Hexagon Metrology Introduces CMM-Arm-Scanner System

By DE Editors

Hexagon Metrology,  Inc. has announced the 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 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 take advantage of 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 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, cabling, software and control boxes for each system, plus application software and a computer for each system.

For more information, visit Hexagon Metrology.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.