Digipas Group

Technology, R&D Capabilities

Our R&D unit is led by a team consists of multinational, interdisciplinary and highly specialized professionals focusing on the development of core capabilities and competencies within niched domain expertise of MEMS-enabled precision digital levelling, two-dimensional surface plane angular measurement/alignment, and Wireless & Cloud-based proximity/remote-authorization access security technologies. We relentlessly perform R&D activities to innovate global-leading intelligent angular measuring instruments and eGeeTouch® smart locking devices in contributing to the advancement of the precision engineering and consumer solutions, particularly to the automotive, aerospace, medical, energy, building, semiconductor and consumer electronics industries.

as Leveling and angular measurements are vital functions for precision machine alignments, equipment setup/installation, and metrology in many industries within the precision engineering cluster. Imprecise leveling a machine affects its structural stability thus severely reduces the accuracy, functional and quality performances of a machine/equipment. In fact, precision levelling, angle measurement and alignment tasks essentially involve simultaneous 2-dimentional planes rather than conventionally conducted as two independent single-axis orthogonal lines. Dual-axis concurent angles display and real-time continuous tracking of tilted-plane angular readings are required to guide field engineers in aligning precision object/machine to a required position speedily, accurately and effectively.

In 2009, Digi-Pas® pioneered the world's-first dual-axis precision digital level and in 2011, we further pioneered the world's-first 2-axis intelligent machinist levels that have greatly simplified any high precision machine levelling and planar angle measurements tasks. In 2012, we sustained our innovation by presenting the world-first Digi-Pas® 2-axis ultra-precision inclinometer at JIMTOS in Tokyo. In fact, field engineers and scientists are often constrained by using traditional spirit bubble levels or single-axis digital inclinometers to accomplish these basic leveling tasks one axis at a time with tedious trial-and-error iterations, because adjusting one axis of a plane's angular position would inevitably affect the other axis's angular position within this plane. In precision leveling, angle measurement, and alignment tasks essentially involve a plane or simultaneous two-dimensional (i.e. 2-axis), while conventional leveling tools/instruments are limited to single axis. Alternative used of highly precise laser angular interferometer are constrained with fragile structural construct, sensitive to vibrations or shocks, cumbersome set up process, thus unsuitable to operate in open fields or hostile application environments. Digi-Pas® technology and innovation have empowered many engineers by eradicating constraints associated with using single-axis level/instruments. Further, at higher precision and a wider range of angular measurements, conventional single-axis inclinometers becomes susceptible to compounding errors & cross-axis errors. Digi-Pas® 2-axis ultra-precision inclinometer embedded with advanced MEMS and proprietary algorithm compensation process technologies effectively prevents cross-axis error and simultaneously displays tilted-plane surface angles with greater accuracy. In 2014 Digi-Pas further pioneered the industry by first introducing Digi-Pas Machinist Level Mobile App to wirelessly linking smartphone/tablets with leveling instruments providing greatest convinience and fast with high-quality leveling tasks at 28th CONTROL – International Trade Fair (Stuttgart, Germany).

In 2014, we launched eGeeTouch® NFC smart locking device that utilizes state-of-art proximity access and remote-authorization security technologies and it was the world's first of its kind, which subsequently receiving numerous Innovation Awards from Japan and USA. These patented (on 2010 and granted by USPTO on 2016) smart locks effectively resolve disadvantages associated with conventional keyed/digit-wheel-dial locks, providing enhanced security as well as hassle-free experience (zero risks to key-bumping & key-picking) to users. The novel innovation of eGeeTouch® smart locks wirelessly link to the internet via smart devices to the Cloud-computing infrastructure, deploying highly secured technology via smart devices such as smartphones, smart tags etc., validated us as the world pioneer in introducing Internet of Things (IoT) into security locks and travel luggage industries by prestigious world's largest Consumer Electronic Association (CEA) at 2014 CES Unveiled New York. eGeeTouch® smart padlock tracks, WHO, WHEN & WHERE an access was made providing an audit trail (audit log - a security relevant chronological record), containing documentary evidence of the sequence of access history which is a highly useful new feature unmatched by any conventional keyed and combination-dialed padlock.

