Autocollimators
If you know the specific type of autocollimator you would like more information on, click on one of the buttons just below in the header. If you would like general information about the different types of autocollimators available, then scroll down this page for the topic sections about autocollimators.
Fixed Focus Autocollimators
Adjustable Focus Autocollimators
VISUAL OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS
Autocollimators
Vermont Photonics offers the comprehensive line of Möller-Wedel Optical GmbH autocollimators with fixed or variable focus settings as well as with straight, 90° and 60° viewing (only with fixed focus setting). Versions with reticle changer, integrated CCD camera mount, mechanical (MD) or digital double micrometer (MDD) are also available.
AUTOCOLLIMATORS
Selection Criteria
The high variability of the autocollimators of MÖLLER-WEDEL OPTICAL GmbH allows you the perfect choice for your application.
To help you determine which is most appropriate for your application, this section describes the influences of focal length of objective and eyepiece, objective aperture, fixed or adjustable focus setting and furthermore geometrical or physical beam splitter on the autocollimator.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Long or Short Focal Length?
Depending on the magnification of the instrument a longer focal length of the objective leads to a greater measuring sensitivity and measurement accuracy. As the focal length increases, the measuring range (FOV) decreases proportionally. Additionally, the intensity of the light bundle received by the telescope decreases with increased focal length. A longer focal length affects the mechanical extension of the tube, as well.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Eyepiece Focal Length?
In contrast to the usually used eyepiece with f=14.7 mm an eyepiece with f=10 mm gives a larger magnification but lesser image field and eyepiece f=25 mm gives a smaller magnification but larger image field.
Note: After removing the eyepiece cover ring all eyepieces can be upgraded with a C-Mount-Adapter to connect a CCD-Camera to the eyepiece.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Small or Large Objective Aperture?
Light conditions are more favorable when large apertures are used, and the evaluation of the results is easier and more accurate. A long distance between test specimen and testing telescope demands a relatively large free aperture (or aperture ratio). For these kinds of measurements a relatively large aperture diameter should be used.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Fixed or Variable Distance Setting?
The measurement of the angles of plane mirrors in autocollimation is made with a parallel, or infinity focus, beam. Fixed, infinite focus is generally the best choice. For measurement tasks requiring an adjustable focal distance, use an objective tube with focus adjustment. Fixed focus tubes set at other than infinity can also be ordered.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Geometrical or Physical Beam Splitters?
The geometrical beam splitter results in smaller image angles, but greater image brightness and less stray light. These autocollimators are used mainly with small targets. Due to their internal layout, these autocollimators cannot be used for measurement of triple mirrors or corner cubes. In most cases an autocollimator with physical beam splitter is recommended due to the larger measuring range of this configuration.
Note: Geometrical beam splitters are only available for the AKG-eyepiece as modular component (Art. No. 219 035)
VISUAL OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS
Autocollimators with FIXED FOCUS Setting
For autocollimators with fixed focus setting the distance between reticles and objective is fixed. Usually the adjustment is made for infinity at a wavelength of 546 nm. Adjustment to other fixed distances or wavelength is also possible on demand.
Straight Viewing Fixed Focus Autocollimators
An autocollimator with straight viewing has the user´s line of sight co-linear with the objective axis. These autocollimators are preferably used in horizontal direction, where the eyepiece is at eye level. In a down-looking arrangement or on optical table 90°- or 60°-viewing is often more suitable.
For more information on our STRAIGHT VIEWING FIXED FOCUS autocollimators, click on one of the images below.
The simplest version of an autocollimator is an autocollimator with straight viewing. Autocollimators of this version are available with different focal lengths and tube diameters.
Autocollimators with straight viewing are also available with mechanical double micrometer (AKG MD) and with digital double micrometer (AKG MDD).
The Type AKG MD with mechanical double micrometer allows the measurement of tilting angles in two directions. The lateral movement of the eyepiece reticle in x- and y-direction in the image plane can be read from the scale of the micrometer drums. The scale division is 5 micrometer.
