by Dirk Dusharme
Welcome to the Coordinate Metrology Systems Conference show preview. This year's show in Orlando, Florida, July 17-21, will showcase the latest technologies for portable 3-D metrology and assembly from 35 vendors representing nearly 50 companies. From articulating arms and laser trackers to infrared global positioning systems and photogrammetry, you'll see portable 3-D systems capable of measuring everything from a turbine blade to a Boeing 777.
This year's show also reveals a trend toward laser-guided assembly, where laser projection systems take the place of templates for component placement or feature locating, in some cases providing both 3-D assembly assistance and component measurement.
Tying everything together, of course, is software. Advances in real-time data capture from almost any 3-D metrology system combined with advanced point-cloud analysis have greatly increased companies' ability to instantly verify a product's dimensional accuracy or alignment compared to a CAD model.
As interesting as the products are, the highlight of the CMSC is the variety of application-specific white papers that will be demonstrating how a particular 3-D technology or, more often, combination of technologies, has been used to solve measurement problems. Here are just a few of the white papers that will be presented:
• Multiple reflection techniques used to measure and model a British cannon recovered from the battle of Yorktown
• Basic to advanced CMM skills for Southern California manufacturers
• High-speed noncontact measurement solutions
• Large-scale metrology instrument performance evaluations at NIST
• Underwater photogrammetric verification of nuclear fuel assemblies via natural-feature measurement
• Multisensor coordinate metrology
• Awin-win solution for metrology interoperability
• Measuring thruster location and direction for NASA's STEREO solar science mission
• Close-range photogrammetry: beyond industrial metrology
• Optically jointed probing systems for large-volume coordinate metrology
The following is a list of exhibiting vendors along with a brief description of their products being shown at this year's CMSC. The table on page 21 will help you locate vendors with products of specific interest to you.
3D MEDiA Co. Ltd.
www.3dmedia.co.jp/en
3D MEDiA Co. specializes in high-accuracy photogrammetry. Its technology includes coded targets, retrotargets, pattern projection and stereo heads.
Its 3DM-FotoMetrics product is a photogrammetry system that automatically computes the 3-D coordinates of retrotargets in images taken by a precalibrated digital camera, at an accuracy as high as 1 over 150,000 of the measurement space. The system can process the images simultaneously while the camera takes and transmits new images. The product is now being used in automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, and bridge and tunnel measurements.
4G Metrology Ltd.
www.4gmetrology.com
4G Metrology specializes in the provision of industrial metrology solutions.
In conjunction with companies such as Brunson, Accurex, ATT Metrology and SMX Laser Trackers, 4G Metrology has been instrumental in projects at Airbus, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Nordam and Voith Siemens. More recently, 4G Metrology has developed ScAlert, which provides wireless, accurate, traceable and reliable part-temperature monitoring of components during inspection, alerting the user if scaling needs to be applied to the job due to part expansion.
Accurex/AICON
www.accurexmeasure.com
At the CMSC, Accurex Dimensional Measurement Systems will feature the OptoTOP-HE 3-D scanning system, which has the ability to produce high-quality scans from 30 mm to 2.5 m in size. The system can provide high-resolution 3-D data in black and white, or color.
Accurex will also feature the wireless GapGun3 hand-held system for measuring gap and flush.
Accurex also handles TubeInspect for tube and duct measurement, and the DPA-Inspect photogrammetry system.
ActiCM
www.acticm.com
ActiCM designs, manufactures and markets a complete range of coordinate measurement systems.
ActiCM produces two photogrammetry- based products, Actiris 350 and Advent. The Actiris 350 has a measuring envelope of up to 3.5 cubic m with a volumetric accuracy of ± 75 mm at 2 sigma. The Advent is a high-speed, fully automated robot-mounted photogrammetry system capable of measuring an entire car body in 30 minutes with an accuracy of up to 50 mm.
Assembly Guidance Systems Inc.
www.assemblyguide.com
Assembly Guidance Systems Inc. is a leading supplier of advanced, stand-alone and integrated laser-projection systems.
