3DScanCo To Resell Low-Cost, Portable Artec™, Creaform, and 3Shape Laser Scanners

3DScanCo (a division of Laser Design, Inc.) announced that it is now  reselling easy-to-use, low-cost Artec™, Creaform, and 3Shape 3D scanners.  The addition of these new low-cost lines of 3D scanners improves 3DScanCo’s ability to provide the appropriate scanner to their customers and makes the company a leading reseller of quality economy and portable 3D scanning systems. 

 The Artec 3D Scanners use 3D video cameras that capture a three-dimensional image in each frame and then combine them automatically into a single mesh.  The scanning process is as easy as walking around the object while continuously “videoing” it from 360 degrees.  The video-based scanners’ outstanding measuring speed of up to 500,000 points per second make them many times faster than laser scanners and they can be used to scan moving objects as well as stationary ones.  Various models allow digitizing of a broad range of object sizes, textures, and colors.  These highly portable scanners can be used in your own lab, onsite at clients’ locations, or even outside.  This type of scanner will open new possibilities to customers for use in sports, animation, fashion, medical, and computer graphics applications where motion capture is needed as well as in more traditional industries such as architecture, prototyping, and manufacturing.

Creaform 3D scanners are low-cost, high-accuracy portable systems designed to scan medium to large objects. When portability is important, these systems lend themselves to a wide range of applications in virtually any location.  They are especially well suited to reverse engineering applications of large products and models.

Automatic desktop scanning for small objects is the forte of the 3Shape scanners.  Used mainly in the dental, hearing aid, and jewelry industries, the systems capture precise three-dimensional data quickly and easily for items up to 3 cubic inches.  The automatic setup speeds production of complex parts at an economical cost.

C. Martin Schuster, President and CEO, commented, "3DScanCo strives to offer premier 3D portable scanning systems to our customers. These Artec, Creaform, and 3Shape scanners, along with other portable and economy scanners we offer, provide excellent scanning capabilities at a lower cost than most other 3D scanning technology systems."

3DScanCo is happy to provide virtual demonstrations of the versatile new lines of scanners.

For further information about 3DScanCo and Laser Design, call 952-884-9648 or visit us online at: www.3dscanco.comAbout Laser Design, Inc. (LDI).

About 3DScanCo and Laser Design

3DScanCo, a division of Laser Design, resells existing technology including portable low-cost scanners and develops custom 3D scanners and software. Laser Design, Inc. and GKS Global Services, its in-house service bureau, have been leading suppliers of ultra-precise, 3D laser scanning systems, along with CT scanning, dimensional inspection, 3D laser scanning, and long-range scanning services for over 29 years. 

The Calibration of Parallel-CMM: Parallel-Coordinate Measuring Machine

Introduction
The Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) is widely used for the 3D measurements of objects. Traditional CMM is based on a serial mechanism: the components from base unit to end-effecter i.e. base unit, x-axis, y-axis, z-axis and measuring probe are connected serially. But some drawbacks of this mechanism are its weakness against external force and the accumulation of errors. Therefore CMM tends to become large and heavy in order to avoid the influence of the bending and twisting of its components and to decrease measurement errors.

Because of its weight, it has been a very difficult problem to make large CMM capable of fast 3D measurement. We develop a new type of CMM based on a parallel mechanism where the base unit and end-effecter are connected by six links parallel. The advantages of this mechanism are its robustness against external force and error accumulation[1]. Therefore we will able to make larger measuring machine that can measure large objects quickly. On the other hand, there are some disadvantages by using parallel mechanism for CMM. One is the difficulty in the calibration of CMM. Because of its difficulty in solving its forward kinematics and large number of parameters its geometrical model includes, it is hard to calibrate parallel mechanism efficiently.

To make the calibration of parallel CMM easy, we make our prototype by using unique spherical joint consists steel balls and magnets. That allows higher repeatability of positioning and setting-up. At first, the prototype of parallel CMM that has been developed in our laboratory is introduces.  Next we discuss about the parameters we should identify to calibrate parallel CMM and how to calibrate it. Lastly, we give the suggestion of the method to calibrate our prototype efficiently.

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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

CALYPSO Software Available for Non-ZEISS CMMs

CALYPSO software now offers more direct interfaces to non-ZEISS coordinate measuring machines. This is good news for customers looking to add the benefits of CALYPSO to other CMMs and it will allow you to run existing CALYPSO measurement plans or create new ones. Having direct interfaces to the controller allows you to add CALYPSO to your existing machine without removing the legacy software platform. Call us to find out how CALYPSO software can provide a common software platform and increase functionality.