The R&D activities have been strategically focusing on applied research in the area of advanced technology deployment to electronic devices, and in collaboration with numerous institutions including A*STAR (the Agency for Science, Technology and Research), a Singapore government's research institute, has led to successfully develop and turn research findings into market-leading innovative products. In over a decade, our group has attained over 40 Intellectual Property (IP) rights including Patents, Registered Designs and Trademarks covering major market jurisdictions including U.S., Japan, EU countries, China, India etc. Our new product development roadmaps have unveiled numerous world-first new products and won prestige innovation awards at leading international tradeshows. We continue to look forward in announcing more innovative new products that would sustain to delight our existing and new customers globally.

Advantages of using Digi-Pas® 2-Axis precision digital inclinometer over conventional single-axis levelling instruments:

  1. Traditional spirit 'bubble' level, pendulum-based, optical (e.g. laser interferometer) or servo-driven digital levels and inclinometers were often constrained with (i) single axis, (ii) narrow angle measurement range, (iii) large footprint/size, (iv) inability to withstand high shock/impact and (v) mechanical moving parts that degrade quickly due to wear-and-tear. Single-axis inclinometer is also susceptible to cross-axis error particularly when measuring at larger angles and at higher precision. However, precision levelling, angle measurement, alignment and surface flatness profiling tasks essentially involve 2-dimensional plane rather than two independent orthogonal single-axis lines. Digi-Pas® 2-Axis precision inclinometer utilizing advanced semiconductor MEMS technology consisting NO-moving part, provides simultaneous 2-axis and wide angle measuring range capabilities unmatched by those traditional single-axis 'bubble' levels, pendulum, optical or servo-based electronic inclinometers.

    Digi-Pas® 2-Axis Machinist Digital Level on 2D (X-Y plane) of a 2-axis Sine Table

  2. Digi-Pas® 2-axis MEMS technology enables simultaneous 2D (X-Y plane) leveling and angles measurement (i.e. pitch & roll), completely eliminates tedious trial-and-error (i.e. going back-and-forth taking reading one-axis at a time) experienced when using single-axis levels to align precision machines/objects. No costly need for owning 2 units of single-axis digital levels to do the same task as one unit Digi-Pas® dual-axis. i.e. effective & time saving. The repetitive yet monotonous trial-and-error activity of using single-axis levels is also time-consuming, non-productive and promote boredom that often succumb engineers to resort for compromising works.

    Compensating and calibrating Digi-Pas® 2-Axis Machinist Digital Level

  3. Digital Bull's Eye with numerical/graphical data and a built-in VibroMeter enable machine installer to track/guide alignment in real-time and instantly verify positional stability of the levelled/aligned machine by comparing machine's status profiles before and after setting up. Dual axis smart Bull's eye also prevents parallax error that is prone to experience when viewing the 'bubble' of a traditional spirit level, i.e. accountability & quality works.

  4. Wireless/USB connectivity to PC/mobile device enables engineers to perform 'one-man-operation' when conducting levelling and alignment tasks, i.e. speedy & cost saving.

    ‘One-man-operation’ when levelling machine using Digi-Pas® 2-Axis precision Digital Level via wireless Bluetooth connectivity

  5. Utilizing Digi-Pas® 2-axis inclinometer translates into speedy machine installation and productive maintenance works with professional quality that maximizes precision machine performance. Thus, leads to improved user's product quality (e.g. accuracy & yield) and higher customer satisfaction.

  6. Digi-Pas® 2-axis digital inclinometer provides a comprehensive solution for precision levelling and angular measurement, and serves as a superior alternative that seeks to replace the use of outdated spirit levels and limited angle-measuring range of conventional single-axis digital levels.

  7. Because of its 2-axis, wide angular measuring range and vibrometer functions, Digi-Pas®inclinometer is more than just a leveling tool. It is an instrument that provides a comprehensive solution for precision machine leveling, tilted-plane angle measuring, machine structural stability diagnostic and alignment needs.

  8. Digi-Pas® DWL5000XY tilt-sensor module survived over 3,000g to 6,000g Shock/Impact Test in both X&Y directions thus makes it possible to be integrated in equipment/structures for high shock/impact applications, particularly in hostile environments inoperable by conventional pendulum, optical (e.g. laser interferometer) or servo-driven tilt sensors. There is no moving parts inside Digi-Pas Sensor Module.

©2022 JSB Tech Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Precision Digital Level Accuracy and Reliability - Digi-Pas® 2-Axis Technology

In any precision measuring instruments and metrology, accuracy and reliability are very important aspects to users. Readings from an inaccurate measuring instrument/tool would result in making a faulty decision and in many cases could have unintended consequences.