Assembly Guidance's MicroLASERGUIDE projector features AutoFocus and data-driven AutoAim, with targetless and wireless options. AutoFocus automatically compensates for varying projection distances, while AutoAim enables projection throughout a sphere. LaserNow software provides instant display from any digital model, whether reverse engineered or from any standard CAD system: CATIA v4 or v5, AutoCAD, etc. The MicroLASERGUIDE system also supports Automatic Ply Verification, which verifies and documents proper lay-up sequence, ply presence, material type and fiber orientation.
ATT Metrology Services Inc.
www.attinc.com
ATT Metrology Services provides precision measurement and equipment leasing services. The ATT team is highly skilled in 3-D measurement technology and has worked with major manufacturers that fabricate, inspect, reverse engineer, and develop advanced vehicles, aircraft, communication systems and facilities. ATT clients span many industries, including aerospace, automotive, manufacturing, scientific, marine, construction, communication/antenna and entertainment. ATT is continually adding the latest in equipment and software to its inventory to meet customers' needs.
Automated Precision Inc.
www.apisensor.com
Automated Precision Inc. will exhibit the Tracker3 at the CMSC. The heart of this advanced tracker is the unique, on-the-shaft mounting of the laser head unit. API's design houses a complete laser interferometer, position-sensing device and absolute distance meter (ADM) optics in one assembly. As a result, the laser beam exits the tracker head without going through a single bending mirror. Thermally induced measurement errors are minimized, resulting in high instrument stability and accuracy.
Bolton Works
www.bolton-works.com
Bolton Works is a system integrator of equipment for inspection and reverse engineering using noncontact 3-D scanning technology.
Bolton Works combines Steinbichler white-light scanners with InnovMetric Polyworks software for reverse engineering and inspection. Robotics are used to increase throughput while improving both repeatability and completeness of the data.
At the CMSC, Bolton Works will display a flexible 5-axis inspection cell that combines the high-resolution Steinbichler Comet IV with Polyworks software for automated report generation.
Brunson Instrument Co.
www.brunson.us
Brunson specializes in manufacturing support accessories for all types of metrology equipment. The company's spherically mounted retroreflector (SMR) target adapters are manufactured at its cave in Kansas City. Brunson also manufactures highly precise optical instruments that have been a standard for decades.
At the CMSC, Brunson will launch its all-new line of SMR target holders and accessories for the metrology marketplace. The company will feature several products, including SMR target adapters, invar scale bars for calibration and certification, and its Millennium series instrument stand.
Capture 3D
www.capture3d.com
Capture 3D helps implement measurement systems for inspection and reverse engineering applications. Capture 3D's ATOS is a widely accepted white-light scanning system for quality applications. Customers include Boeing, NASA, Pratt & Whitney, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Ford, DaimlerChrysler, Honeywell and others.
At the CMSC, Capture 3D will display the ATOS white-light scanning system integrated with TRITOP photogrammetry, which provides a complete part-measurement solution, from turbine blade internals to full-size aircraft.
Delcam
www.delcam.com
Delcam supplies advanced product-development solutions for manufacturing.
PowerINSPECT, a software package based on Delcam's own kernel, incorporates unique, optimized mathematical methods for ease of use, control and flexibility. It delivers rapid inspection of complex parts and tools by comparing the manufactured item with the 3-D CAD model. With PowerINSPECT, inspection can be performed with all types of inspection hardware, including manual and computer numeric controlled (CNC) CMMs, portable arms, optical measuring devices and CNC machine tools.
Dimensional Photonics International Inc.
www.dpi-3d.com
Dimensional Photonics International manufactures highly accurate digital shape scanners for portable and automated manufacturing applications. Depending on the application, scans are accurate to within microns and can be acquired in seconds. DPI scanners will work on most machined (i.e., shiny) surfaces without sprays or coatings. DPI scanners don't require targets or photogrammetry systems.
The AFI 5000P that will be demonstrated at the CMSC will have a half-meter field of view and be able to scan with accuracies up to 25 µm.