Software upgrades from Carl Zeiss give you the opportunity to operate both ZEISS and non-ZEISS machines with a uniform software technology. With direct interfaces to many non-ZEISS controllers, Carl Zeiss software upgrades usually do not require the expense of a new controller and other costly hardware. All software upgrades also allow a dual-system operation to provide the ability to run old part programs through the legacy software.

Non-ZEISS Controllers Supported

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

Maxitec unveils InspecVision’s Planar Optical Probe

InspecVision’s Planar Optical Probe, distributed in Australia by Maxitec, has been released as a standalone optical coordinate measuring machine.

Parts inspection with portable optical coordinate machine.

The Opti-Probe is designed for high-accuracy parts inspection and reverse engineering. The lightweight and portable Opti-Probe CMM uses a handheld probe in conjunction with a high-resolution camera, which images and locates the probe’s markers.

Any image taken is then downloaded to a computer which calculates the 3-D location of the device, allowing measurements to be taken.

The Opti-Probe is suitable for a large variety of components and materials, such as pressing, forgings, and mouldings; materials that can be measured include metals, polymers, wood, glass, and rubber.

In addition, it is useful in the reverse engineering of 3D parts, and the geometry of tools, dies, robots, and jigs can be certified online using the optic probe.

PowerInspect Lite software compares against all mainstream CAD formats, allows rapid alignment even for complex freeform shapes, allows inspection of user defined sections and gives the ability to inspect along edge parts.

Hexagon Metrology Initiates Litigation Against Metris and Mitutoyo

Patent Infringement Suit Concerns U.S. Patent No. 5,829,148, Portable Articulated Arms

LONDON, July 16, 2009 (CMM Quarterly) -- Hexagon Metrology has filed a patent infringement suit in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts alleging that Metris N.V. and its U.S. subsidiary Metris U.S.A., Inc., and Mitutoyo Corporation and its U.S. subsidiary Mitutoyo America Corporation, have infringed U.S. Patent No. 5,829,148 by importing into the U.S. and offering to sell infringing portable arms.

"Hexagon Metrology welcomes fair competition," says William Gruber, President of Hexagon Metrology, "but we will not stand by if competitors use our protected technology, which our customers recognize and rely upon and which has given us a leading position in the metrology industry."

The suit seeks to prevent Metris and Mitutoyo from importing, offering for sale or using the infringing portable arms in the U.S.

Hexagon Metrology sells articulated arms in the U.S. under the brand name ROMER.

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, 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 Expands Equipment Rental Programs

CMMs and Portable Arms Added to Rental Equipment Choices

North Kingstown, RI - July 8, 2009 - Hexagon Metrology Inc. has announced expanded equipment rental options for its bridge CMM, portable arm and laser tracker product lines. Brown & Sharpe Bridge CMMs such as Global and ONE are now available in most popular sizes and option packages for rental periods of six months or more, ROMER portable arms are available for weekly or monthly rentals, and Leica Laser Trackers are available for monthly terms. Skilled equipment operators are optionally available by contract with each type of equipment.

“Equipment rentals are a service that we have offered for many years with our Leica Laser Trackers,” said Al Chiasson, director of aftermarket services. “We decided to expand our offerings in recognition that in these extraordinary times, our customers are exploring alternative options to acquire the equipment they need. The unique thing about the Hexagon model is that we can offer not just the equipment, but also the on-site operator support. We have Hexagon staff under contract at customer locations around the country delivering tangible benefits to our customers each day with all our equipment types—bridge CMMs, portable arms and laser trackers. The expansion of rentals is just another way that Hexagon Metrology is demonstrating our ability to deliver value added products and services on a worldwide basis.”

More information on Hexagon Metrology’s equipment rental options for the USA is available on www.HexagonMetrology.us.

About 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.com

With laser scan, Mount Rushmore to get virtual tours

MOUNT RUSHMORE -- Mount Rushmore National Memorial is set to get a three-dimensional digital recording, park officials announced Friday.

Laser scans by a partnership will give the National Park Service the ability to develop a digital model for virtual tours of the memorial and its entire park site, memorial superintendent Gerard Baker said.

"We're going to open it up so the citizens of America and the world can see things they've never seen before," Baker said.

CyArk, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization that scans historic cultural sites with the cutting-edge laser technology, will conduct the scanning with the cooperation of several local firms and the Scottish Ministry of Culture. The project will start sometime in late September and wrap up in two weeks.