The Type AKG MDD has programmable measuring gauges, which allows the operator to read the angular displacement in arsec or mrad.
90° Viewing Fixed Focus Autocollimators
Another simple version of an autocollimator is an autocollimator with 90° viewing. The user's line of sight is at 90° to the objective axis. These kinds of autocollimators are used for vertical set-ups or for set-ups on optical tables or for applications where straight viewing is not feasible.
For more information on our 90° VIEWING FIXED FOCUS autocollimators, click on one of the images below.
MÖLLER-WEDEL OPTICAL offers the autocollimators with 90°-viewing with different focal lengths, diameters and eyepieces.
An autocollimator with a reticle turret provides 6 selectable collimator reticles. The reticle turret allows a quick change of reticles for different measurement tasks.
The principle, function and layout resemble the autocollimator with 90° viewing. The eyepiece and eyepiece reticle are replaced by a mount for a CCD-camera and the autocollimation image is directly imaged on the CCD-chip when the camera is mounted. With no eyepiece reticle the displacement of the return image is measured on a video monitor or using a computer and software.
Autocollimator with 90°-viewing is also available with mechanical double micrometer (AKR MD).
This type AKR MD is used if a straight viewing telescope cannot be used from ergonomic point of view. It allows the measurement of tilting angles in two directions. The lateral movement of the eyepiece reticle in x- and y-direction in the mage plane can be read from the scale of the micrometers. The scale division is 5 micrometer.
Note: A version with a programmable measuring gauge (MDD) is not available because of mechanical limits.
60° Viewing Fixed Focus Autocollimators
The 60°-viewing is used in a horizontal position where the angled eyepiece is more ergonomic. Besides the standard version there are also versions with mechanical double micrometer and digital micrometer available. The main differences to the straight or 90°-viewing versions are the folding mirror with 60° between objective and corner cube. That limits the 60° variants in their focal length (f=300 & 500 mm) and tube diameter (65 mm).
For more information on our 60° VIEWING FIXED FOCUS autocollimators, click on one of the images below.
TYPE AKW, AKW MD & MDD
60° Viewing Fixed Focus Autocollimators
with Mechanical or Digital Micrometer
The autocollimator with 60°-viewing is also available with mechanical double micrometer (AKW MD) and with digital double micrometer (AKW MDD).
The Type AKW MD with mechanical double micrometer allows the measurement of deflection angles in two directions. The movement of the eyepiece reticle in x- and y-direction in the image plane can be read from the scale of the micrometer drums. The scale division (SD) is 5 micrometer.
The Type AKW MDD has a programmable measuring gauge, which allows the operator to read the angular displacement in arsec or mrad.
VISUAL OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS
Autocollimators with ADJUSTABLE FOCUS Setting
Measuring tasks requiring different wavelengths of light or measurements requiring variable focus (finite and/or infinite) are best accomplished using focusable autocollimators. With the aid of the tube extension the position of the reticles in respect to the focal plane of the objective is changeable. As a result of that the former parallel beam converts into a convergent or divergent beam and yields a real or virtual image of the reticle.
Straight Viewing Adjustable Focus Autocollimators
The simplest version of a focus adjustable autocollimators is the autocollimator with straight viewing.
For more information on our STRAIGHT VIEWING ADJUSTABLE FOCUS autocollimators, click on one of the images below.
MÖLLER-WEDEL OPTICAL offers autocollimators with adjustable focus setting with different focal lengths, diameters, eyepieces and adjustment ranges.
Autocollimators with straight viewing and adjustable focus setting are also available with mechanical double micrometer (AKGV MD) and with digital double micrometer (AKGV MDD).
The Type AKGV MD with mechanical double micrometer allows the measurement of deflection angles in two directions. The movement of the eyepiece reticle in x- and y-direction in the image plane can be read from the scale of the micrometer drums. The scale division (SD) is 5 micrometer.
The Type AKGV MDD has programmable measuring gauges, which allows the operator to read the angular displacement in arsec or mrad.
