CMM Quarterly: Hexagon

Showing posts with label Hexagon. Show all posts

Next Generation Laser Trackers Increase Portability and Ease of Use

Hexagon Metrology launches a new range of all-in-one high-speed laser trackers

Leading metrology solutions developer Hexagon Metrology today unveiled the Leica Absolute Tracker AT960, a walk-around coordinate measuring machine that fits in a single flight case. The latest model in the Leica Absolute Tracker range, the AT960 answers customer demand for a genuinely portable laser tracker with high-speed dynamics and six degrees of freedom (6DoF) capabilities.

To view the video, visit http://hexmet.us/AT960/pr

With a complete range of Leica laser tracker accessories built into the device, the AT960 measures to a Leica T-Probe, Leica T-Scan or reflector straight out of the box. Hot-swap battery function and IP54 certification for use in even the toughest workshop conditions mean the AT960 really can be taken anywhere.

Also launched today is the Leica Absolute Tracker AT930 system. With all the features and functionality of the AT960 without the 6DoF compatibility, the AT930 offers a totally transportable 3D solution with unprecedented dynamic capabilities and real-time operation.

“The new AT960 and AT930 laser trackers feature the latest electronics and optical technologies. Leveraging the recent developments of PowerLock, absolute interferometry and optical miniaturization we are able to release next generation portable products based on proven features,” explains Duncan Redgewell, General Manager, Leica metrology products. “The AT960 and AT930 replace the hugely-successful AT901 and T-Cam products and complement the basic Leica Absolute Tracker AT402. We now offer the most complete and modern range of laser trackers available on the market, giving our customers the opportunity to choose the right equipment for their specific needs.”

The Leica Absolute Tracker AT960 and the Leica Absolute Tracker AT930 are available to order immediately through your local Hexagon Metrology commercial center or distribution partner. The Leica Absolute Tracker AT960 will be shown at HxGN LIVE Local at Hexagon Metrology’s Lake Forest Solution Center (Lake Forest, CA) Wednesday, November 12, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

About Hexagon Metrology

Hexagon Metrology offers a comprehensive range of products and services for all industrial metrology applications in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, energy and medical. We support our customers with actionable measurement information along the complete life cycle of a product – from development and design to production, assembly and final inspection.

With more than 20 production facilities and 70 Precision Centers for service and demonstrations, and a network of over 100 distribution partners on five continents, we empower our customers to fully control their manufacturing processes, enhancing the quality of products and increasing efficiency in manufacturing plants around the world. For more information, visit www.hexagonmetrology.com.

Hexagon Metrology Presents New Corporate Branding

Refreshed Hexagon Metrology Brand Represents Closer Strategic Alignment with Parent Company Hexagon and New Market Positioning Cobham, United Kingdom,

September 5, 2012 – Hexagon Metrology today launched its new corporate branding, including a refreshed company logo and updated brand strategy. The new brand more closely aligns Hexagon Metrology with the strengths and synergies of its parent company Hexagon, a leading global provider of design, measurement and visualization technologies.

As part of the rebranding effort, Hexagon Metrology has repositioned its brand strategy, and will now serve as the primary presence in the metrology marketplace while still retaining its iconic product brands. By raising awareness of the Hexagon Metrology brand, the company seeks to promote new growth opportunities as their global customer base associates Hexagon Metrology’s strengths as a company to its entire portfolio of measurement and inspection products.

“Looking toward the future, our core competency can be summarized by proven solutions, customer services, a wide selection of software, precision sensors, and extensive know-how in the sectors we serve,” said Norbert Hanke, President of Hexagon Metrology. “This new chapter in our history is an affirmation of our continued commitment to helping customers reinvent today, outpace change, and solve problems for tomorrow.”

Building upon the company’s nearly 200-year history in the metrology industry, the new brand emphasizes the technological leadership Hexagon Metrology provides to some of the world’s most critical industries.

About Hexagon Metrology

Hexagon Metrology offers a comprehensive range of products and services for all industrial metrology applications in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, energy and medical. We support our customers with actionable measurement information along the complete life cycle of a product – from development and design to production, assembly and final inspection.

With more than 20 production facilities and 70 Precision Centers for service and demonstrations, and a network of over 100 distribution partners on five continents, we empower our customers to fully control their manufacturing processes, enhancing the quality of products and increasing efficiency in manufacturing plants around the world. For more information, visit www.hexagonmetrology.com.

Hexagon Metrology is part of Hexagon (Nordic exchange: HEXA B; www.hexagon.com). Hexagon is a leading global provider of design, measurement and visualization technologies that enable customers to design, measure and position objects, and process and present data.

Hexagon Metrology presents efficient measuring solutions at EuroMold

Hexagon Metrology and some of its versatile measuring solutions will be on show at EuroMold 2011, the World Fair for Mould Making and Tooling, Design and Application Development.

At EuroMold 2011 in Frankfurt/Main, Hexagon Metrology will be presenting a wide range of products for every industrial metrology application, in particular mould making and tooling, design and application development, at Booth M46, Hall 8. Hexagon Metrology is a long-established and reliable partner in these fields.

Portable coordinate measuring machines from Hexagon Metrology are efficient measuring solutions for components of all sizes. Customers can benefit from enormous time and cost savings by simply being able to take the measuring system to where it's needed.

In the field of portable metrology, Hexagon Metrology is exhibiting the ROMER Absolute Arm, the most precise ROMER coordinate measuring machine. The new ROMER measuring arm, the first to be equipped with absolute encoders, greatly simplifies the process of measuring. With this technology, there is no need to initialise all the encoders, as was previously the case with every measuring arm – the user simply switches the measuring machine on and starts to measure.

At this year's EuroMold, Hexagon Metrology is also presenting the new generation of 3D white-light measuring systems under the Cognitens brand: the Cognitens WLS400M manual and the Cognitens WLS400A automatic systems use digital stereo-vision technology to capture high-precision 3D data. This technology finds worldwide applications, especially in the automotive industry, and provides rapid quality control.