Exact Metrology Inc.
www.exactmetrology.com
At the CMSC, Exact Metrology will present the Perceptron V5 Laser Line Scanner with a scan rate of 458,000 points/second on a portable CMM, and the Microscan 3-D articulated arm CMM and laser scanner with a scan rate of 28,000 points/second, which is priced below $30,000. It will also demonstrate the Breuckmann StereoSCAN white-light scanner, which gives three different scan angles at once and is offered as a 1.4 megapixel or 6.6 megapixel system.
FARO Technologies Inc.
www.faro.com
FARO Technologies has released the LS 420, a low-price, short-range scanner for companies that don't require the extended range of the company's premium LS models. Its interchangeable modular design enables customers to upgrade to an even higher-accuracy version by purchasing a single module instead of an entire scanner.
The LS 420 has a range of 20 m and, like its long-range predecessors that offer 40 m and 80 m ranges, has high-speed, phase-shift-based scanning with ± 3 mm accuracy in averaging mode.
Geodetic Systems Inc.
www.geodetic.com
Geodetic Systems develops and markets the V-STARS family of 3-D coordinate measurement systems for applications in diverse industries such as aerospace, automotive, power generation, antennas and shipbuilding.
V-STARS photogrammetry consists of one or more cameras, a notebook computer with proprietary software and various accessories. V-STARS travels easily from factory floor to off-site plants and has been used for precision measurement applications in environments ranging from the extreme cold of Antarctica to the blistering heat of the Equator.
Geomagic Inc.
www.geomagic.com
Geomagic software enables engineers and designers to transform scan data from physical objects into highly accurate digital models.
Geomagic Studio creates accurate digital models from existing parts for reverse engineering, rapid prototyping, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis and finite element analysis (FEA). Geomagic Qualify is used for computer-aided inspection and enables companies to achieve complete inspection quickly. Geomagic Blade is a software extension developed specifically for turbine blade inspection, including aerospace, turbine-generated power grid, propulsion turbines, specialized compression equipment and others.
Hexagon Metrology
www.hexagonmetrology.net
Hexagon Metrology is one of the world's largest manufacturers of dimensional measurement products, encompassing brands such as Brown & Sharpe, CimCore, DEA, Leitz, Leica Geosystems, ROMER, TESA and Sheffield.
At the CMSC, Leica Geosystems will display the laser-tracker-based Universal CMM, equipped with the T-Probe II for wireless measurement and the T-Scan for high-speed digitization. ROMER will show its most accurate portable arm CMM, the INFINITE. These systems are designed to inspect large assemblies such as airframes, where fixed metrology platforms make inspection impossible or impractical.
Hubbs Machine & Manufacturing Inc.
www.hubbsmachine.com
Hubbs Machine & Manufacturing has been a leader in the design, manufacturing, inventory, and distribution of targets, adapters and related products in support of industrial survey systems for 21 years.
Visit the Hubbs booth to see the various targeting and accessories that the company designs, manufactures, inventories and distributes for theodolite, photogrammetry and laser tracker systems. Ask for the free CD version of Hubbs' catalog, which includes Hubbs manufacturers' suggested retail pricing.
InnovMetric Software Inc.
www.innovmetric.com
InnovMetric is the developer of PolyWorks software. PolyWorks Version 9.1 point-cloud analysis software accepts high-density point-cloud data from any 3-D digitizer, articulated arm, coordinate measurement machine, laser tracker, etc., and uses the data for inspection or reverse engineering
PolyWorks enables the deployment of standardized methods throughout the entire organization for comparing parts to CAD, analyzing geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), virtually gaging dimensions, meshing high-density point clouds and rapidly surfacing digitized meshes.
Inora Technologies
www.inora.com
Inora Technologies' software offers 100-percent reliable results even if up to 49 percent of the data are corrupt, tainted or missing altogether.
INORAsrs (spatial reference system) is a highly accurate 3-D artifact combined with an analysis tool to determine volumetric accuracy and predict calibration cycles of any CMM or machine tool.
WISEgap is an accurate and reliable gap-measuring device. Wireless sensors easily measure hidden gaps on all types of closures and fixtures.
INORAme (math engine) enhances existing software packages by providing data-evaluation capabilities for process control, data analysis, scientific prediction, or research and development data computation.