Wyss Associates in Rapid City and the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology are partners in the scanning effort.

The laser scanning technology has being used to scan and digitally record five historic cultural sites in Scotland, and that country will assist with the scanning of five cultural heritage sites worldwide, starting with Mount Rushmore. The site is one of 500 sites CyArk hopes to scan and preserve a digital record. The company has already digitally preserved two dozen sites around the world, including places in Italy, Egypt, Cambodia and Mexico.

The virtual tours of Mount Rushmore and the surrounding grounds could serve as a way for tourists to view the sites in what Scottish Culture Minister Michael Russell called a "Star-Trekkie" way.

"In those circumstances, you can take some pressure off the places themselves," he said.

The scanning project will provide a three-dimensional digital model capable of re-creating sculpted surfaces with an accuracy of less than 1 centimeter. Both ground and air-based radars will scan the grounds.

"We're hoping we can put the monument and the structures here in the context of the overall park," Ben Kacyra of CyArk said.

The completed scanning data also will be stored in the Hall of Records for posterity and help explain the carving project to future civilizations. The electronic model also could provide guidance, in the event of damage to the sculpture, to replicate carved surfaces.

The Leica Absolute Tracker is now equipped with PowerLock

This vision technology automatically locks onto any moving target without user intervention. Current laser tracker technology requires that the operator pays careful attention that the laser beam between the tracker and the target is not interrupted. Catching the beam requires the operator to find the laser beam, and then physically pass the target through the beam before the tracker can start measuring again. According to some customers this process interruption can account for up to 20% of their total measurement time.

PowerLock prevents from such interruptions. By utilizing a vision system built into the Leica Absolute Tracker the sensor can now determine where a target is without the need for the laser beam to be locked on. The Leica Absolute Tracker locks on to the target automatically as soon as it is within view of the sensor. This allows the operator to focus on the part they need to measure without constantly worrying about the laser tracker and whether or not they have broken the beam. PowerLock works with all standard reflectors and all Leica T-Products.

The PowerLock technology will be released to the market in summer 2009. Any Leica Absolute Tracker purchased from today on will be upgraded to this functionality free of charge at release. All Leica Absolute Trackers in the market will be able to be upgraded to this technology for a small charge in a local Hexagon Metrology service center.

Video: http://metrology.leica-geosystems.com/en/Downloads_6843.htm?cid=6393

Leica Geosystems Metrology Products

Whether building the fastest car, the biggest plane, or the most precise tooling, you need exact measurements to improve quality and productivity. So when it has to be right, professionals trust Leica Geosystems Metrology to help collect, analyze, and present 3-dimensional (3D) data for industrial measurement. Leica Geosystems Metrology is best known for its broad array of control and industrial measurement products including laser trackers, Local Positioning Technology (LPT) based systems, hand-held scanners, 3D software and high-precision total stations. Those who use Leica Geosystems Metrology products every day trust them for their dependability, the value they deliver, and the world-class service & support that’s second to none.

Precision, reliability and service from Leica Geosystems Metrology.

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, 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.

Laser 3D Scanning Technology Widely Used for Military Defense Contract Inspection

From the Space Shuttle to high tech military jets, 3D laser scanning inspection has reached every level of military defense contract inspection. A few years ago, laser technology was instituted to scan the Space Shuttle for potential errors and flaws, allowing difficult-to-inspect areas to be accurately measured and compiled for analysis.

Since then, 3D laser scanning technology has been implemented in all levels of military defense inspection, allowing accurate measurements in a 3 dimensional form that eliminates all guess work by presenting the data as it is accurately depicted. This allows equipment, parts and tools to be accurately measured and compared to as-designed CAD models, allowing flaws to be instantly identified so they can be repaired.

The accuracy and precision that military technology requires demands that the laser scanning and contract inspection company be ITAR certified. Without that certification, there’s no guarantee the inspection will meet the rigorous demands of military applications. (This was the paragraph added to put in the requirements they wanted)

When implemented for contract inspection, laser technology improves the safety, reliability, and useful life of high valued equipment where lives may indeed be at stake. It provides the accurate data necessary in the field of defense, leaving no room for guess work by projecting data that accurately fits the status of the equipment being scanned.

What’s ideal about the new developments in 3d laser scanning technology is its increasing portability, allowing the equipment to be taken anywhere so that equipment can be checked in the field. Installments of any size can be scanned, from a Humvee to a fighter jet, right there in the field. This allows for the kind of detailed-specific quality inspection that’s so essential when lives are at stake.