A further highlight is the Leica Absolute Tracker AT901. This instrument is the heart of a portable high-performance measuring system. When used in conjunction with optical or tactile hand- or robot-guided sensors, such as the Leica T-Probe or the Leica T-Scan, the Leica Absolute Tracker AT901 transforms into a metrological multitalented performer.

Hexagon Metrology is also showing the DEA GLOBAL Silver, which is quicker, measures more accurately and is easier to handle than ever before. Scanning throughput has been increased by up to 35% compared with the previous models. Optimised movement algorithms, upgraded software and a new controller have produced still more productivity.

The Hexagon Metrology booth will also provide visitors with the opportunity of viewing TESA precision measurement instruments and TESA measuring machines (including TESA Micro-Hite height gauges and TESA Micro-Hite 3D, TESA Scan).

Also on view are m&h Inprocess metrology equipment as well as various probe systems and the latest version of the 3D Form Inspect software. This software is the proven measuring solution for the mould making and tooling industry, and allows all sides and all axes of geometric and other shapes to be measured and recorded directly on the machine tool. This saves time and enhances quality.

Further information is available on our web site: www.hexagonmetrology.com/news

Hexagon Metrology Relocates Michigan Precision Center

Company Growth and Market Demands Drive Move

North Kingstown, RI – November 1, 2011 – Hexagon Metrology today announced the relocation of its Michigan Precision Center to a purpose built, state-of-the-art facility in Wixom, MI. Located in a campus-like setting, Hexagon’s new 26,000 sq. ft. office and distribution warehouse includes a spacious calibration lab and enhanced portable metrology training facilities. The new Wixom Precision Center is 35 miles northwest of downtown Detroit, and the high-tech office space offers greater energy efficiency, modern building systems, and convenient freeway access for customers. The Precision Center will house over 50 employees with an additional 110 service engineers based and dispatched from this office.

Hexagon Metrology’s new facility is located in Wixom Technology Park at 48443 Alpha Drive, Suite 100, Wixom, MI 48393. The company’s existing fax and telephone numbers remain unchanged. A customer open house is being planned for the spring of 2012.

About Hexagon Metrology, Inc.

Hexagon Metrology serves the high precision measurement and inspection needs of worldwide manufacturers with its extensive line of metrology hardware, software, accessories and customer services. The company's name-brand portfolio of quality assurance products include Brown & Sharpe, Cognitens, Leica Geosystems, ROMER, Sheffield, PC-DMIS, DEA, Leitz and TESA. Hexagon Metrology has an unrivaled installed base of more than 1.5 million handheld, stationary and portable measurement devices, and over 35,000 seats of PC-DMIS metrology software. More information is at http://www.HexagonMetrology.us.

Hexagon Metrology is part of Hexagon (Nordic exchange: HEXA B). Hexagon is a leading global provider of design, measurement and visualization technologies. Hexagon’s customers design, measure and position objects, and process and present data, to stay one step ahead of a changing world. Learn more at www.hexagon.com.

Hexagon Metrology Announces Free Webinar on PC-DMIS 2011 MR1

October 18, 2011 – North Kingstown, RI – Hexagon Metrology, Inc. today announced a free live webinar on the release of PC-DMIS 2011 MR1 to be held on Thursday, October 27, 2011 from 11:30 am to 12:00 pm eastern daylight time. This seminar will feature live demonstrations of software enhancements as well as a step-by-step workflow to maximize programming efficiency. The webinar signup page contains the complete details and system requirements: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/471543393

Shaun Wissner, a Software Marketing Specialist for Hexagon Metrology, and an experienced PC-DMIS trainer, will present the session using live screen capture so viewers can follow along. During the 30 minute webinar, Shaun will show users how to create inspection routines using embedded GD&T, how to utilize new AutoFeature Scanning Strategies, new automatic file recovery, and much more.

A live question and answer session will follow the presentation. Archived versions of the webinar including a new interactive transcript feature are posted within two weeks of the live event at www.PC-DMIS.com.

About Hexagon Metrology

Hexagon Metrology serves the high precision measurement and inspection needs of worldwide manufacturers with its extensive line of metrology hardware, software, accessories, and customer services. The company's name-brand portfolio of quality assurance products include Brown & Sharpe, Cognitens, Leica Geosystems, ROMER, Sheffield, PC-DMIS, DEA, Leitz, and TESA. Hexagon Metrology has an unrivaled installed base of more than 1.5 million handheld, stationary and portable measurement devices, and over 35,000 seats of PC-DMIS metrology software. More information is at www.HexagonMetrology.us.

The company is a business unit of Hexagon AB (Stockolm, Sweden), a publicly-traded company (Nasdaq OMX Stockholm: HEXA B). The Hexagon group consists of nearly 11,000 employees located in 42 countries.

Hexagon Metrology Announces PC-DMIS Reporting Webinar

Getting the most out of the Graphical Reporting Features of PC-DMIS

North Kingstown, RI – September 1, 2011 – Hexagon Metrology, Inc. today announced a free live webinar on Enhanced PC-DMIS Reporting Wednesday, September 14, 2011 from 11:30 am to 12:00 pm eastern daylight time. Anyone looking for tips and ideas on how to more effectively use the built-in graphical reporting features, and how to produce impressive customized inspection reports in PC-DMIS inspection software will benefit from this seminar. The webinar signup page contains the complete details and system requirements: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/996394905

Chuck Chronicle, a senior application engineer for Hexagon Metrology, and an experienced PC-DMIS trainer, will present the session using live screen capture so viewers can follow along. During the 30 minute webinar, Chuck will show users how to use report labels and built-in templates, how to add custom logos to reports, simple techniques for report customization, and the AS9102 Excel template add-in for First Article Inspection.

