Renishaw Unveils PH20 PLUS 5-Axis Touch-Trigger System With 300 mm Inspection Reach

Extending the Reach of a Proven Platform

Renishaw has introduced the PH20 PLUS 5-axis touch-trigger system for coordinate measuring machines (CMMs), a direct replacement for the established PH20 head. The headline number is hard to miss: an over 50% increase in inspection reach compared to the original PH20 head.

That matters on the shop floor. Deeper, harder-to-access features have historically been a limiting factor for touch-trigger measurement, and Renishaw's answer is a redesigned kinematic mount that supports longer probe configurations. With a 50 mm stylus, the PH20 PLUS head provides a maximum working length of up to 300 mm — delivering an additional 107 mm of reach.

Building on a Decade of Adoption

The PH20 touch-trigger system was launched in 2010 and utilizes head motion technology from the REVO® 5-axis measurement system. Since then, the PH20 system has been widely adopted by manufacturers globally — a user base Renishaw is clearly unwilling to alienate.

"With PH20 PLUS, we've focused on extending capability which we think will appeal to both existing PH20 customers and those with measurement requirements which could previously not be met by the existing head," said Nathan Fielder, Product Manager at Renishaw.

Protecting Existing Investment

Backwards compatibility is central to the pitch. The PH20 PLUS system maintains compatibility with existing TP20 modules via the PB20 adaptor, and it is fully compatible with Renishaw's UCC controller. New PE20 modules round out the probe ecosystem, while a new modular rack system — mounting to an MRS2 rail — has been developed for automatic and repeatable probe module changing with the PH20 PLUS head.

Where to See It

For metrology teams already running PH20 installations, the upgrade path looks deliberately low-friction: keep the modules, keep the controller, gain the reach.