Konica Minolta Sensing Americas Inc.
www.konicaminolta-3d.com
Konica Minolta will feature The VIVID 9i noncontact color 3-D digitizer. The VIVID 9i scans an object and converts it into a 3-D polygonal mesh or a color-textured image. It's used for rapid prototyping, reverse engineering, online quality control inspection of production parts, tool and die verification, and a variety of other applications. The VIVID 9i can capture large parts with the optional photogrammetry system PSC-1.
Laser Projection Technologies Inc.
www.lptcorp.com
Laser Projection Technologies manufactures fast, accurate laser projection systems designed for manufacturing applications. LPT 3-D templating systems eliminate hard tooling and assembly templates.
At the CMSC, LPT will introduce its newest model, the LPT10 feature recognition targetless laser projector. The LPT10 laser projector can align itself to the features of a part or tool without requiring retro-reflective targets or cameras, either internal or external. Once parts are placed, the LPT10 can scan the part and measure its position.
Metris
www.metris.com
Metris designs, develops and markets a range of 3-D hardware and software inspection systems. Their product portfolio includes bridge and horizontal arm CMMs, optical CMMs, CMM laser scanners, hand-held laser scanners, laser radars, infrared global positioning satellite (GPS) tracking systems and all the necessary complementing application software.
The Metris laser radar provides fully automated, noncontact measurement and inspection capability for large-volume applications of up to 60 m. The Metris iGPS (infrared GPS) is a modular, large-volume tracking and positioning system enabling factorywide localization of multiple objects with high accuracy.
Metrix 3D
www.metrix3d.com
Metrix develops portable-metrology software. Its Metrix3 coordinate metrology software is designed entirely for use with portable metrology systems. It combines the power of probe-based and scanning systems to support measurement, inspection and reverse engineering processes. It brings productivity and clarity to measurement, inspection and reverse engineering processes using a traceable, model-based approach to measurement planning, GD&T, and native support for CATIA, UG-NX and other design systems.
Metrologic Group SA
www.metrologic.fr/uk
Metrologic Group specializes in the design and manufacture of 3-D control software and electronics.
Metrologic recently released a point-cloud analysis tool as a new optional module to all existing and new Metrolog users. It provides the ability to collect and perform full analyses of point-cloud-based data, coming either from external sources or from 3-D scanners directly connected to Metrolog. This new function can be used in conjunction with portable equipment, or more conventional manual or DCC laser-based measuring systems.
Metron Systems Inc.
www.metronsys.com
At the CMSC, Metron will showcase its G2 laser scanner, a fast, dimensional measurement solution for both inspection and reverse-engineering applications. The Metron G2 is a fully integrated measurement and analysis system that encompasses scanning, point-cloud manipulation and comparative analysis with CAD resources.
Metron's G2 possesses speed, accuracy, field of view and the ability to scan highly reflective parts, which together provide an alternative to more costly, time-consuming touch-probe products.
Metronor AS/AIMS
www.metronor.com
Metronor has developed a range of high-accuracy portable coordinate measuring systems based on a standard laptop, firewire cameras and a hand-held wireless probe, with a range beyond 20 m and accuracies down to 20 mm.
The AIMS business unit markets software solutions developed by The Boeing Co. and Metronor. AIMS allows direct connection of CAD to metrology equipment and enables full geometry integration between OEMs and suppliers using existing hardware and software platforms. It works over the Internet and collects data for analysis and improvement.
NDI
www.ndigital.com
NDI designs, manufactures and markets portable metrology solutions for part-to-CAD and reverse engineering applications, and analysis of complex motion.
Specifically designed for the shop floor, NDI's highly scalable OPTOTRAK PROseries combines optical technology and wireless functionality. Track, measure, scan and perform guided assembly with a universal optical tracker that integrates a variety of measurement devices, including optical spherically mounted retroreflectors (SMR), optically tracked targets, versatile digitizing probes and hand-held laser scanners.