A live question and answer session will follow the presentation. Archived versions of the webinar including a new interactive transcript feature are posted within two weeks of the live event at www.PC-DMIS.com.

ROMER Introduces New, Enhanced Non-Contact Tube Inspection Systems

Inspection Probes and Absolute Encoders Simplify Tube Measurement and Manufacturing Process

ROMER, a brand of Hexagon Metrology, Inc., today announced their new line of non-contact tube inspection systems. The enhanced product line provides solutions for a wide array of tube and wire bending applications including tube inspection, bend correction to reduce scrap, reverse engineering, and fixture verification. System enhancements focus on expanded flexibility, simplicity, and ease-of-use to increase shop productivity.

New to the system, a range of non-contact, infrared probes provide operator-assisted visual notification via a laser stripe indicating the measured area. The operator can view where data points are acquired on a tube or wire during the inspection process. The probes are interchangeable with traditional ball probes without the need for re-calibration, delivering true plug-and-play capability. Brackets, flanges, bosses or other geometric features can now be included in the measurement routine. Besides saving time, no re-calibration also provides an additional layer of error proofing in the field. As with ROMER’s legacy systems, the non-contact probing feature enables measurement of the most flexible tubes or wires from 4mm to 130mm in diameter, without risk of deflection.

Zvonimir Kotnik, Director of the Business Management group of Hexagon Metrology, Inc. sums up the new tube inspection product line, “The straightforward operation of the overall system guarantees simple, flawless operation. By making the measurement process easier for the operator, we have improved efficiency, accuracy, and productivity for the entire tube shop”.

ROMER’s tube inspection system is based on the patented ROMER Absolute Arm portable CMM. Proprietary absolute encoders are located in the arm’s primary axes, so the arm always knows the position of its joints. This eliminates antiquated homing procedures, so the operator can turn on the system and start measuring immediately. The Absolute Encoders provide probing volumetric accuracy down to ±0.023mm depending on the model. The articulating arm also features low profile, Zero-G counterbalance to stabilize its weight for one-handed operation and effortless control above and below its centerline.

ROMER’s tube inspection system utilizes the Data Overlay Camera System (DOCS) software platform. Pictures can be taken with the arm’s onboard digital camera, and DOCS overlays the tube wire frame onto the digital picture. This enables the inspection report to show exactly how the tube was supported or fixtured during measurement. DOCS communicates with most CNC bender interfaces, so corrected bend data can be sent directly to the CNC bending machine, reducing the process of trial and error associated with manual measurements. DOCS user training is generally 2 days as compared to 5 to 6 days for traditional CMM software.

About Hexagon Metrology, Inc.

The company is a business unit of Hexagon AB (Stockholm, Sweden), Hexagon's is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Stockholm exchange (HEXA-B) and has a secondary listing on the SIX Swiss Exchange. The Hexagon group consists of more than 12,000 employees located in 43 countries, and net sales of about 2.2 billion Euro.

Hexagon Metrology and Ford Tool & Gage Corp. Announce a Strategic Distributor Partnership

Ford Tool Gage to serve Wisconsin and Upper Michigan territories

Hexagon Metrology, Inc. today announced a new strategic distribution partnership with Ford Tool & Gage Corp. (Milwaukee, WI). The company will serve as an authorized distributor of Hexagon Metrology's Sheffield Measurement and Optiv product lines in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. Hexagon Metrology’s large portfolio of dimensional measurement products are used by manufacturers for quality control applications, and include programmable coordinate measuring machines, portable articulating arms, and inspection software under the brand names of Brown & Sharpe, ROMER and PC-DMIS. The new partnership leverages the strong suits of both companies to address the technology needs of manufacturers producing complex, precision parts.

“Ford Tool & Gage Corp. is excited to be representing Hexagon Metrology’s Sheffield and Optiv product lines, as both are excellent additions to our current product offerings. We represent the very best names in the metrology marketplace, and these industry leading products will greatly enhance our ability to provide state-of-the-art technology and solutions for our customer’s dimensional inspection needs,” states Bill Ruf, President of Ford Tool and Gage Corp.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome Ford Tool & Gage Corp. into our North American distribution network," said Angus Taylor, president and CEO of Hexagon Metrology, Inc. "Their competence in the industrial market with over 75 years of combined gaging experience, and their geographic coverage in the Midwest ideally complement our existing network. Ford Tool & Gage Corp. will provide a high level of customer service and more local coverage in this key territory.”

About Ford Tool & Gage Corp.

Ford Tool & Gage Corp. is a privately held company based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Over the past 50 plus years, Ford Tool & Gage Corp. has strictly focused on providing dimensional inspection solutions in the Upper Midwest including Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota and the U.P. of Michigan. This specialized focus has allowed Ford Tool & Gage Corp. to share Metrology expertise with our customers. Ford Tool & Gage Corp. has created and maintained strong customer relationships over the years in the Upper Midwest thru the service that their people provide as well as the excellent Metrology products that they represent. More information is at http://www.FordToolAndGage.com.

About Hexagon Metrology

Hexagon Metrology Supplies Ultra Accurate Measuring System to Milwaukee Machine Works

Precision Machining Company Enhances Capability with Leitz PMM-G

Hexagon Metrology, Inc. announced that precision component manufacturer Milwaukee Machine Works has purchased a Leitz PMM-G ultra-accurate coordinate measuring machine. The Leitz measuring machine has a supersized measuring capacity of three meters wide by four meters long, and two and a half meters high, tailor made for the large scale machined components that are a Milwaukee Machine Works specialty. The PMM-G is a gantry configuration machine that allows large scale parts up to 30,000 pounds to be easily moved inside for precision measurement. It also boasts the highest accuracy specifications for its size, enabling ultra precision measurements to be made for case, cover and housing parts for the wind, off-highway and mining industries which comprise MMW’s typical customer base.