Laser scanning scans the equipment as is, not just how it’s designed to be. This helps identify flaws to be fixed before they become a problem where lives are put on the line.

Laser technology can even be used to accurately access the hulls of ships while still in the water, no matter how big. Ship hulls can involve complicated geometric shapes, especially when they involve the complexity and scope of military design. 3D laser scanning produces an exact model of the ship’s hull while still in the water, identifying any flaws or weakness for potential repair.

The safety an accuracy of military infrastructure has been greatly improved through the development of laser technology when used for product inspection, improving the safety of the equipment as well as the lives of the personnel who operate them.

KREON TECHNOLOGIES announces new partnership in the USA

KREON TECHNOLOGIES, the French specialist in 3D scanning solutions for reverse engineering and quality control applications announces the creation of a new partnership, with GoMeasure3d, for the distribution of its products in North America

A strategic alliance

KREON TECHNOLOGIES is pleased to announce its new partnership with GoMeasure 3D, an American company specializing in sales of 3D measurement solutions for reverse engineering and quality control. For KREON, this is the opportunity to develop its activity in the US market and to have a local intermediary. " This agreement will enable us to provide the American market with our products in addition to a local customer service, which is one of KREON main values" explains Thierry Rebillard, the manager of KREON TECHNOLOGIES. GoMeasure 3D will provide the Northern American market with the overall KREON range of laser scanners. "This partnership will bring options of precision nerver before available in this market at such an affordable price" declares Darryl Motley, CEO of GoMeasure 3D.

Today, KREON presents a wide range of scanning solutions designed to address specific challenges in non contact measurement so as to meet the largest number of customers' needs. "The advantage are the high quality for the price and the range of options for the customer available in the KREON line. We believe we will be able to provide the highest quality portable CMM an laser solutions to industry" says Darryl Motley.

About GoMeasure 3D

GoMeasure 3D has been in the digitizing, reverse engineering and inspection business for over a decade. It provides measurement solutions for an array of customers including manufacturing engineers, graphic artists, the medical field, universities and more. The company is famous for supplying the customer with a complete solution of hardware, software and training that allows them to simplify their tasks and to increase productivity as well. "The experience of GoMeasure 3D in the 3D measurement solutions field is very important for KREON. That is why we are very confident in working with them" explains Thierry Rebillard. Regarding his new KREON distributor status, Darryl Motley declares "we chose to work with KREON because of its excellent reputation in the worldwide marketplace and we wanted to bring those quality products to the US market. KREON will give us the tools we need to make our customers successful".

To know more about GoMeasure 3D, email at info@gomeasure3d.com

www.gomeasure3d.com

Hexagon Metrology Ships CMM Arm-Scanner System

NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI - Hexagon Metrology, Inc, announces the immediate availability of a combination laser scanning metrology package, which combines a Brown & Sharpe Global Performance bridge CMM with a ROMER INFINITE 2.0 7-axis portable arm with a ScanShark V4ix laser scanner that is plug-and-play swappable between both systems. The key to the inter-compatibility is the TESA kinematic joint that is shared between all ROMER scanning arms and TESASTAR-m equipped bridge machines. Companies can invest in a single scanner that can be leveraged to the strengths of two different types of measuring platforms.

“This package leverages several existing Hexagon brands and technologies into one complete package offering,” said Eric Bennett, Product Manager for bridge products. “There are definitely times when scanning with an arm is the fastest and most effective technique, for example, when the part is large and must be measured in place. Conversely, if you have lots of smaller identical products you would like to scan repeatedly, then it is useful to set up a program to scan batches of them automatically. With this package, you don’t have to choose between one or the other.”

Dave Armstrong, Product Manager for portable products, added, “There was a time when the substantial investment in a laser scanner meant it came down to buying either the bridge machine or the arm. With our offering, you don’t have to choose, you can have both. Other systems where the scanner is integrated or the connectors are incompatible simply don’t have this flexibility.”

Shared systems can do double duty as inspection systems as well as performing reverse engineering and 3D point cloud gathering tasks Either machine is also capable of performing point-to-point inspection on its own without the scanner being attached, so both machines can be used simultaneously, regardless of which one happens to be using the laser scanner.

