Description

The Agilent HP 5517B is a high-precision, dual-frequency laser head, a critical component within Hewlett-Packard and later Agilent Technologies’ renowned line of laser measurement systems. While not a standalone controller, this module is the essential optical engine that works in concert with a compatible receiver and display unit (such as the HP 5528A) to form a complete interferometric measurement system. The core function of the Agilent HP 5517B is to generate two highly stable, coherent laser beams with slightly different frequencies—a measurement beam and a reference beam. This dual-frequency technology is the foundation for its exceptional accuracy, allowing the system to perform dynamic, real-time measurements of linear position, velocity, and straightness with resolutions in the nanometer range. The Agilent HP 5517B is engineered for metrology-grade performance in laboratory and high-precision manufacturing environments, serving as the gold standard for calibrating machine tools, coordinate measuring machines (CMMs), and precision stages. Its value lies in its unparalleled ability to provide traceable, highly accurate data that is immune to the environmental error compensation features built into the full system, ensuring the geometric accuracy of the most critical mechanical systems.

HP 5517B AGILENT

Technical Specifications

Main Features and Advantages

Metrology-Grade Accuracy and Stability: The Agilent HP 5517B is renowned for its exceptional precision, capable of measurements with uncertainties down to a few parts per million. Its stable Helium-Neon laser source and sophisticated internal optics provide a highly reliable and accurate measurement reference. The dual-frequency design allows for continuous measurement, even while the target is in motion, and is inherently insensitive to variations in laser intensity, which is a common source of error in other systems.

Superior Environmental Immunity: A key advantage of the interferometric system built around the Agilent HP 5517B is its integrated compensation for environmental factors. The system automatically corrects measurements for the refractive index of air, which is affected by temperature, humidity, and air pressure. This means the measurements are always referenced to the standard conditions defined by international standards, providing true dimensional accuracy on the shop floor, not just in a controlled lab.

Robust and Reliable Design: Built to the exacting standards of Hewlett-Packard, the Agilent HP 5517B laser head is designed for long-term reliability and minimal downtime. Its robust construction ensures consistent performance over time. The design simplifies optical alignment compared to single-frequency systems, reducing setup time and operator error. This reliability makes it a trusted tool for quality assurance and calibration laboratories worldwide.

Comprehensive System Integration: The Agilent HP 5517B is designed to be the core of a complete measurement ecosystem. It seamlessly interfaces with Agilent’s family of receivers, displays, and optics (such as linear interferometers, angular optics, and straightness optics). This modularity allows the same laser head to perform a wide variety of measurements—linear, angular, straightness, flatness, and velocity—making it an incredibly versatile capital investment for any precision engineering operation.

Application Field

The Agilent HP 5517B is the cornerstone of precision metrology in environments where micron and sub-micron accuracy is non-negotiable. Its primary application is in the calibration and geometric error mapping of high-precision machine tools and CNC machining centers, ensuring they meet and maintain their specified accuracy for manufacturing aerospace components, automotive engines, and medical devices. It is indispensable in the semiconductor industry for calibrating the precise stages used in photolithography steppers and inspection equipment. National metrology institutes and standards laboratories use the Agilent HP 5517B as a primary standard for providing traceable length calibration services. Furthermore, it is used to verify the accuracy of coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) and to align large-scale scientific instruments such as particle accelerators and astronomical telescopes. Any industry that relies on verifying the true geometric performance of precision machinery utilizes the unparalleled capabilities of the Agilent HP 5517B system.

HP 5517B AGILENT

Related Products

Agilent 5528A Dynamic Measurement Display: The central control and display unit that processes signals from the HP 5517B and other components.

Agilent 10705A Linear Interferometer: The optical receiver that mounts on the moving machine axis and interacts with the laser beam.

Agilent 10706C Environmental Compensation Unit: A critical sensor package that measures air temperature, pressure, and humidity to correct the laser wavelength.

Agilent 10702A Angular Optics Kit: Used with the system to measure pitch, yaw, and roll errors of a machine axis.

Agilent 10707A Straightness Optics Kit: Used to measure straightness of travel in two dimensions.

HP 5519A / Agilent 5519A: A similar dual-frequency laser head from the same family, often with specific compatibility or feature differences.