“This new machine is a huge enhancement to our capabilities,” said Mike Manna, General Manager of Milwaukee Machine Works. “We are known for tackling the toughest, highest precision, turning and machining jobs in the business—jobs that other shops just don’t have the capability or expertise to handle. Now we will have a measuring machine with the size, capacity and accuracy to handle the very largest parts we are capable of making—single parts that are the size of small cars.”

Milwaukee Machine Works also plans to keep the new machine busy by pursuing ISO/IEC 17025 certification and offering contract inspection services to other manufacturers in the area. “Not everyone can have a machine with this capability, so when we’ve got available machine time, we’re also going to offer high accuracy inspection services to the local manufacturing community,” said Manna.

“Milwaukee Machine Works has always been a good customer of Hexagon Metrology, and represents the best of what American manufacturing is capable of,” said Jack Rosignal, Vice President of Sales for Hexagon Metrology, Inc. “We are pleased that the first PMM-G Coordinate Measuring Machine to be installed in America is going to a company like Milwaukee Machine Works, that has the commitment to precision manufacturing and the highest quality standards.”

The new Leitz PMM-G is scheduled to come on line in Milwaukee Machine Works’ ISO 9001:2008 certified facility by the second quarter of 2011.

About Hexagon Metrology

The company is a business unit of Hexagon AB (Stockholm, Sweden), a publicly-traded company (Nasdaq OMX Stockholm: HEXA B). The Hexagon group consists of nearly 11,000 employees located in 42 countries.

About Milwaukee Machine Works

Milwaukee Machine Works is one of the most experienced suppliers of machined components to the Wind Energy market place in the 1000MM to 2 meter size range. Additionally, Milwaukee is a key supplier to Major Off-Highway and Agricultural manufacturers supplying 500-1600MM components in significant volumes while holding exceptionally tight tolerances.

Hexagon Metrology enters into Cooperation Agreement with GE

Affords Significant Commercial Benefit in Industrial Computed Tomography

Cobham, United Kingdom, February, 23, 2011 – Hexagon Metrology, the world’s largest metrology group, has significantly enhanced its capabilities by entering into a commercial cooperation with GE Measurement & Control Solutions. This exciting collaboration will see the first computed tomography system introduced into Hexagon Metrology’s key industry segments within the next few months.

Hexagon Metrology is part of the Hexagon AB Group, and includes leading metrology brands such as Brown & Sharpe, Leica Geosystems and Leitz. It boasts a comprehensive global installed base of Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs), portable measuring systems and handheld instruments, as well as tens of thousands of metrology software licences. As Norbert Hanke, President Hexagon Metrology, explains, “It has always been our strategy to offer the most comprehensive portfolio of metrology solutions. We consider the cooperation with GE as the next logical step in this philosophy.”

GE sees the collaboration as an ideal match, marrying its expertise as a technology leader in industrial and healthcare computed tomography with Hexagon Metrology’s strong presence in a wide range of industrial sectors, its metrology know-how and its market-leading software. ”With its global sales network and its metrology application expertise, we believe that Hexagon Metrology will greatly help to boost the use of computed tomography in industrial metrology,” states Juan Mario Gomez, General Manager of Radiography, GE’s Measurement & Control Solutions business.

GE Measurement & Control Solutions
Measurement & Control Solutions is part of GE Energy Services and is a leading innovator in advanced, sensor-based measurement, non-destructive testing and inspection and condition monitoring, delivering accuracy, productivity and safety to a wide range of industries, including oil & gas, power generation, aerospace, transportation and healthcare. It has over 40 facilities in 25 countries.
For further information visit: www.ge-mcs.com

GE Energy
GE (NYSE: GE) is a diversified infrastructure, finance and media company taking on the world’s toughest challenges. From aircraft engines and power generation to financial services, health care solutions and television programming, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs about 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.

GE serves the energy sector by developing and deploying technology that helps make efficient use of natural resources. With nearly 85,000 global employees and 2010 revenues of $38 billion, GE Energy www.ge.com/energy is one of the world’s leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technologies. The businesses that comprise GE Energy—GE Power & Water, GE Energy Services and GE Oil & Gas—work together to provide integrated product and service solutions in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as water, wind, solar and biogas; and other alternative fuels.

Hexagon Metrology
Hexagon Metrology is part of the Hexagon AB Group and includes leading metrology brands such as Brown &Sharpe, Cognitens, DEA, Leica Geosystems (Metrology Division), Leitz, m&h Inprocess Messtechnik, Optiv, PC-DMIS, QUINDOS, ROMER and TESA. Hexagon Metrology brands represent an unrivaled global installed base of millions of Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs), portable measuring systems and handheld instruments, and tens of thousands of metrology software licenses. Hexagon Metrology empowers its customers to fully control manufacturing processes that rely on dimensional precision, ensuring that products manufactured precisely conform to the original product design. The company offering of machines, systems and software is complemented by a wide range of product support, aftermarket and value-added services. www.hexagonmetrology.com

Sheffield Measurement Launches Endeavor 3 CMM Product Line

Next-generation CMM features new sizes, models, sensors, and greater accuracy

North Kingstown, RI – July 21, 2010 – Hexagon Metrology, Inc. today announced the immediate availability of the Endeavor 3 CMM, the next generation of their Endeavor CMM product line. This popular line of vertical coordinate measuring machines introduces new sizes, additional models, improved sensor support, and a boost in accuracy performance from the previous generation. The Endeavor 3 is designed to address a wide range of dimensional measurement requirements for the start-up manufacturer purchasing their first coordinate measuring machine, to a large manufacturing operation looking for multiple CMMs with a maximum price-to-performance ratio.

