Laser scanner combines CMM and seven-axis arm

Hexagon Metrology has brought out a combination laser-scanning metrology package.

The package combines a Brown and Sharpe Global Performance bridge CMM with a Romer Infinite 2.0 seven-axis portable arm.

Also included is a Scanshark V4ix laser scanner that is plug-and-play swappable between both systems.

The key to the compatibility is the Tesa kinematic joint, which 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.

Eric Bennett, product manager for bridge products at Hexagon, said: '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.

Shared systems can perform double duty as inspection systems as well as performing reverse engineering and 3D point cloud gathering tasks.

Either machine can perform 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 and Sharpe Global Performance bridge CMM (there are nine standard sizes available), a Romer Infinite 2.0 seven-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.

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