90° Viewing Adjustable Focus Autocollimators
Another simple version of a focus adjustable autocollimator is an autocollimator with 90° viewing. The user's line of sight is at 90° to the objective axis. These kinds of autocollimators are used for vertical set-ups or for set-ups on optical tables or for applications where straight viewing is not feasible.
Note: Versions with mechanical double micrometer (MD) or a programmable measuring gauge (MDD) are not available because of mechanical limits.
For more information on our 90° VIEWING ADJUSTABLE FOCUS autocollimators, click on one of the images below.
MÖLLER-WEDEL OPTICAL offers the autocollimators with 90°-viewing and adjustable focus setting with different focal lengths, diameters, eyepieces and adjustment ranges.
A focus adjustable autocollimator with a reticle turret provides 6 selectable collimator reticles. The reticle turret allows a quick change of reticles for different measurement tasks.
The principle, function and layout resemble the focus adjustable autocollimator with 90° viewing. The eyepiece and eyepiece reticle are replaced by a mount for a CCD-camera and the autocollimation image is directly imaged on the CCD-chip when the camera is mounted. With no eyepiece reticle the displacement of the return image is determined on a video monitor or using a computer with corresponding software.
TESTING TELESCOPES
Recommended Accessories
Vermont Photonics offers all of the MÖLLER-WEDEL OPTICAL GmbH autocollimator accessories providing a perfect match for your application or measurement tasks with a visual autocollimator.
To learn more about these components, click on one of the image buttons below.
We also recommend contacting us to discuss your specific applications.
RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES
Attachment Achromats
Can be mounted to a D40 or D65 objective tube to focus collimated beams of collimators, testing telescopes or autocollimators to a specific finite distance.
Art. No. Description Comment
221 048 VA f=50 D10 M36x0.75
221 051 VA f=90 D16 M36x0.75
221 053 VA f=140 D28 M36x0.75
221 055 VA f=200 D28 M36x0.75
221 059 VA f=300 D28 M36x0.75
221 063 VA f=500 D28 M36x0.75
221 067 VA f=600 D28 M36x0.75
221 061 VA f=300 D50 M60x1 only on request
221 065 VA f=500 D50 M60x1 only on request
RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES
AC Finder Prisms
The AC - finder prism has been developed to precisely align mirrors to autocollimators and electronic autocollimators at short distances.
Art. No. Description
221 031 AC - Finder Prism
RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES
Laser Attachment D40/D65
The laser attachments D40 and D65 are useful for fast coarse adjustment of an autocollimator and electronic autocollimator. They are particularly useful for alignment of distant and very small mirrors, polygons or prisms.
Art. No. Description
219 760 Laser Attachment D40 with Power Supply
219 767 Laser Attachment D40
219 750 Laser Attachment D65 with Power Supply
219 757 Laser Attachment D65
Note: When using the laser attachment with an electronic autocollimator (ELCOMAT 3000, ELCOMAT vario or ELCOMAT direct), you do not need a power supply for the laser attachment because the attachment can be supplied directly from the electronic autocollimator.
RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES
Autocollimator Test Wedge
The certified autocollimator test wedge can be used as a reference or for rapid on-site measurement accuracy testing of visual and electronic autocollimators.
Art. No. Description Comment
223 244 Autocollimator-Test-Wedge visual & electronic autocollimators
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Electronic Autocollimators
Years of experience, hard work and determination by MÖLLER-WEDEL Optical GmbH and its dedicated team spent in the development, production and calibration of visual and electronic autocollimators have resulted in the ELCOMAT and ELCOMAT direct series.
These electronic autocollimators are specifically designed for high-precision measurement tasks. The main benefits are higher accuracy, repeatability and a computer-based evaluation is possible.
For many years Vermont Phonics has worked closely with our partner MÖLLER-WEDEL Optical GmbH in developing the market for electronic autocollimators in the United States. Our deep and insightful knowledge in the use and application of these highly precise measuring and test instruments assures you of selecting the right tool for the job.
Visual Autocollimators
Overview
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Overview Autocollimators