The new machine is precision manufactured at Hexagon Metrology’s headquarters factory located in Rhode Island, and is checked and certified to meet the most rigorous application test procedures required by B89 and ISO standards. Offered in two models, the Endeavor 3 is suitable for touch trigger applications, while the Endeavor 3 Plus is targeted at more demanding tactile and non-contact scanning applications. The Endeavor 3 Plus offers extensive sensor support including the Leitz LSP-X1 and LSP-X3 tactile scanning probes. In addition, the Endeavor 3 Plus supports the CMM-V and CMM-Ve vision sensors, and the ScanShark non-contact laser scanning sensor.

“The Endeavor 3 and Endeavor 3 Plus provide a great value for our customers,” remarked Hexagon Metrology Product Manager, Eric Bennett. “We have expanded the number and type of supported sensors, and now offer nine standard sizes ranging from 5.5.5 up to 12.30.10. Top that with high performance, CAD capability, and the improved accuracy needed for the ever increasing number of high-tolerance parts. This next generation product line combines the versatility of tactile scanning, non-contact scanning and optical imaging, while maintaining an extremely attractive price point.”

About Sheffield Measurement

Sheffield Measurement brings more than a century of experience to the design and manufacture of dimensional measurement products. Sheffield’s Cordax® brand CMMs have been adopted by hundreds of companies around the world for the dimensional inspection of their precision manufactured parts. More information can be found at www.SheffieldMeasurement.com.

About Hexagon Metrology

Hexagon Metrology serves the high precision measurement and inspection needs of worldwide manufacturers with its extensive line of metrology hardware, software, accessories, and customer services. The company's name-brand portfolio of quality assurance products include Brown & Sharpe, CogniTens, Leica Geosystems, ROMER, Sheffield, PC-DMIS, DEA, Leitz, and TESA. Hexagon Metrology has an unrivaled installed base of more than 1.5 million handheld, stationary and portable measurement devices, and over 30,000 seats of PC-DMIS metrology software. More information is at www.HexagonMetrology.us

The company is a subsidiary of Hexagon Measurement Technologies, a business unit of Hexagon AB (Nacka Strand, Sweden), a publicly-traded company (OMX Nordic: HEXA B). The Hexagon group consists of nearly 8,200 employees located in 30 countries.

Hexagon Metrology USA Launches Online Store

Training classes, parts and accessories now available through e-commerce

North Kingstown, RI – June 28, 2010 – Hexagon Metrology, Inc. announced the official opening of HexagonStore.com, an e-commerce portal for the United States that offers online purchase of training classes, parts and accessories for metrology systems. The store includes convenient purchasing of PC-DMIS and GD&T training class seats by date and location, a complete line of TESA and Renishaw Styli products, CMM fixturing kits from R&R and Rayco, and Leica Geosystems laser tracker parts and accessories.

“This new, easy way to purchase training and metrology accessories was developed in response to requests from our customer base,” remarked Al Chiasson, general manager of Hexagon Metrology Services. “The convenience of being able to quickly order products, even after business hours, is a real time-saver. We are planning to expand our product categories leading up to the IMTS show in September.”

The store can be visited at www.HexagonStore.com, or www.CMMStyli.com for the top of the stylus section. Purchases shipping to USA-based addresses only are accepted.

About Hexagon Metrology

Hexagon Metrology serves the high precision measurement and inspection needs of worldwide manufacturers with its extensive line of metrology hardware, software, accessories, and customer services. The company's name-brand portfolio of quality assurance products include Brown & Sharpe, CogniTens, Leica Geosystems, ROMER, Sheffield, PC-DMIS, DEA, Leitz, and TESA. Hexagon Metrology has an unrivaled installed base of more than 1.5 million handheld, stationary and portable measurement devices, and over 30,000 seats of PC-DMIS metrology software. More information is at www.HexagonMetrology.us

Hexagon Metrology Introduces the ROMER Absolute Arm

The new ROMER Absolute Arm is the first portable measuring arm with absolute encoders. This portable CMM can attain high levels of speed and productivity when taking 3D measurements.

Hexagon Metrology introduces a new generation of ROMER portable 3D measuring arms to the market. The ROMER Absolute Arm is the most accurate ROMER CMM ever manufactured. It is also the first measuring arm to have absolute encoders, a development that will greatly simplify the inspection process. This technology avoids the earlier need with all measuring arms to initialize the encoders – now the user can simply switch the machine on and start measuring.

The ROMER Absolute Arm is especially notable for its low weight and systematic, ergonomic design. Additional grip positions and a perfectly balanced main tube ensure the operator can work productively without fatigue during the inspection. “With its WiFi capability and high-capacity rechargeable batteries, the ROMER Absolute Arm can operate wirelessly. Our customers can select from two levels of precision and seven arm-lengths between 1.5 and 4.5 m”, explains Pirmin Bitzi, Hexagon Metrology product manager for portable measuring arms. The ROMER Absolute Arm is immediately available. Hexagon Metrology will be presenting the ROMER Absolute Arm for the first time at the CONTROL trade fair in Stuttgart,Germany from May 4 - 7, 2010.

ROMER measuring arms perform 3D inspections of countless industrial parts, in particular in the metal and plastic machining industries. Thousands of companies across all continents use ROMER products in product development, production, assembly and quality control.

About ROMER

ROMER is the originator of the portable measuring arm (first created in 1986). The technological advance, the know-how, the demand for constant quality in the manufacture of the arms, the international presence are the main strengths of ROMER. Other products from ROMER include scanning probes for reverse engineering, non contact probes for tube inspection and milling of raw materials.

www.romer.com

About Hexagon Metrology

Hexagon Metrology is part of the Hexagon AB Group and includes leading metrology brands such as Brown & Sharpe, CE Johansson, CimCore, CogniTens, DEA, Leica Geosystems (Metrology Division), Leitz, m&h Inprocess Messtechnik, Optiv, PC-DMIS, QUINDOS, ROMER, Sheffield, Standard Gage and TESA. Hexagon Metrology brands represent an unrivaled global installed base of millions of Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs), portable measuring systems and handheld instruments, and tens of thousands of metrology software licenses. Hexagon Metrology empowers its customers to fully control manufacturing processes that rely on dimensional precision, ensuring that products manufactured precisely conform to the original product design. The company offering of machines, systems and software is complemented by a wide range of product support, aftermarket and value-added services.