Digi-Pas® 2-axis digital leveling instruments are built with advanced MEMS Sensor Technology and precisely calibrated for non-linearity for its entire measurement range using high precision computer numerical controlled equipment with resolution of 0.0001° (< 1 arcsecond). The accuracy and repeatability conformance of these highly specialized calibration equipment are further tested and periodically verified with ultra-high precision angular rotary systems (< 0.01 arcsecond), as well as laterally compared against measuring data from world-leading accredited test and certification bodies in Japan, USA, UK and Germany, traceable to NIST, JIS, UKAS & DIN. Series of Calibration Certificates obtained from these certification bodies are obvious evidences of our product conformance to specification. This has demonstrated Digi-Pas® capability and its leading-edge technology to develop and manufacture world-first dual-axis high precision angular measuring instruments.

SelfA47 Precision Rotary Table System for Angular Standard (Japan) - Source: National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ)

Moore Nano Technology System - NanoTech 350FG (USA)

The digital technology adopted has enabled Digi-Pas® angular measuring instruments to be compensated for wide operating temperature variation utilizing Digi-Pas® patented advanced calibration processes (US Pat. No. 9,459,121 B2). Programmable precision temperature and humidity chambers are also utilized to calibrate various Digi-Pas® product lines for a range of -20°C to +60°C. This has enabled these products to reliably withstand stringent operating environment in many harsh terrains ranging from building skyscrapers in the desert of Middle-East to the constructing of oil pipes, tunnels and bridges in the freezing cold countries such as Canada, the Nordic and Russia.

  1. Characterizing Digi-Pas® 2-Axis High Precision Digital Level

    It is well known that a typical characteristic of MEMS tilt sensor inherently contents nonlinearity within its angular measuring range at any fixed operating temperature as well as when temperature changes. These nonlinearities affect angular instrument accuracy becomes even more significant when dealing with ultra-precision angular measuring system. Digi-Pas® employs our proprietary calibration processes utilizing advanced calibration technologies to stabilize multiple variables contributed by material properties, components and electronic system. Hysteretic nonlinearity and cross-axis error have been controlled and managed to a level negligible or within product’s specification.

  2. Calibration and Testing of 2-Axis Precision Digital Level – Digi-Pas® U.S. Patented

    Calibration and testing of precision angular measuring instrument become very challenging at higher precision, wider measuring range and multi-axis. Test equipment’s linearity compounding error within entire measuring range and testing processes such as Swash errors become major impediments for establishing a responsible budget on measuring system uncertainties of no less than 95% confidence level at a coverage factory of k=2.

    Over the years, Digi-Pas® has relentlessly made continuous improvements and closely collaborated with global leading 3rd party accredited test laboratories in USA, Japan, UK & Germany and world-leading National Metrology Institutes under Bureau International des Poinds et Mesures (CIPM MRA) to successfully test and verify with rigor our products performances to specification traceable to NIST, JIS, UKAS & DIN for international conformity assessments. These collaboration and cooperation have benefited many of our users in USA, EU and Asia to conveniently sending their instruments for annual calibration and test at a nearby laboratory for shorter lead-time and lower cost as these labs are in a close proximity to their respective geographical location.

    Digi-Pas® Calibration equipment – Micrometer Sine Bar

    Digi-Pas® patent (US Pat. No. 9,459,121 B2) on methods and apparatus for calibrating ultra-precision 2-axis simultaneous angular instrument (of < 1.0 arcsec accuracy) utilizing nano-technology equipment addresses and resolves critical limitations and shortcomings inherent when using conventional single-axis rotary table or laser interferometer to calibrate and test dual-axis precision digital anglular measuring instrument by taking one axis at a time.

  3. Utilizing the "Absolute Level Setting" to Set Reference Level Point to Earth Datum

    In leveling applications, the primary aim is to align the surface plane of a physical object such as a machine, equipment or engineering structure to a reference leveling point, commonly known by tradesmen as ‘zero level’. This ‘reference level point’ is a planar position tangent to the center gravity of earth i.e. refers as Earth Datum. This ‘reference level point’ can then be transferred into a leveling instrument. Subsequently, this leveling instrument is used by industrial engineers to set a particular machine/object surface to a required leveling position. The process of transferring Earth Datum to a Digi-Pas® digital leveling instrument is referred as performing "Absolute Leveling Setting". By performing Absolute Level Setting on Digi-Pas® digital levels, it also effectively removes any offset resides in the instrument and thus resetting the instrument’s reference leveling point to coincide with earth datum.

