CogniTens Introduces Multilingual Software Version for its White Light 3D Measurement and Digitizing Systems

Supporting global implementations at leading OEMs and Suppliers facilities

London, United Kingdom – October 7, 2009 – CogniTens, part of Hexagon Metrology and a leading provider of 3D measurement systems, announced today the launch of its latest software suite. This latest release titled Version 4.1 will be available in several languages. It offers localized language along with other improvements for CogniTens Optigo™ and OptiCell™ systems.

In this first multilingual release, five languages will be made available including Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese and English. The version features a multilingual user interface for operating the devices, on screen results and annotation, messages, editable objects, reports, etc - all in the selected language. This software release includes multilingualism for the following products:

Optigo Measurement – software used to control the Optigo operation, carry out dimensional measurements, produce inspection reports and generate high quality 3D outputs for reverse engineering or advanced studies.

OptiCell Teach & Automatic Measurement – software used to program new automated routines, execute approved robotic inspection programs, and analyze 3D measurement results on-line.

CoreView Plan – software used for accelerating tasks of planning, defining and preparing comprehensive dimensional measurement programs for OptiCell and Optigo systems.

CoreView Pro - software offering easy-to-use tools for dimensional measurement analysis, visual SPC, quality inspection reporting and collaboration based on OptiCell and Optigo white light measurement results.

CoreView Lite – 3D metrology results viewer for cross company collaboration and quality improvements based on CogniTens CoreView format for full surface, feature and edge measurements.

The need for greater operational flexibility has increased for global manufacturers making daily use of CogniTens systems in their facilities around the world. This latest enhancement allows customers to operate the Optigo and OptiCell systems, train new users, and exchange 3D metrology data between different facilities with greater ease.

The CoreView Lite results viewer is available for free download from the CogniTens website at: http://www.cognitens.com/59-en/Downloads.aspx

About CogniTens

CogniTens is a leading provider of comprehensive dimensional measurement solutions, focused on improving engineering and manufacturing processes in the automotive and other manufacturing industries. Through its Optigo and OptiCell product lines based on innovations in 3-D non-contact measurement technology, especially designed for manufacturing environments, CogniTens allows its customers to significantly improve product quality, shorten development cycles, and cut manufacturing costs. CogniTens’ solutions enable its customers to run efficient product development processes and production launches.

www.cognitens.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, 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 Acquires Germany's Mahr Multisensor

LONDON, UK, Oct 5, 2009 - Hexagon Metrology has announced today it has acquired all the outstanding assets and technical intellectual property of Mahr Multisensor GmbH. Hexagon Metrology will reorganize the business, and has agreed to employ certain technical service, development and application engineering staff from Mahr Multisensor GmbH.

The vision business unit and products will be integrated into Hexagon Metrology, the world’s largest industrial measurement group, incorporating the leading industry brands Brown & Sharpe, CE Johansson, CimCore, CogniTens, DEA, Leica Geosystems (Metrology Division), Leitz, m&h Inprocess Messtechnik, PC-DMIS, ROMER, Sheffield and TESA.

“This acquisition will further enhance our worldwide product offering in multisensor vision technology and confirms Hexagon Metrology’s commitment to offer the widest range of measuring systems for all industrial applications,” said William Gruber, CEO and President of Hexagon Metrology.

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, 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.

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

Polyworks to Interface Directly With Metris Handheld Laser Scanners

Metris will introduce its range of handheld 3D laser scanning solutions integrated into PolyWorks point cloud engineering software. This solution enables design and manufacturing professionals to take full advantage of using top-class Metris scanners in combination with leading point cloud analysis software to tackle inspection or reverse engineering tasks. Thanks to the new application programming interface (API), it becomes very straightforward for 3rd-party software vendors to integrate Metris 3D laser scanning.