www.hexagonmetrology.com

Hexagon Metrology Releases PC-DMIS 2010

Measuring software capabilities enhanced with new features

Hexagon Metrology today announced the release of PC-DMIS 2010, the latest version of its market-leading CAD-based metrology software. PC-DMIS is developed by Wilcox Associates Inc, a Hexagon Metrology company. PC-DMIS 2010 is a family of software products covering a variety of metrology hardware platforms and solutions sold under the banner of Enterprise Metrology Solutions (EMS). PC-DMIS 2010 rolls out enhanced versions of PC-DMIS CMM, PC-DMIS Portable and PC-DMIS Vision software. The release also introduces new products such as PC-DMIS Planner and the DataPage+ suite of products.

“PC-DMIS 2010 is a major product release for the metrology industry, not just an incremental software upgrade,” said Ken Woodbine, president of Wilcox Associates, Inc. “2010 is the culmination of development projects that have been in the works for several years. It also includes new hardware categories that have been added to the Hexagon Metrology group since the last major release of PC-DMIS. For example, the integration of PC-DMIS Portable with the new Leica TDRA6000 Total Station is a significant new interface. Our software development team is extremely excited about this release and we know our customers will be too.”

Feature Highlights

The core product of the EMS suite is PC-DMIS CMM, which is used primarily on automated Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs). It offers many new functional and productivity improvements across the board. A new feature allows users to select animation path lines and either insert a safety move at the point of selection or jump to that command location in their part program. This feature is ideal for the users who have very large part programs and want to easily navigate within them.

PC-DMIS 2010 offers enhanced support for the new Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) ANSI Y14.5 2009. New Comment functionality allows users to display pictures, videos or text to aid the operators in executing a measurement routine.

Other new measurement capabilities include total integration with the supported non-contact 3D laser line sensors. New capabilities for non contact sensors include enhanced visualization of all parameters for programming laser-based 3D geometric features, as well as easy re-execution of laser based measurement routines. PC-DMIS 2010 has been enhanced to handle the large point clouds that are commonly gathered with these types of sensors.

PC-DMIS 2010 is now available for shipment with Hexagon Metrology brands Brown & Sharpe, DEA, Leitz, Leica Geosystems and ROMER. It is retro-fittable as a software upgrade for most other CMM makes and models. Existing customers with current software maintenance agreements are eligible for a free upgrade to PC-DMIS 2010.

Wilcox Associates (PC-DMIS)

Founded in 1990, Wilcox Associates, Inc. is the developer of PC-DMIS, the world’s leading CMM software, and Enterprise Metrology Solutions (EMS), a tightly integrated suite of software products focused on the collection, evaluation, management and presentation of manufacturing data. These products allow manufacturers to quickly capture dimensional data, analyze it and act on it to reduce scrap, improve throughput and reduce costs. Wilcox Associates, Inc. employs over 100 talented software engineers located worldwide working in a collaborative environment. They are dedicated to bringing our customers the best metrology software technology possible.

www.wilcoxassoc.com

www.pcdmis.com

Hexagon Metrology

www.hexagonmetrology.com

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Hexagon Metrology introduces new motorized probe heads for CMMs

Hexagon Metrology today announced the immediate availability of new versions of the Tesastar-m and Tesastar-sm motorized probe heads for DEA and Brown & Sharpe coordinate measuring machines. These new variants of the popular motorized probe heads offer a 7.5 degree indexing increment for maximum compatibility with legacy products.

The new Tesastar-m and Tesastar-sm versions deliver -180 to +180 degrees of revolution and 0 to 105 degrees of pitch for a total of 720 indexable positions. The Tesastar-sm has the added benefit of an “in the quill” mount, thus increasing the effective measuring range along the CMM’s Z axis. With equivalent positioning compatibility with other legacy products on the market, the new probes also offer a distinct advantage by offering indexing speeds up to twice as fast.

As with the original 5 degree increment Tesastar motorized probe heads, all are available in both M8 and Tesa Kinematic Joint (TKJ) versions. The M8 versions provide a mechanical interface suitable for connection to standard M8 touch trigger probes like the Tesastar-mp. The TKJ versions are for contact and non-contact scanning probes like the LSP-X1 and CMM-V video probes. Furthermore, the new probe heads are fully compatible with existing Tesastar-e and Tesastar-ae probe head controllers, Tesastar probe extensions and the Tesastar-r probe rack.

Tesa
Established in 1941, Tesa SA manufactures and markets today more than 5,000 dimensional metrology products, ranging from high-precision hand-held tools to sophisticated measuring systems. CMM products and vision systems for non-contact measurement are now also included.
Most of them are produced under the Swiss Made Label. A worldwide direct sales and distribution network is one of the major assets of the Swiss company whose primary markets are the automotive, aerospace, watch-making and metal processing.
www.tesabs.ch

Hexagon Metrology
Hexagon Metrology is part of the Hexagon AB Group and includes leading metrology brands such as Brown & Sharpe, CE Johansson, CimCore, CogniTens, DEA, Leica Geosystems (Metrology Division), Leitz, m&h Inprocess Messtechnik, Optiv, PC-DMIS, Quindos, Romer, Sheffield, Standard Gage and Tesa. Hexagon Metrology brands represent an unrivaled global installed base of millions of Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs), portable measuring systems and handheld instruments, and tens of thousands of metrology software licenses. Hexagon Metrology empowers its customers to fully control manufacturing processes that rely on dimensional precision, ensuring that products manufactured precisely conform to the original product design. The company offering of machines, systems and software is complemented by a wide range of product support, aftermarket and value-added services.
www.hexagonmetrology.com

Hexagon Metrology Introduces New Motorized Probe Heads for CMMs

New versions of the popular TESASTAR-m and TESASTAR-sm series motorized probe heads adds greater compatibility with legacy products

North Kingstown, RI – March 17, 2010 – Hexagon Metrology, Inc. today announced the immediate availability of new versions of the TESASTAR-m and TESASTAR-sm motorized probe heads for Brown & Sharpe and Sheffield branded Coordinate Measuring Machines shipped from the North Kingstown, Rhode Island factory. These new variants of the popular motorized probe heads offer a 7.5 degree indexing increment for maximum compatibility with legacy products.

