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Auto Collimator Test

The document describes the experimental setup for measuring straightness and flatness using an autocollimator. An autocollimator is an optical instrument that combines an infinity telescope with a collimator. It is used to measure small angular differences by focusing a beam of light onto a flat reflector and measuring the displacement of the returned light beam caused by tilting of the reflector. The document outlines the components of an autocollimator, its working principle, applications in measuring straightness, flatness and parallelism, and the procedure to measure straightness and flatness of a surface plate using an autocollimator.

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Raghavendra Reddy
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294 views5 pages

Auto Collimator Test

The document describes the experimental setup for measuring straightness and flatness using an autocollimator. An autocollimator is an optical instrument that combines an infinity telescope with a collimator. It is used to measure small angular differences by focusing a beam of light onto a flat reflector and measuring the displacement of the returned light beam caused by tilting of the reflector. The document outlines the components of an autocollimator, its working principle, applications in measuring straightness, flatness and parallelism, and the procedure to measure straightness and flatness of a surface plate using an autocollimator.

Uploaded by

Raghavendra Reddy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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EXPERIMENTAL SET UP FOR AUTOCOLLIMATOR

7. Measurement of straightness and flatness of


surface by using auto collimator
Aim:-
To measure the straightness and flatness of surface by using auto collimator.

Tools required: -
1. Auto collimator.
2. Work piece/object to be tested (Surface plate).

Technical specifications: -
1. Magnification=10X
2. Collimating lens aperture=25mm
3. Focal length=300mm.

Theory:
Definition of straightness- a plane is to be said straight over a given length. If the variation
or distance of its point from two planes perpendicular to each other and parallel to the
generation direction at of the line remain within specified tolerance limits. The reference
planes being so chosen that there intersection is parallel to the straight line joining two points
suitably located on the line to be tested and two points being close ends of the length to be
measured.

Principle of the Autocollimator: A cross line ―target‖ graticule is positioned at the focal
plane of a telescope objective system with the intersection of the cross line on the optical
axis, i.e. at the principal focus. When the target graticule is illuminated, rays of light
diverging from the intersection point reach the objective via a beam splitter and are projected
from the objective as parallel pencils of light. In this mode the optical system is operating as a
collimator.

A flat reflector placed in front of the objective and exactly normal to the optical axis reflects
the parallel pencils of light back along their original paths. They are then brought to focus in
the plane of the target graticule and exactor coincident with its intersection. A proportion of
the returned light passes straight through the beam splitter and the return image of the target
cross line is therefore visible through the eyepiece. In this mode, the optical system is
operating as a telescope focused at infinity.
If the reflector is tilted through a small angle the reflected pencils of light will be deflected
by twice the angle of tilt (principle of reflection) & will be brought to focus in the plane of
target graticule but linearly displaced from the actual target crosslines by an amount 2θ* f.

An optical system of an auto collimator consists of a light source, condensers, semi-


reflectors, target wire, collimating lens and reflector apart from microscope eyepiece. A
target wire takes place of the light source into the focal plane of the collimator lenses. Both
the target wire and the reflected image are seen through a microscope eyepiece. The eyepiece
incorporates a scale graduated in 0.05mm interval and a pair of parallel setting wires which
can be adjusted. Movements of wires are affected through a micrometre; one rotation of the
drum equals to one scale division movement of the wires. The instrument is designed to be
rotated through 90 degrees about its longitudinal axis so that the angles in both horizontal &
vertical planes are measured.

Autocollimators: It is an instrument designed to measure small angular deflections & may


be used in conjunction with a plane mirror or other reflecting surface. An Automator is
essentially an infinity telescope & a collimator combined into one instrument. This is an
optical instrument used for the measurement of small angular differences. For small angular
measurements, autocollimator provides a very sensitive and accurate approach. Auto
collimator is essentially an infinity telescope and a collimator combined into one instrument.
The principle on which this instrument works is given below O is a point source of light
placed at the principal focus of a collimating lens. The rays of light from O incident on the
lens will now travel as a parallel beam of light. If this beam now strikes a plane reflector
which is normal to the optical axis, it will be reflected back along its own path and refocused
at the same point O. If the plane reflector be now tilted through a small angle 0, then parallel
beam will be deflected through twice this angle, and will be brought to focus at O in the same
plane at a distance x from O. Obviously OO ‘=x=2θ.f, where f is the focal length of the lens.

Applications:

1.To find the control line & alignment of circular & flat surfaces in machining.

2. Alignment of beams & columns in construction buildings / industries, steel structures.

3.In measuring the straightness, flatness and parallelism, these can be used.
Procedure:
1. Level the auto collimator unit on the stand and table.
2. Switch on the light and observe the measuring gratitude through the eye piece. This is
linear scale with smallest division value 1mm.
3. Bring the plain reflector infront of collimator to get a reflected image of gratitude i.e.,
target which is illuminated cross hair line.
4. Depending on variation in surface position of the target across time line will change
measurement scale.
5. Thus, the position of instruction point of cross hair line on measuring gratitude in
deviation in minutes small scale division of it.
6. Use micro meter provided for eye piece, we can measure and observe friction upto
second.
7. As shown in figure with illustration, it is possible to measure straightness of line of
optical axis of auto collimator.
8. When light falls on the mirror, it is reflected through an angle proportional to different
in level of surface under eye piece to say angle “𝜃”.
9. This deflection of cross hair, we can measure directly with scale by using micro
meter.
10. To get difference in level of support we can use

𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒
sin 𝜃 =
ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑛𝑢𝑒𝑠𝑒

From equation, we get 𝜃 = 1°.

We know that centre distance of support (A-B) =5 mm then,

Deviation (mm) = sin 𝜃 × (𝐴 − 𝐵).

= sin 1 * 5

= 0.0029

= 14.64microns.
Tabular column:-

Measurement of flatness

Distance (mm) Deflection (mm)

Precautions:-
1. Keep the instrument away from the vapour oil and dust.
2. Keep the instrument dry and clean.
3. Handle the microscope gently.
4. When the instrument is not in use, keep it in the box given with it.

Result: -
Hence, the measurement of straightness and flatness of surface by using auto
collimator is done successfully.

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