or the sample on the calibration ring but avoid any lateral load to the spindle of
the linear encoder.
CAUTION: Release slightly the spindle of the liner encoder. Avoid
hiting the sample with the top ruby ball of the spindle!!. Use the
spindle lowering lever to move the spindle. Avoid high speed
motion of the spindle!!! There is the risk to loose the reference
position (taken with the precision flat) when the the spindle hits by
high speed the upper limit position!!!

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OPERATION MANUAL

3.2. Principle of measurement

To determine the radius of curvature, the saggital height of the lens is accurately
measured using a high precision linear encoder. The standard resolution of the linear
encoder used in TRIOPTICS spherometers is different, depending on the
spherometer type: 0.5/0.1/0.05 micron. The absolute accuracy is 0.2/0.1/0.05 m.
In the measuring technique described above, the following elements are essential for
the accuracy of the system:
a) Resolution and accuracy of the linear encoder
The extreme accuracy of the linear encoder used in TRIOPTICS enables
measurements with highest possible precision.
b) Exact determination of the diameter of the calibration rings and of the precision
balls. For calibration of these rings a set of high precision master lenses with
different radii of curvature is being used. The absolute error of these master
lenses is smaller than /10 ( = 546 nm), i.e. smaller than 0.05 microns.
c) The flatness of the plane test plates used to materialize the plane of the three
supporting balls of the ring is also important for a high measurement accuracy.
The TRIOPTICS spherometers are equipped with high precision plane test plates
(error is smaller than /10 for diameter 50 mm or /4 for diameter 150 mm
resp.).
d) The absolute amount of the SAG is a very important parmeter for high accuracy
results. A small SAG will result in a relatively large measuring error, while a larger
SAG will reduce the relative error.

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OPERATION MANUAL

This relationship should be

considered in the pratice
when selecting the most
appropriate calibration ring:
For optimum performance
select the calibration ring
with the largest possible
diameter.

CONCLUSIONS: The accuracy

of the measurement depends
not only on the qualitiy of the
measuring instrument but also
on the geometrical data of the
sample (ratio R/D, where R=
radius of curvature, D=
diameter of the lens) and the
availability or selection of the
most suitable calibration ring).

3.3. Automatic Radius Calculation

To perform Automatic Radius Calculation following items are needed:
a special connection cable between PC and DIGITAL DISPLAY UNIT of the
spherometer.
TRIOPTICS-Software SPHEROWIN operating under WINDOWS 95/98/ME/NT
1. Connect the DIGITAL DISPLAY UNIT of the spherometer with the port COM 1
or COM 2 of your PC using the connection cable delivered with the
instrument.
2. If an installation CD is delivered, insert the CD in the PC drive and follow up
the instructions. If only a disk is supplied, insert the disk with the software
programme in the drive A or B of the PC
3. Copy the directory SPHEROWIN on your hard disk drive. Normally several
files are supplied, however at least two files must be on the disk:
SPHERW.EXE
SPHERW.INI
SPHERW.INI contains calibration data of the rings and initial settings.

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OPERATION MANUAL

4 Software

4.1. Options
Most of the settings can be directly changed under Options:

4.1.2 Ring

The desired ring can be selected. However, the rings can be easier selected under
the menu button RING

4.1.3 Port Settings

under this menu the serial port can be selected

4.1.4 Units

A selection of MM or INCH units is available

4.1.5 Certificate Data

Data to be inserted in the certificate can be input and if desired stored for further
measurements

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OPERATION MANUAL

4.1.6 Tolerance Selection

The software automatically calculates the tolerance of the measured radius

comparedwith a reference or nominal radius

4.1.7 Wavelength Selection

the software automatically calculates the difference of the measured radius to the
nominal (reference) radius in INTERFERENCE RINGS. Normally green light (546nm)
or red light (633nm) is used for interference rings

4.1.8 Select Language

allows to select the desired language

4.2. Program of Measurment

4.2.9 LENSES

A measurement of concave or convex lenses is possible. No mean value of concave

and convex lenses is calculated

4.2.10 TEST PLATES WITH ZERO SETTING

A mean value for the concave+convex test plate is calculated. The program requires
when starting the measurement a zero setting using the supplied precision flats

4.2.11 TEST PLATES WITHOUT ZERO SETTING

Similar with the program above, however, a zero setting is not necessary

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OPERATION MANUAL

5 Measuring Procedure

Start the measurement selecting NEW to open a new measuring file. The empty
measurement file is displayed.