The new TESASTAR-m and TESASTAR-sm versions deliver -180 to +180 degrees of revolution, and 0 to 105 degrees of pitch for a total of 720 indexable positions. The TESASTAR-sm has the added benefit of an “in the quill” mount, thus increasing the effective measuring range along the CMM’s Z axis. With equivalent positioning compatibility with other legacy products on the market, the new probes also offer a distinct advantage by offering indexing speeds up to twice as fast.

As with the original 5 degree increment TESASTAR motorized probe heads, all are available in both M8 and TESA Kinematic Joint (TKJ) versions. The M8 versions provide a mechanical interface suitable for connection to standard M8 touch trigger probes like the TESASTAR-mp. The TKJ versions are for contact and non-contact scanning probes like the LSP-X1, ScanShark laser line probe, and CMM-V and -Ve video probes. Furthermore, the new probe heads are fully compatible with existing TESASTAR-e and TESASTAR-ae probe head controllers, TESASTAR probe extensions, and the TESASTAR-r probe rack.

Hexagon Metrology

Hexagon Metrology is part of the Hexagon AB Group and includes leading metrology brands such as Brown & Sharpe, CogniTens, DEA, Leica Geosystems (Metrology Division), Leitz, m&h, PC-DMIS, QUINDOS, ROMER, Sheffield and TESA. Hexagon Metrology brands represent an unrivaled global installed base of millions of CMMs, portable measuring systems and handheld instruments, and tens of thousands of metrology software licenses. Hexagon Metrology empowers its customers to fully control manufacturing processes that rely on dimensional precision, ensuring that products manufactured precisely conform to the original product design. The company offering of machines, systems and software is complemented by a wide range of product support, aftermarket and value-added services. More information can be found at www.HexagonMetrology.us

Hexagon Metrology and Ellison Technologies Inc. Announce West Coast Partnership

Ellison will become Authorized Distributor of Hexagon Metrology Products in CA, NV

North Kingstown, RI – March 16, 2010 – Ellison Technologies, Inc., the largest distributor of Computer Numeric Control (CNC) machine tools and metal cutting solutions on the US west coast, and Hexagon Metrology, Inc. of North Kingstown, RI, the world’s largest supplier of metrology equipment and software, today announced a strategic distribution partnership at Ellison’s “Technology Days” event.

The Santa Fe Springs and Berkley, CA regional offices of Ellison Technologies will become authorized distributors of Hexagon Metrology’s dimensional measurement products across California and Nevada. Hexagon Metrology products are used in quality control applications for manufacturing and include programmable coordinate measuring machines, portable articulated arms, and software solutions under brand names like Brown & Sharpe, ROMER, PC-DMIS, Sheffield and more.

“This new partnership represents a tremendous opportunity for our California customer base,” said Graham Hooper, president of Ellison Technologies, Western Region. “Our focus is to provide our customers with the latest technological advances needed to stay competitive. Hexagon’s broad line of superior measurement products reconfirms that commitment.”

“We are extremely pleased to have a distributor of Ellison’s caliber onboard on the west coast,” said Angus Taylor, president and CEO of Hexagon Metrology, Inc. “The western United States has long been an important market for Hexagon Metrology products, particularly in the aerospace and medical markets. With the addition of Ellison’s extensive coverage and unrivaled expertise in applying manufacturing solutions to technologically sophisticated applications, we will be able to bring our unique lineup of metrology products to more customers than ever.”

The partnership allows both companies to more effectively serve the increasingly sophisticated requirements of the manufacturing community throughout the western United States, particularly in the aerospace, defense, automotive, energy, wind power, and heavy machinery markets.

The first formal event where both companies will participate together will be Ellison’s “Technology Days” event on March 16 and 17th, at Mori Seiki’s Cypress, CA showroom, where ROMER portable metrology products will be on display. Ellison Technologies will also join Hexagon Metrology at Westec 2010, Los Angeles Convention Center, March 23-25, in Booth 2601 as part of Hexagon Metrology’s “Shop Floor Zone” theme.

About Hexagon Metrology

The company is a business unit of Hexagon AB (Nacka Strand, Sweden), a publicly-traded company (OMX Nordic: HEXA B).

About Ellison Technologies

Ellison Technologies is the largest machine tool distributor in North America, representing 80% of the metal cutting market. With 20 locations across the U.S., Ellison is committed to the survival and growth of the American manufacturing industry. In addition to distributing the latest CNC machine tool technology, Ellison provides engineering service support, turn-key solutions, robotic automation and machine financing. For more information visit: www.ellisontechnologies.com.

Renscan5™ retrofit upgrade at GE Oil and Gas

“Huge reductions in inspection time and the ability to measure form – REVO® has opened a new frontier”

GE Oil and Gas Florence has transformed the performance of a DEA Global CMM with a retrofit system direct from Renishaw, allowing far higher data collection rates and thus form analysis, never before practically possible on the DEA CMM

Every year, GE Oil and Gas invites customers to an open house at its factory in Florence, Italy. This year 800 customers saw the results of a GE Oil and Gas New Technology Introduction project - a DEA Global coordinate measuring machine (CMM), retrofitted with a Renishaw REVO® system and measuring impeller parts at a dramatic speed.