Neptec
www.neptec.com
Neptec's laser metrology system (LMS) is a cost-effective turnkey solution for high-precision, 3-D noncontact metrology. LMS combines the power and flexibility of a noncontact scanner with the precision and simplicity of a contact probe. The LMS is capable of making direct standoff measurements using noncontact technology--without the need to create, download, store and analyze full 3-D models.
New River Kinematics
www.kinematics.com
New River Kinematics is the developer of SpatialAnalyzer (SA), a traceable metrology 3-D graphical software platform that can simultaneously communicate to virtually any number and type of dimensional measurement systems while performing complex analysis tasks. SA allows users to build, inspect, and reverse design parts and tools with any portable measurement technology. A common user interface and intuitive, graphical, programmable environment help improve product quality and decrease production time.
Northwest Laser Tracking
Northwest Laser Tracking rents FARO laser trackers on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. Although renting is typically available only to those customers with in-house trained operators, Northwest Laser Tracking offers this same option to companies that lack measuring expertise. Its comprehensive training programs and on-the-job training can make your operators productive on task-specific applications in very little time.
At the CMSC, Northwest Laser Tracking will feature the most up-to-date laser trackers on the market as well as a selection of software to help evaluate your metrology needs.
Paul W. Marino Gages Inc.
www.pmargage.com
Paul W. Marino Gages supplies 3-D metrology tooling and accessories to the coordinate measuring machine industry. Its American Modular Tooling line of modular fixturing for CMM workholding is made of high-strength 7075-T6 aluminum. Every element has been carefully designed for maximum efficiency and cross-system adaptability.
Paul W. Marino also sells styli and accessories for all FARO portable CMMs and the new KOBA-step mini artifact for small CMMs, now available in lengths of 210 mm and 310 mm.
QMC
www.qmc.com
QMC is an integrated quality solution provider of dimensional engineering services, CM4D data-management software and robotic inspection systems. QMC integrates the latest technology in dimensional engineering, variation simulation modeling, inspection technology and integrated data management.
QMC will be featuring the COMET IV scanner, Steinbichler scanners for 3-D digitizing of free-form surfaces, InnovMetric's PolyWorks software for processing complex point-cloud data, and CM4D for data collection and rich, 3-D graphical reporting accessible via network or the Web.
Rapidform Inc.
www.rapidform.com
Rapidform provides software solutions for the inspection and reverse engineering of 3-D scan data.
The company's rapidformXO Redesign allows users to create fully parametric CAD models from 3-D scan data. Once a part has been modeled in rapidformXO Redesign, a fully editable CAD model with complete modeling history can be exported to a variety of CAD applications. Also, rapidformXO Verifier maximizes the innovations in 3-D scanner technology, offering extremely accurate scan-to-scan and scan-to-CAD inspection results.
Verisurf
www.verisurf.com
Verisurf software provides solutions for users of virtually all measurement devices. The software provides a single platform for inspection, digital build, reverse engineering and more.
At the CMSC, Verisurf will unveil new model-based definition (MBD) functionality that not only includes direct import of native Catia V5 models, but also imports Catia's functional tolerancing and annotation (FT&A) tolerancing information. Verisurf not only imports this information but uses it live in an active role during inspection.
Virtek iLS Integration
www.virtek.ca/products_iLS.asp
Virtek's iLS Integration Group is an advanced technology integrator that specializes in manufacturing cell automation. It works with clients to incorporate and customize measurement and laser projection technology for large-scale, laser-assisted manufacturing processes.
At the CMSC, the Virtek iLS team will exhibit sample components and subsystems that demonstrate how it has applied its design expertise to deliver laser- and metrology-guided assembly systems capable of addressing the problems of measuring the accurate position of parts or assemblies over a large volume.
W.N.B.C. in L.A.
www.retrotargets.com
W.N.B.C. in L.A. supplies adhesive-backed targets to aerospace companies, automotive manufacturers, automotive design centers, medical equipment manufacturers, shipbuilders and even a couple of NASCAR teams. W.N.B.C. has a target series that can survive at both high and low temperatures. Targets for ambient temperature work can be cleanly removed from most hard surfaces without leaving an adhesive residue. Targets are available in either a retroreflective or contrast configuration.
Dirk Dusharme is Quality Digest's editor in chief.
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