FARO Technologies, Inc. has announced the new version of its FARO Gage portable 3D CMM, now with Bluetooth and new measurement software.

Bluetooth wireless technology allows users to inspect and transmit data up to 10m away – even through walls – without the need for cables. Bluetooth is the right technology for FARO Gage applications and produces faster set up, extended battery life, and lower power consumption.

 

Furthermore, the FARO Gage measurement software has been completely enhanced. Renamed CAM2 Gage, it features a much simpler and more intuitive user interface that makes it the ideal entry-level inspection software.

 

The CAM2 Gage software is FARO’s CAM2 solution for measuring basic geometry and building dimensions. It allows users to measure geometric features on parts and report the dimensions they need to control. Once users have measured one complete part, they can then repeat the same measurements on the next part with no additional effort. Users can also add images to their inspection plan and hand it over to any operator.

 

For more information, you can also visit: www.faroasia.com/Gage

FARO and Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology Form Innovative Solutions Network

FARO Technologies, Inc. and Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology announced today the launch of the Innovative Solutions Network, a marketing, sales and support collaboration in North America. Through the network, these two leaders in metrology will provide a broader product solutions offering, including both traditional and portable CMMs. From the simplest to the most complex metrology measurements, the Innovative Solutions Network will offer customers access to more patented technologies, focused applications, and customer support programs and resources.

“The creation of the Innovative Solutions Network will allow us to better serve our customers by providing them with a total metrology solution. The technologies offered by both companies are among the most advanced equipment available today, and I am excited to see two world class companies like FARO and Carl Zeiss create such a comprehensive metrology solution,” said David Morse, SVP and Managing Director of the Americas for FARO.

For years, customers have benefited from the world-class support and training programs offered by both companies, along with the extensive knowledge and experience that comes with over 120 combined years of metrology development. Through the Innovative Solutions Network, individuals interested in implementing a metrology solution will now have access to expert resources from both FARO and Carl Zeiss.

“We are pleased to work with FARO in the launch of the Innovative Solutions Network. Like us, their strength is in developing the key technologies needed to give customers the best solution. We believe it to be a great benefit to our existing customer base as well as for those who are considering a full metrology solution,” said Greg Lee, President of Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology.

New laser measurement system

Faro, the world’s leading provider of portable measurement and imaging solutions, will exhibit at JEC Composites Show 2010, Paris from 13th - 15th April 2010. Faro will present their Laser ScanArm V3 which is a unique solution on the market for measuring machines. It enables users to inspect parts in detail by capturing large point-cloud data. Its open architecture enables the user to employ Geomagic, Polyworks, RapidForm and many other third-party software programmes and to bring top-quality products to market more quickly.

The Laser ScanArm V3 tackles all measurement tasks like inspection, point cloud-to-CAD comparison, rapid prototyping, reverse engineering, 3D modeling, and as-built documentation with accuracy up to 54 microns. Users can hard-probe measure simple point variations, then laser scan sections for larger volumes of data – without the wasted time of adding/removing attachments, untangling cabling, or importing data from another CMM. Its main benefits are the accurate scanning of reflective and dark objects - the biggest challenge for all scanning systems.

Faro will also show its FaroArm, Faro Gage and Faro Laser Scanner Photon product lines, as well as its new Laser Tracker ION which is the most advanced, state-of-the-art Faro Laser Tracker ever introduced. The ION also features a longer measurement range, lighter weight, and contains the fastest, most sophisticated distance measuring system: Agile Absolute Distance Meter (aADM).

Visitors will have the chance to see live demonstrations of all Faro products at stand V30. “Our aim is to make people realise how quick and easy measurements can be carried out. Many of our customers used stationary measuring equipment before switching to our portable systems,” said Christophe Bénard, Responsable des Ventes de Faro France. “Their lead time is reduced while quality standards are improved by using our systems after a few weeks already. This guarantees a very fast ROI.”

About Faro

Faro develops and markets computer-aided coordinate measurement and scanning devices and software. Portable equipment from Faro permits high-precision 3D scanning and documentation of objects or whole facilities like historical buildings, tunnels or even oilrigs. The devices are used for inspecting components and assemblies, production planning, and inventory documentation, as well as for investigation and reconstruction of accident sites or crime scenes. They are also employed to generate digital scans of building sites, tunnels and historic sites.

The Faro® Laser Scanner Photon 20 and Photon 120 are the latest generation of easy-to-operate mobile laser measurement devices. With its high image quality due to hypermodulation, scanning speed, and positioning accuracy, the Faro Photon quickly and accurately creates three-dimensional black-and-white images – also known as point clouds – of large buildings, factories, or crime scenes. Photorealistic 3D colour pictures are possible with an expansion option. The Faro Laser Scanner Photon can be easily expanded and can be used by anyone after brief initial training.