As Claudio Bartali (Manufacturing Technology Project Leader) explains “The demonstration was spectacular – inspection time on a typical impeller reduced by 4 times. However, that is not the main reason we started the project and employed Renishaw to retrofit the CMM with REVO. The exciting part will start soon when we use the massive amount of accurate REVO-measured data to compare the form of inspected surfaces with the 3D CAD models.”

The retrofit, performed directly by Renishaw with its own experienced engineers, replaced the previous head, touch trigger probe, DEA controller and PC-DMIS® software with the Renishaw Renscan5™ system - REVO 5-axis scanning head, UCC2 controller and MODUS™ software.

Saverio Chiari (Manufacturing Technology Leader) is delighted with how smoothly it went, “The Renishaw service is very good – they are very focused on customer support and have been very supportive in the changeover to REVO.”

With a requirement for 100% inspection, there is a high demand on the CMMs and programming systems, which need to adapt constantly. At the GE plant in Florence, the DEA Global is used to perform dimensional inspections on components varying in size and geometry up to 1000 mm diameter.

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Hexagon Metrology Unveils New Feature Rich Touch Screen Jogbox

Rugged Handheld Input Device for Brown & Sharpe and Sheffield Branded CMMs

Hexagon Metrology, Inc. announced the availability of the Universal Jogbox, a new handheld input device for Brown & Sharpe and Sheffield branded Coordinate Measurement Machines (CMMs) shipped from the North Kingstown, Rhode Island factory. Incorporating a modern touch screen interface with an ergonomic design and soft-touch materials, the Universal Job Box was designed first and foremost to be extremely tough, designed to withstand the rigors of industrial use with improved resistance to drops and similar shocks.

“Not only does the Universal Jogbox offer improved reliability and robustness, but we’ve also included many new features that will streamline the programming and operation of our Brown & Sharpe and Sheffield branded CMMs,” remarked Hexagon Metrology Product Manager, Eric Bennett. “From the layout of the touch screen interface to the new interaction features with our PC-DMIS measurement software, we’ve taken into consideration how our customers use the CMM and designed a handheld device that optimizes the workflow.”

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Red Bull Racing Given Wings Thanks to Leica Measuring Equipment Supplied by Hexagon

Microns in industrial metrology mean hundredths of a second in Formula 1. Precision and reliability are what matters in both fields. In this elite class of motor sport, manufacturing tolerances are not a matter for discussion — any deviation from the specified values could cost a race victory, lose valuable points or ultimately the world championship title. The Austrian owned, UK-based Red Bull Racing Team relies on Hexagon Metrology as an Innovation partner. The Leica Absolute Tracker and the Leica T-Probe are generating lots of enthusiasm at the Milton Keynes factory.

Chris Charnley, Quality Manager at Red Bull Technology (the design and manufacturing part of Red Bull Racing), came straight to the point, “We have no time for mistakes.” The manufacture of Formula 1 cars demands precision and the highest standards in the development and manufacture of vehicle components. “Basically in our business we are continuously developing prototypes,” said Charnley. During the racing season, the general shortage of time felt by Formula 1 racing teams builds up to extreme levels; major modifications to the design to optimise the aerodynamics of the cars have to be completed in the period between two races — normally two weeks. “That’s what you call high pressure,” said Charnley. “Working nights and weekends then becomes the rule, but we have a lot of fun doing it, especially when we see the success of our efforts in the race.”

The range of applications for the Leica Absolute Tracker in the day-to-day development environment is wide and varied. Quality Engineer Mike Hughes is frequently contacted by the designers when they wish to check the dimensional integrity of a new component. “They come to us and ask not just if we could measure the part — they ask us for a ‘Leica-Check’. The measurement results from our four Leica Geosystems Laser Trackers are reliable and authoritative, and word has got around.”

Red Bull Technology measures the assembled racing cars, as well as the individual components. Formula 1 is a sport and sports have rules. The dimensions of the cars are strictly defined. 'Legality checks' are all part of the routine before every grand prix. Compliance with maximum and minimum limits is confirmed quickly and easily with the Leica Absolute Tracker and the Leica T-Probe. Jon Roberts, Metrology Specialist, described his experience, “There are many critical points on a Formula 1 car. We check the wings on the front and rear, the overall width of the vehicle, even the position of the pedals. Everything must be perfect down to the finest detail. With the Leica T-Probe, the difficult-to- access areas are simply more points to measure.”

Hexagon Metrology: Global technology partner

If worst comes to worst, Hexagon Metrology has already proved its worth as an innovation partner to Red Bull Racing. If the Formula 1 Team’s metrology engineers have to carry out a particularly difficult measurement, Hexagon Metrology technical service staff are there offering moral and practical support — if necessary, at a moment’s notice. The Hexagon Metrology Regional Service Centre in Milton Keynes is only a few miles from the Red Bull Racing and Red Bull Technology HQ. Even when the Formula 1 entourage sets off around the world, Red Bull Racing can depend on Hexagon Metrology’s global presence. The Red Bull Racing measuring system usually stays at home. For an event in Spain however, the racing engineers urgently needed an accurate measuring machine. One phone call was enough; Hexagon Metrology in Barcelona quickly made a Leica Absolute Tracker available.

The machinery park at Red Bull Technology includes several product generations of Leica Geosystems Laser Trackers. These systems are in use at the Red Bull Racing wind tunnel at Bedford. During the aerodynamic tests, the Laser Tracker continuously analyses how the model vehicle deforms in the wind. In addition, Red Bull Technology uses DEA coordinate measuring machines and a third-party CMM that has been modified with a Hexagon Metrology retrofit package.

Leica Absolute Tracker: A brilliant all-purpose tool

Charnley summarised, “The Leica Absolute Tracker is a brilliant all-purpose tool and without doubt one of our best investments. The speed of measurements justifies the investment by the time saved on component measurement. We are always discovering more uses for it. Accuracy, portability and reliability inspire the team. The Leica Absolute Tracker has played an important role in our many successes.”

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