Choose the appropriate ring and install it on the mainframe. Selecting RINGS you
get the dialog box containing the avalaible rings and the calibration data of the rings.
If the mounted ring is not in this box then select ADD and give in the designation and
the calibration data of the ring.
Select now in the dialog box the ring data and confirm with OK. The appropriate ring
is now active, the calibration data of this ring are used for radius calculation.
Use a plano test plate and put it on the ring (before doing this retract and then
release the measuring spindle of the linear encoder). This operation ZERO SETTING
is very important for the measurement. Use small flats for small rings and large
flats for large rings!
Press CL on the Digital Display Unit to set the zero at this position.
Press ENTER on the PC-Keyboard. This is necessary to be done only when you
open a new measuring file and is intended to make sure that the sero setting has
been carried out. A window with appropriate information is displayed if this operation
is not or incorrectly carried out.
Now the instrument is ready to measure. Put on the sample to be measured. Press
ENTER on PC-Keyboard or use the separate switch. When repeating a

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OPERATION MANUAL

measurement (what is recommended) check after 2-3 measurement the zero setting
with the precision flat. Press CL to reset on zero if necessary.
Since the setting on zero with the plano test plate could be affected by small
errors, it is recommended to repeat this procedure after 2-3 sag measurements
In this way possible errors made by zeroing the instrument will be reduced. For
the same reason the sag measurement of the same test plate should be
repeated 5-10 times.
Our experience shows that 5 times sag measurements with zeroing after each
second measurement gives satisfactory accuracy in calibration of test plates. When
the fitting between ring and test plate diameter is not optimal, a sequence of 10
measurements with zeroing after each third measurement is prefered.
Since the SPHEROWIN automatically recognizes the convex or concave surfaces,
there is no difference in the measurement of different spherical surfaces.
This also allows the operator to select the desired measurement sequency i.e. to
measure first convex or concave surfaces, to measure in the first step only convex or
concave surfaces or to mix convex/concave surfaces.
For calibration of the test plates it is however preferable to mix convex and concave
measurements to use the same reference (zero setting) for both measurements:
-set the zero position
-make 1-3 sag measurements for convex and concave
-repeat the zero setting
-continue the sag measurements.
After 3-4 measurements rotate the ring, check the zero setting and repeat the
measurements.
Use FILE to save or to print the measuremet file. You can change the Certificate
Data after the measurement if desired. The modified file has to be saved again.
Use RING to select, add, remove rings

Use DELETE to delete one or more measurements from file.

Use PRINT to print out the measuring certificate
Insert a value for a nominal radius or reference radius in the window RADIUS
REFERENCE. The software will automatically calculate if the measured radius is
within the selected tolerance.

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OPERATION MANUAL

nserting a value for the FREE APERTURE of the test plate the software will calculate
the difference to the nominal radius given in INTERFERENCE RINGS.

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OPERATION MANUAL

6 MAINTENANCE

The super SPHEROTRONIC/Ultra-Spherotronic/Spherocompact HR is free of any

regular maintenance. However, it should be treated with care and kept in a clean and
dry environment.

6.1. Care of plano test plates

When using the plano test plates, avoid any contact with the flat surface. Any plano
test plate should be placed in the protective box when not in use to minimize the
need for cleaning and to provide safety against accidental damage.

6.2. Cleaning of plano test plates

- Use dry air, blow away any dust or lint on the optical surface
- Use a mild solution and cotton to remove heavy finger prints or other
contaminations.
- Use CP alcohol, CP aceton with lens tissue to remove any residue.
Use lens tissue only once! Do not use dry tissue on dry glass.