Worldwide, approximately 9,500 customers are operating more than 20,000 installations of Faro measurement systems. The company’s global headquarter is located in Lake Mary, Florida/USA, its European head office in Korntal-Münchingen near Stuttgart (Germany) and the UK office in Coventry.

FARO and Aberlink sign agreement to make Aberlink 3D available for FARO Gage

FARO, the world’s leading provider of portable measurement and imaging solutions, and Aberlink, the largest UK owned CMM manufacturer, have signed an agreement under which the Aberlink 3D software is now available as an option for the FARO Gage.

After a period of extensive product development, the latest version of Aberlink’s easy to use measurement software, Aberlink 3D, can now be employed with portable measuring arms. FARO have always supported an open architecture philosophy, and following successful test at customers’ sites in both the UK and Germany, decided to make Aberlink 3D software available as an option for the FARO Gage for their European customers.

Aberlink’s measurement software package was designed around an intuitive user interface that creates an interactive 3D image of the component as it is measured. In essence the software package represents an intelligent measuring system that is able to automatically recognise and define the various features being measured.

Software features developed specifically for FARO measuring arms ensure the on-screen image is always correctly orientated to match the measured part. Other innovations allow the arm to be used to control mouse functionality and the arm buttons to retake points and accept features. High speed scanning enables a standard fixed probe to be used to collect a high density of touch points using time and distance based point spacing

FARO’s David Homewood, Area Vice President of Sales for the UK, France and Benelux, said: “The software solution from Aberlink offers an excellent fit for our FARO Gage. The software offers simple functionality and visual representation of the parts being measured. Combined with a professional reporting package the Aberlink software adds new capability to the FARO Gage.”

About Aberlink

Aberlink designs, develops, manufactures, markets and supports a range of innovative manual and CNC Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs), vision measurement systems and measurement software. Aberlink products are renowned throughout the world for being cost effective, easy to use and above all providing manufacturing with reliable, high accuracy measurement results.

Worldwide headquarters in Gloucestershire, UK plus more than fifty regional sales and support offices in thirty five countries worldwide.

What, Exactly, is Portable CMM Technology?

Metrology technology has constantly evolved as the needs of manufacturing have become more stringent. Recent developments have allowed portable CMMs to become more prominent in the marketplace since they can be integrated into the manufacturing process. This has turned what has traditionally been an inspection device into a value added option for cutting-edge manufacturers.

There are several different tools available for the measurement and inspection of parts and products. The specific application often determines the best choice as each tool has its own benefits and drawbacks. Over the years, these tools have become more advanced in order to keep up with improved quality standards.

Today’s manufacturing demands often require that processes adhere to the best possible practices to maximize value. One clear way to do this is to improve production times and to minimize waste. Implementing portable CMM technology at every aspect of the manufacturing cycle can achieve this goal – improving both time and cost savings.

There are two main types of portable CMMs: articulated arms and laser trackers. Articulated arms determine and record the location of a probe in 3D space and report the results through software. To calculate this location, the rotational angle of each joint and the length of each segment in the arm must be know. The rotational angle is determined using optical rotary encoders that count rotations incrementally, and software is used to convert those counts into angle changes.

Laser trackers operate by measuring two angles and a distance. The tracker sends a laser beam to a retroreflective target held against the object being measured. As light is reflected off the target, it bounced back and re-enters the tracker at the same position it left and is measured by a distance meter, measuring the distance between the tracker and target.

Portable CMM technology can be used for many different applications and continue to grow in popularity. Companies implementing this technology are getting the accuracy results they need in addition to flexibility to use the unit wherever and whenever it's most convenient.

For more information

FARO invites you for a test drive

LAKE MARY, Fla. (April 23, 2009) – Hoping “to help get the manufacturing process moving again,” FARO Technologies (NASDAQ: FARO) has unveiled a Technology Test Drive program it says will put the company’s leading-edge 3D measurement devices on customers’ shop floors without capital expense and help them implement necessary technology to remain competitive during these difficult economic times.

The program makes FARO’s entire line of portable 3D measurement and imaging devices available to customers over a four-month period for a monthly fee as low as $2,000 with 100 percent of that fee applied to the purchase at the end of the test drive, after which FARO will replace the test driven unit with a brand new device. As well, the fee includes unlimited training throughout the test drive to assure that the customer’s employees are able to fully integrate the technology into their business process. In the event the customer cannot fully justify the technology, they can simply return it at the end of the four months.

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