As a senior applications engineer, one of my tasks is to train customers to correctly operate a laser tracker. This month, I would like to share with you some common in-field experiences and issues that I encounter with those who use a laser tracker on a day-to-day basis.

With more than 20 years of exposure to all types of metrology equipment—conventional optics to total stations, photogrammetry, laser trackers, and scanners—I’ve seen the value of all these instruments. I, like many of you, have experienced the hardships of a poor measurement process and not understood all the pitfalls that each measurement tool brings with it.

The laser tracker is a powerful tool that can be used for many different applications, including dimensional inspection, scanning, and real-time alignment of large parts. With a range of 80 meters or more, the laser tracker has been my most versatile tool. The laser tracker uses a laser for linear distance and encoders for azimuth and horizontal angles. Interfaced with specialized 3-D software, the laser tracker can obtain spherical 3-D coordinates on an object relative to a common origin.

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