6.3. Cleaning of Mainframe and Calibration rings

The mainframe has a precision mechanical interface to take up the calibration rings.
This fine grinded surface should be protected against any damage. The same
precaution should be taken to protect the mechanical interface of the calibration
rings. The calibration rings are to be placed in the protective box after use. When the
mechanical interface of the Mainframe or the calibration rings is contaminated with
dust or other residues the surface must be carefully cleanded using a smooth cotton
tissue impregnated with light grease or MoS2 oil. Finally the surface should be
cleaned very properly with a dry cotton tissue. Proceed similarly to clean the
supporting balls of the rings.When not use for longer time, the surface is to be
protected with a very thin film of oil or grease.
Important! The perfect cleanliness of the contact surfaces of the mainframe
and of the ring balls are decisive for measurement accuracy. Keep in mind that
any dust or dirt have a size exceeding by far the resolution or accuracy of
e.g.0.1 microns. Any dust particle between the contact surfaces or between
ring balls and test glasses can ruin the benefits of the most accurate encoder.
For best results make sure that all the samples to be measured, the rings, the
plano test plates and the instrument have the same temperature. Keep the
temperature at 21+/-1C to achieve maximum accurac y. For best results
switch on the digital display and wait 10-15 minutes before measuring
CAUTION: Do not touch or hit the spindle of the linear encoder.

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OPERATION MANUAL

IMPORTANT: The spindle of the linear encoder of super SPHEROTRONIC

/Ultra-SPHEROTRONIC should be kept clean. The cleaning can be carried out
using a dry cotton tissue.

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OPERATION MANUAL

7 WARRANTY

This instrument is warranted against defects in materials and workmanship, for one
year from the date of shipment except for the linear encoder which is covered for 6
months by the corresponding original manufacturer's warranty.
TRIOPTICS obligation is limited to repairing or replacing those parts of the
instrument which proof to be defective during the warranty period.
TRIOPTICS obligation does not extend to subsequent damages. The guarantee
does not include transportation charges.
IMPORTANT: To return the instrument for repair use the original transport and
storage case.

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OPERATION MANUAL

8 SPECIFICATION

8.1. Measuring Range

Radius/convex: +3mm... (+0.1"...plano)
Radius/concave: -5mm... (-0.2"...plano)
Diameter of part under test: 6mm...250mm (0.25"...10")
Saggita height: +/- 12.5mm

8.2. Measuring Accuracy

Resolution of precision linear encoder: 0.5/0.1m
Last digit of display 0.5/0.1m
Absolute accuracy of linear encoder: +/-0.2...+/-0.4 m

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OPERATION MANUAL

8.3. Automatic Evaluation

8.3.12 SPHEROWIN

calculation of convex/concave radius in mm/inch

statistic evaluation of measuring results in form of mean value and standard
deviation in both mm or inch
instructions for Operation in both English and German

8.3.13 SPHEROWIN PLUS

In addition to the features of SPHEROWIN:

Automatic calculation of tolerances of the measured radius compared with a
reference radius
Selection of tolerances according DIN standard or customized
Automatic calculation of the difference to the nominal radius in INTERFERENCE
RINGS

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OPERATION MANUAL

8.4. Precision ruby ball rings

Standard Diameters:
12.5, 25, 50, 75, 100 ,125mm

Optional available Diameters:

6, 150, 225mm

On special request avilable:

Each diameter between 6 and 225mm (Delivery time 8-10 weeks)

Balls: Ruby non-crystal

Sphericity error: less 0,1 m
Diameter error: less 0,25 m

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OPERATION MANUAL

9 Technical Support

Germany
TRIOPTICS GmbH, Optical Instruments
Hafenstrasse 35-39
D-22880 Wedel / GERMANY

Phone: +49 (0) 4103 18006 0

Fax: +49 (0) 4103 18006 20
e-mail: info@trioptics.com

France
TRIOPTICS France
27 Boulevard du 11 Novembre 1918
Batiment CEI
BP 2132
69603 Villeurbanne Cedex / FRANCE

Phone: +33 (0) 472 44 02 03

Fax: +49 (0) 472 44 05 06
e-mail: info@trioptics.fr

USA
Mildex Inc.
1388 Crittenden Road
Rochester, NY 14623-2308 / USA

Phone: +1 716 473 6540

Fax: +1 716 475 1971
e-mail: mildex@mildex.com

Japan
TRIOPTICS JAPAN Co. Ltd
Kyotoku Bldg. 3F, 3-10-33 Ishida,
Shizuoka-city,
Sizuoka Pref. 422-8042, Japan

Phone: +81 54 203-4555

Fax: +81 54 203 4556
e-mail: oya@trioptics.jp

China
TRIOPTICS China
E5/F, M7 Building,#1 Jiuxianqiao East Rd
Chaoyang Dist.
Beijing 100016, China.
Phone: +86 10 84566186
Fax: +86 10 84569901
e-mail: lisong@trioptics-china.com

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