Collecting geometry data with Metris’ leading-edge laser scanners becomes very easy for PolyWorks users. Completely transparent to PolyWorks users, Focus Handheld Scanning API manages point cloud acquisition by controlling all interaction between the laser scanner and handheld localizer of choice. Also modifying scanner parameters or running a qualification routine is handled by the Focus API, ensuring the highest accuracy and reliability of the acquired data. The resulting data is automatically stored in PolyWorks format and ready for further extensive point cloud processing.

Marc Soucy, President of InnovMetric Software, commented, “Major OEMs in the automotive and aerospace industries are relying on us to integrate industrial-strength point cloud digitizers and tactile probing devices within the PolyWorks universal platform. As Metris laser scanners, articulated arms, and optical tracking technologies have recently gained more market recognition, it was a logical step for us to develop software plug-ins for all of these instruments.”

The Focus Handheld API supports Metris ModelMaker in combination with K-Series Optical CMM as well as MCA Manual Coordinate Measuring Arm or 3rd‑party measuring arms such as Faro. Metris’ digital laser scanners offer superior optical and digital technology, translating into higher accuracy, automatic laser intensity adaptation and faster data acquisition.

With the new API, it becomes very straightforward for 3rd-party point cloud software vendors to integrate Metris 3D laser scanning. Over the next few months, users of NRK Spatial Analyzer, Delcam PowerINSPECT, Metrolog and other point cloud software will be able to use their Metris handheld scanners directly from within these applications. This provides design and manufacturing engineers fast-lane access to world-class laser scanning, while enjoying the convenience of the point cloud engineering environment they know inside out.

Email:	sales_uk@metris.com
Web:	www.metris.com

OGP introduces smart metrology concept

OGP has introduced its smart metrology concept, which is derived from the company's Smartscope range of multi-probe measuring systems.

Smart metrology represents OGP measuring systems that provide users with the required intelligence to adjust and control manufacturing processes via the presentation of easy-to-interpret measurement data.

The company claims that there are many measuring machines on the market capable of finding out-of-tolerance components that inevitably get designated as expensive rework or scrap.

However, by applying the concept of smart metrology, users can 'short cut' directly to any underlying problems in the manufacturing process that might be causing discrepancies.

While the latest OGP systems offer a range of multi-probe options, including touch, video and laser, measurement technology is said to be more than simply probes and sensors.

For instance, in terms of hardware, a rigid and well-engineered metrology frame is essential to carry the metrology devices (which must be calibrated within the system) and to help attain repeatable, reliable and accurate data.

For manufacturers that want to reduce statistical 'noise' (quantities of unexplained variation found in sample measurement), smart metrology solutions can help users to monitor data and discover what needs to be done in order to hold manufacturing processes at nominal.

Novel software presents measurement data in 'layman' terms, deskilling the task of process interrogation.

The report format allows customers to adjust manufacturing processes so that not only is scrap controlled immediately but the amount of inspection required is also reduced, thereby introducing direct savings to the bottom line.

According to the company, it frequently encounters manufacturers enduring +/-30 per cent statistical noise, where peak-to-peak values quantify scrap components.

However, using the concept of smart metrology, it is said to be possible to reduce noise to within +/-10 per cent - a figure targeted by manufacturers operating in demanding sectors such as automotive.

For example, the deployment of OGP's Smartscope multi-probe technology to measure cylinder heads is proving particularly effective.

Using a single system operating in a single temperature environment, measuring machine operators have the ability to switch between touch, video and laser probes/sensors without physical changeover, handling or the need to reset any alignments.

Conventional camera-based measuring systems with added laser technology have left many users dissatisfied as a result of the inevitable compromise to the working distance of the optics, leaving their true potential unfulfilled.

However, Smartscope CNC measuring machines are claimed to negate this issue thanks to the proprietary Telestar through-the-lens (TTL) laser.

TTL means that there is no offset between the laser and the optics, allowing users to measure recesses up to 200mm deep without obstruction issues.

Telestar can still measure when its path is blocked by up to 60 per cent.