    Similarly, "User Self-Calibration" is another alternative process to transfer Earth Datum and automatically store the reference leveling point into a Digi-Pas® digital leveling instrument.

    For further information on earth datum, please also refer to web-link: Geodetic Datum, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Geodetic_System

  4. What happen to the accuracy of Digi-Pas® leveling instrument/tool if it drops?

    Likewise to any precision measurement instrument/tool, mishandling such as dropping a digital level to the floor or storing it outside the specified temperature range, could affect its accuracy. This is due to structural deformation resulted from mechanical shock on impact when dropped and physical micro-dimensional changes (e.g. non-linearity) resulted from thermal expansion or contractions when storage temperature exceeded maximum specified range.

    However, unlike traditional ‘bubble’ spirit levels and many other digital levels in the market, all Digi-Pas® digital level is built with User’s Self-Calibration feature. This feature empowers users to perform their own calibration without the need to sending to 3rd party testing laboratory for inspection when minor mishandling the device. At user’s convenient work site or field work, User’s Self-Calibration can reliably reset the Digi-Pas® digital level back to factory preset accuracy whenever in doubt with the accuracy.

    For further information on Digi-Pas® digital level , please refer to FAQ at the following web-link: https://www.digipas.com/support/faq.

Three-Point Contact Base of Digi-Pas® 2-axis Precision Inclinometer

Limitations of conventional rectangular contact base levelling instrument

The contact base surface finish quality of a typical conventional leveling instrument or inclinometer is one of the critical determinants of its accuracy performance and the common rectangular-shape flat surface often suffers from geometrical deviation resulting from:

  • Waviness and unevenness
  • Irregularities due to distorted or worn surface
  • Dust and dirt trapped or surface roughness

Figure 1 illustrates three typical poor surface finishes of conventional rectangular surface contact base. The unstable surface-to-surface contact causes rocking which results in measurement inaccuracy derived from inconsistent readings. A common practice to improve the outcome under such constraint is by taking more samples to obtain an averaged reading. However, this time-consuming and repetitive activity often promotes boredom that succumb engineers to resort for compromising works, especially when the instrument is located at some distance.

Figure 1: Poor surface finishes of typical levelling instrument contact base and implications

Although high quality surface requires both flatness and smoothness, it is difficult and expensive to control in machining of metal alloy surface particularly when involving relatively large area. Increasing the flatness and smoothness of a few microns would usually increase exponentially on its manufacturing costs. This often results in a trade-off between the manufacturing costs of the instrument and thus compromises its accuracy performance.

In addition, the rectangular contact base surface of a conventional leveling instrument is also susceptible to target measuring surface unevenness, which is another factor affecting levelling and measurement accuracy. Figure 2 illustrates issues associated when a rectangular contact base of a traditional single-axis spirit level is placed on a typical machined surface having low frequency, long wavelength flatness variation. It is clearly shown that full and stable surface-to-surface contact could not be achieved between the instrument base and the measuring surface. The contact may cause rocking that results in measurement errors, hence affects the accuracy and reliability of the leveling outcome. E.g. a 3µm of surface unevenness along the length of a typical 20µm/m resolution spirit machinist level of 130mm would result in 0.001° error

Figure 2: Conventional single-axis contact base on a two-dimensional uneven plane

Digi-Pas® concave contact base versus 'perfectly flat' contact base structures

Often, dents are easily generated on smooth metal base area of an instrument resulting from rough handling. A protruding dent formed at any location near the middle of a 'perfectly flat' metal base simply causes rocking which results in measurement error or inaccuracy. To minimize these errors, Digi-Pas® instrument metal surface base has been deliberately designed and machined to form a concave 4-points contact base specifically target to prevent rocking caused by small protruding dents or foreign particles formed at the center of device’s base. Figure 3 illustrates the inferiority of a 'perfectly flat' base of conventional instruments against the improved design of Digi-Pas® concaved 4-point base when small dents/particles exist at the center of device’s base. It is obvious that small dents or particles exist near the middle of the base shall not affect stability of Digi-Pas® instrument as it is supported by both ends having precisely machined stable contacts to the targeted measurement surface.

