Glossary
Getting Started Guide G-3
Glossary
cosine error—An error resulting from misalignment of the scale (the
laser beam) to the mechanical axis of motion. This error is called cosine
error because its magnitude is proportional to the cosine of the angle of
misalignment.
cube corner—See retroreflector.
degrees of freedom—Possible types of motion along a machine’s travel
path. Generally there are six degrees of freedom: roll, pitch, yaw, linear
displacement, horizontal straightness, and vertical straightness (see
Figure G-1).
ESD—Electrostatic discharge. ESD is a static electrical charge that builds
up and discharges when objects (such as the optic casings or the PC
boards) touch. ESD can ruin static-sensitive electronic components such
as PC boards.
far end of travel—The point in a measurement setup when the
measurement optics are at their farthest distance apart.
interferometer—An optic that separates a beam of light into two or
more paths and subsequently recombines the beams after they traverse
different optical paths.
ISO—International Organization for Standardization.
JIS—Japanese Institute for Standards.
laser head—The laser source with its housing and focusing and
polarization components.
laser interferometry—A technique for measuring distance using the
wavelength of laser light by observing and counting optical interference
patterns. Can also refer to devices using interferometric techniques to
measure surface flatness.
loss of lock—The condition when the receiver in the laser head loses its
firm hold on the return laser beam.
MTC—Material temperature compensation.
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