A shared scanner package comes complete with a Brown & Sharpe Global Performance bridge CMM (there are nine standard sizes available), a ROMER INFINITE 2.0 7-axis arm (there are six standard sizes available), a ScanShark V4ix probe, complete cabling, software and control boxes for each system, plus application software and a computer for each system. The packages are available for immediate shipment.

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, 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.

For more information, visit http://www.hexagonmetrology.us/

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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Verisurf Software Helps Vought Aircraft Increase Production

April 22, 2009, ANAHEIM, CA -- Technology is changing the face of aerospace manufacturing and quality assurance. No place is that change more welcome and dramatic than at Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc. in Hawthorne, California.

According to Paul Evans, Quality Assurance Lead, changes in processes and systems at his plant alone have saved literally thousands of dollars in time and costs. “At the heart of these changes,” said Mr. Evans – a 34-year veteran with Vought – “is our adoption of Verisurf Software to run our portable CMMs.” Vought first introduced Verisurf into its Hawthorne operations in 2007 when the software was selected for what Mr. Evans called an “across the board changeover … and to prepare for the ramp up for a major model change.”

Vought offers a full range of aero-structure fabrication and assembly capabilities to design and manufacture fuselage panels, empennage and flight control surfaces, nacelles, wings and doors, and other structures. “We build some really big products, up to 60-feet in length, for some of the biggest names in the aerospace industry,” said Mr. Evans. “In a nutshell, we’re a tier 1 subcontractor to companies like Boeing, Airbus, Gulfstream, Lockheed Martin, Sikorsky, Northrop Grumman, Bell Helicopter, Cessna and Embraer. As a result, everything we build has to meet stringent engineering specifications. But beyond that, we’re required to prove that we meet those customer specs. We’ve always met that challenge, but it hasn’t always been easy.”
Vought manufactures the majority of its products in sections, and then utilizes complex holding fixtures in assembly to ensure dimensional accuracy.

“Our products are very large, so the only sensible way to handle inspection is to do it in sections as they’re built,” explained Vought quality engineer Angel Diaz.

The company receives the majority of its specifications via CATIA solid models. The specs come with local and aircraft coordinates that are “stripped down” to give the product it’s own reference system. This process further speeds up inspection and analysis.

Said Mr. Evans, “On these structures our average tolerance is plus or minus thirty thousandths, which doesn’t sound like much, until you realize you’re dealing with structures up to 60-feet long. To make things worse we have to achieve those tolerances in changing temperature conditions, which can cause some pretty wild thermal expansion and contraction.”
Vought uses a combination of laser systems and portable CMMs for measurement. Laser systems measure the large structures, while portable CMMs are used for constructions that can be measured with a 6’ long arm. Before Verisurf, there were significant difficulties in analyzing inspection results and providing appropriate feedback.

Mr. Evans explained, “We’re dealing with large sheet metal assemblies, which are very flexible. In the past we would take a measurement, then come back and analyze it on a desktop computer with a couple of different software packages. Then we would see that the product was out of spec and needed to be twisted this way or that to bring it into alignment. We might have to do several iterations like that before we got it right. It was a very time consuming process.”

“Because our only proof at that point were a bunch of numbers on spread sheets, it was difficult to communicate. We really needed something that graphically illustrated the results of our analysis, and that is why we selected Verisurf Software.”

“Verisurf is a very powerful software package,” said Senior Measurement Engineer Joel Gasca. “It resides within Mastercam and uses all the power of Mastercam’s design module. The whole system comes on a disk and installs on a computer as easily as Microsoft Office. Our computers are already connected to the lasers and the CMM arms, and since Verisurf recognizes most of the portable CMMs out there, it was ready immediately to go to work with our systems.”

After more than two years on the job, clear and easy-to-understand graphics capability and instant answers continue to be the biggest benefits of Verisurf Software. The software is utilized to collect data through the laser and CMM tools and then provide analysis on the spot. It compares the real product against the solid model residing in Mastercam and gives Vought’s team instant and graphical error reports so that its customer, vendors and production specialists can see specifics.

“We’re now able to measure the product as it’s being built,” Mr. Gasca explained. “Previously we didn’t have that capability. All we could do was collect data and then go into some other room to analyze it. Now we’re able to take Verisurf down to the floor, call over the engineers and mechanics and show them exactly what’s wrong. They love it, because the longer an error goes before it’s found, the harder it is to fix.”

He continued, “I guess the bottom line for our department is that it used to take us sixteen hours to do an inspection on a large assembly, eight hours inspecting and another eight on the report. Now we can do the same job in six hours or less.”