Figure 3. Side view of perfectly flat contact base versus Digi-Pas® concave 4-point base

On the other hand, dents formed at the both ends of the instrument may not necessarily cause significant rocking. When dents happen at these both ends, an offset value/reading caused by these dents can be easily removed using Digi-Pas® calibration or Absolute Level feature (see "Accuracy Performance"). In contrast, a protruding dent formed at the middle of the device’s base destabilizes the device with severe rocking during measurement which cannot be resolved by using calibration or Absolute Level feature. This phenomenon does not only affect the instrument's initial offset value, it also affects the repeatability of measurement reading.

Thus, the contact surface approaching the base center of instrument is deliberately being designed with a concave profile to minimize the above issue, providing improved stability of measurement readings as well as enhances accuracy of the instrument.

Pioneering the application of 3-point contact base in 2-axis precision levelling instrument

In view of the constraints inherent in conventional contact base measuring instrument described in the foregoing, Digi-Pas® pioneered and patented the utility of 3-point contact base for its 2-axis precision angular and surface flatness measurement instruments. The triangular shape of 3-point contact base seeks to address the shortcomings associated with conventional rectangular contact base.

Figure 4: Stable 3-point-to-surface contact between Digi-Pas® inclinometer and flat surface object

Figure 5: Stable 3-point-to-surface contact between inclinometer and uneven surface

When a 3-point contact base leveling instrument is placed on either flat or uneven surface object (e.g. typically machined metal surface) as shown in figure 4 and 5 respectively, the three-point frame serves as a triangle-plane platform for supporting the weight and maintaining the stability of the instrument. It provides maximum stability and strength against downward forces and horizontal forces as well as movements about horizontal axes. With the sturdy three-point stand, a most stable 3-point-to-surface contact can be established without rocking and thus achieving consistent leveling readings of the two-dimensional measuring surface. Any angular deviations on the surface area is detected by Digi-Pas® 2-axis inclinometer as sensitive contact points touch on a particular section of uneven surface area.

Advantages of Digi-Pas® 3-point contact base levelling instrument

In 2009, Digi-Pas® pioneered and patented the utility of 3-points contact base to its world-first 2-axis precision digital level series that effectively prevent any surface dimensional deviation caused by unevenness of its own instrument’s metal surface contact base. Figure 5 illustrates the 3-point contact base screws made of harden steel and titanium materials that offers great stability and prevent it from ‘rocking’ when placed on either flat or uneven smooth surface for 2D levelling and planar angular measurement.

Figure 6: Digi-Pas® patented 2-Axis Precision inclinometer utilizing 3-Point Contact Base

Maintaining the 3-points contact is easy, speedy and cost effective simply by replacing the harden/titanium screws whenever they wear off, saving significant amount of time and cost as compared to maintain the instrument’s contact base surface finish through standard machining. Device accuracy performance can also be re-calibrated by performing User Self-Calibration or “Absolute Level” setting at ease. Please refer to user manual for detail instructions.

For using Digi-Pas® 2-axis inclinometer to level an object having a very rough top surface, the 3-point harden/titanium screws can be temporarily removed and use the flat base surface to naturally average the rough surface. Absolute Level Setting is required to be performed immediately after changing the base to ensure the instrument maintains its reference accuracy. However, in high precision leveling, angular measurement and surface profiling tasks usually involve high quality flatness and smooth surfaces such as granite and metal alloy machined surfaces. Hence, 3-point contact base is a better choice.

©2022 JSB Tech Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

R&D Equipment Portfolio

Tektronix DSA8200 & Agilent HP 81130A - USA

ZEISS EVO® Scan Electron Microscope - GERMANY

Mitutoyo Quick Vision Systems - JAPAN

Nikon High Precision Metallurgical Measuring Microscope - JAPAN

ZEISS EVO® Scan Electron Microscope - GERMANY

Tabai ESPEC - Humidity & Temperature Chamber - JAPAN

Tabai Thermal Shock Chamber (TSE-10) - JAPAN

Granite Table & Angular Instrument - JAPAN

More Nanotechnology Systems. NanoTech 350 FG - USA

Labwork Inc. Servo Vibration Generator - USA

Agilent ESA-E Spectrum Analyzer - USA

* in collaboration with A*STAR (the Agency for Science, Technology and Research), a Singapore's lead government agency dedicated to fostering world-class scientific research and talent for a vibrant knowledge-based economy.