High-precision electronic levels
Microplan produces a wide range of high-precision electronic levels in its electronic laboratories in Italy, used for measuring straightness, perpendicularity, flatness and parallelism in civil and industrial environments.
The advantages of Microplan electronic levels
A precision electronic level is a measuring instrument used to verify, with high accuracy and precision, the inclination angle of a surface, such as a surface plate or the guide of a machine or mechanical component, with respect to the horizon or another angle used as a reference.
Microplan electronic levels use electronic transducers to read the inclination of the pendulum and return the angle value with respect to the horizon. The value is shown on a display which, depending on the model, can be analog, digital or with both display modes.
All models can be used in “differential” mode, by connecting two levels to carry out measurement in master-slave mode, in order to optimize measurement by cancelling any angular variations not related to the real error of the surfaces being examined, but to a variation of their horizon.
The angular value unit of measurement can be selected: µm/m, microns per metre, arcseconds or µrad, microradians.
Multiple connection options are available, via USB cable or Radio connection, depending on the selected models.
The electronic level is widely used in contexts where a traditional level is not precise enough, and where very high precision and accuracy are required, such as:
- verification of minimum inclinations with respect to the horizon
- straightness verification
- verification of the perpendicularity of two surfaces
- verification of the flatness of a surface
- verification of the parallelism of multiple surfaces
- machine tool alignment
- inspection of linear guides, surface plates and precision bases
- assembly, adjustment and verification of mechanical structures
- calibration and testing in industrial environments
Our range of electronic levels meets every measurement requirement and offers numerous advantages thanks to technical solutions resulting from continuous Research and Development activities and functional implementations:
Analog/digital readout unit
Models are available with galvanometer analog readout unit, LE050 and LE051, with built-in digital readout unit, LE901, LE051, or remote VD810 readout unit, for LE602-LE702-LE801 models.
Oil-bath mechanic
In all Microplan electronic level models, the mechanic, the heart of the instrument, is housed in an oil-bath metal box; this system makes it possible to: • minimize the harmful effects of any impacts on the pendulum, which is the mechanical part directly responsible for the correct operation, accuracy and precision of the instrument and is also the most sensitive part. In this way, the service life of the instrument is extended thanks to protection against accidental impacts, while reliability during measurements is also increased. • minimize thermal shocks, protecting the sensitive part of the instrument from sudden temperature variations. • reduce the typical stabilization time of the pendulum and therefore the display time of the angular measurement, by creating friction on the pendulum itself.
Simple and intuitive interface
All our instruments are designed to be used in civil and industrial environments, without any particular training requirements, thanks to a guided, simple and intuitive interface that guides the operator through all measurement phases.
Ready-to-use instrument
Microplan electronic levels are ready to use and do not require calibration at switch-on.
Granite or ceramic base
With the exception of the LE051 model, all Microplan electronic level models can be supplied, on request, with standard 120 or 220 mm bases, with custom-designed bases and therefore with dimensions and shapes required for specific applications, such as prismatic bases, adjustable bases or bases of significant length, for example 1000 mm, in both granite and lightweight ceramic. In addition, standard bases can be integrated with special sub-bases fixed using dedicated fastening systems.
High resolution
In laboratory-use models, resolution reaches 0.5 µm/m, 0.1 arcsec.
Rechargeable batteries, standard battery adapters and power banks
All electronic level models are powered by rechargeable batteries, to ensure long operating life. It is also possible to connect external units to the instrument, such as power banks or adapters for standard batteries, AA, so that the instruments can be used even during very long measurement campaigns or when the internal battery is discharged.
Wooden handle and ABS housing
On all models, particular attention has been paid to the materials used for the instrument grip points. On LE050 and LE051 models, a wooden lifting handle is provided to prevent temperature variations caused by contact with the operator’s hands and to ensure measurement without thermal interference. Likewise, the new ABS housings on the digital models ensure excellent grip and thermal insulation from the pendulum unit.
Choice of measurement unit
On models with digital readout, the measurement unit can be selected and/or changed between µm/m, µradians and arcseconds.
Measurement ranges
The LE050 and LE051 analog models allow operation with 5 measurement ranges, from 250 µm/m down to 1 µm/m, selectable by means of a convenient selector.
Use in differential mode
Electronic levels can be used in differential mode by connecting a second level as a reference, also via Radio.
RS232 data output and PC interfacing
Most models can save measurement campaign data and/or communicate inclination values to a PC or external units, VD810, through the RS232 serial output and the dedicated accessory cable.
Geometric Analysis Software
Microplan has developed the WPLAN software and the new MiMAS Software for complete analysis of data acquired with Microplan electronic levels, and more: graphs, measured values, calculation of flatness, straightness and parallelism values are obtained by querying or downloading data directly from the instrument.
