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Secrets from Piedmont How a GLOBAL CMM is produced Pages 8-11 Hexagon Metrology Magazine Edition 01/2009 www.hexagonmetrology.com

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Page 1: measureup - w3.leica-geosystems.com · co-ordinate measuring machines for all its 3D ... coordinate measuring machine from the brand ... und Advantage CMMs

measureup

Secrets from Piedmont

How a GLOBAL CMM is produced Pages 8-11

Hexagon Metrology MagazineEdition 01/2009www.hexagonmetrology.com

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measureup 01/09

Enter the world of vision

The TESA technology brand is a

part of Hexagon Metrology and

offers a broad range of measure-

ment tools engineered in Switzer-

land. Vision machines are a sector

of the TESA world and constructed

for high-accuracy non-contact

measurement on delicate parts.

Closeup

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01/09measureup

Closeup

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01/09 measureup

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measureupNew: The magazine for the world’s largest measurement group

Eleven factories, twelve brands and 52 Precision Centers on all con-

tinents – Hexagon Metrology’s facts and figures. Industrial measure-

ment solutions is the name of our business. But metrology does not

only live on throughput and tolerances – passion for technology and

engaged people are our driving force. The new measureup genera-

tion offers you a look behind the scenes and shows who constructs,

builds and checks your machines. This issue takes you to the DEA

factory in Turin where you can observe the becoming of a coordinate

measuring machine. Situated in the heart of Europe is the Golden

City Prague – a perfect place for Leica Geosystems industrial theodo-

lites and laser stations to be carefully checked. Witness the service

process!

Enjoy the new magazine.

Your measureup editorial team

Secrets from Piedmont

Editorial

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Contents 2 Closeup

4 Editorial

6 Newsticker

12 PC-DMIS Corner

13 Success Story

17 Technology

19 Publishing details

19 Feedback

Contents

How a GLOBAL CMM is produced.

GLOBAL CMMs from the brand DEA are

flexible and exact. But how are such

measuring machines produced? measure-

up joined Production Manager Bartolino

Margiotta in the search for clues in North-

west Italy to disclose this secret.

8Secrets from Piedmont

7A man for all situations:

Lothar Schäfer, Applications Engineer

at Hexagon Metrology

14Service & Support

Inspect, evaluate, adjust then certify

equals accuracy and reliability

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6 Newsticker

What‘s up

CogniTens launched a European demon-

stration center for its fully automated 3D

measurement system, the OptiCell. The demo

system is operational at the Hexagon Metrol-

ogy Precision Center in Turin, Italy.

Hexagon Metrology has finalised a signifi-

cant collaboration agreement with GF

AgieCharmilles. Under the terms of the

commercial arrangement, Hexagon Metrology

becomes the preferred measurement partner

for the Swiss multinational. GF AgieC-

harmilles will now specify Hexagon Metrology

co-ordinate measuring machines for all its 3D

pre-setting and measurement applications.

Hexagon Metrology is offering attractive and

flexible rental programmes for all portable

product lines. Improving quality and perform-

ance has never been this easy.

Find your local contacts at

www.hexagonmetrology.com.

Three new measurement systems based on

the Leica Absolute Tracker were recently

delivered to the Volkswagen facility in Wolfs-

burg, Germany. Furthermore, Volkswagen

in Kaluga, Russia now uses a Leica T-Probe

system.

Hexagon Metrology Poland participated in a

project of the Institute of Forensic Research

in Cracow with the objective of scanning a

human skull and obtaining a 3D model that

identifies characteristic elements. The equip-

ment used was a ROMER Sigma arm with the

ROMER scanning probe G-Scan and the soft-

ware PC-DMIS Reshaper. The scanning took

30 minutes and included 2,000,000 points.

A high quality model was the result – a big

success for both the Institute of Forensic

Research and Hexagon Metrology.

New at Alstom Power in Poland:

A Leica Absolute Tracker with a Leica T-Probe

is applied for quality control and alignment

tasks.

Specifications of the Leitz Micra – the CMM

for small precision parts – have been im-

proved: The temperature range has been en-

hanced to a range of 18 - 22 °C. The maximum

stylus weight has been increased to 30 g.

This way all relevant star styli configurations

can be used with the Leitz Micra. Tests with

small probes (up to 0.3 mm ball tip diameter)

demonstrated very good performance for

applications in the watch industry and for the

measurement of other small precision parts.

Eurocopter Donauwörth, Germany

upgraded their systems with a Leica

T-Probe for faster inspection proc-

esses.

German car manufacturer Audi has acquired a complete Leica

Geosystems Laser Tracker System for fully automated meas-

urement processes including a Leica T-Scan and a Leica T-Mac

with a Touch Trigger Probe.

Newsticker

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Portrait

A man for all situations: Lothar Schäfer, Applications Engineer at Hexagon Metrology

Ready for the call

If there is a burning issue at a customer‘s

premises, e.g. something is interfering with

the smooth operation of his PC-DMIS measure-

ment software, the applications engineer

knows what he has to do. “My work involves

me everyday with ultra-accurate Leitz coor-

dinate measuring machines and I have been

providing worldwide support for PC-DMIS

software for over eleven years,” says Schäfer.

“Customers call me here in Wetzlar when they

need support. We then place the software

problem under the magnifying glass.” Running

the Hotline is just one aspect of his job. Prod-

uct presentations, special programming for

customers, on-site software support, training

courses, assisting in the development of new

products and providing customers with advice

at trade fairs prevent Lothar Schäfer from ever

becoming bored.

A knack for technology – and people

Originally from Germany‘s Rhineland-Pfalz,

Schäfer relies on his technical know-how in

particular to perform his duties. “Being able to

understand technology is simply an essential

requirement of the job. I studied electrical

engineering but, like all my colleagues, I

entered a career different from my educational

background and qualifications. Our knowledge

is based for a large part on learning-on-the-

job. After a while my “toolbox” became packed

as I gained experience in metrology,“ says

Schäfer.

The “toolbox” has become so full that Schäfer

is now a certified trainer working with AUKOM

(Ausbildung Koordinatenmesstechnik e.V.)

to pass on the skills of his trade to budding

metrology engineers. It stands to reason that

being a good judge of people is indispensable

in this role. The needs of every participant

must be accurately determined by Schäfer

during his training sessions – whether they

involve customers, colleagues from other

branches of the company or novices to the

field of metrology.

A winning team

With all the work and the challenges that

the job brings, Lothar Schäfer finds nothing

runs smoothly without a harmonious working

atmosphere. “We are a strong team provid-

ing software support for highly accurate

Leitz CMMs. If I‘m making no headway on a

particular job, I can always find someone here

who can help me out!” And to ensure the good

relationship between colleagues continues in

this positive mode, they shall be going on a

communal hike together again this year. This

fruitful interaction among colleagues can only

be to their benefit – and ultimately to the ben-

efit of the quality of the software support.

What would you like to be when you grow up? Put this question to any seven-year-old and it

is 90% certain that the answer would be: a fire-fighter! Lothar Schäfer lives out this dream

in a special way. He provides the same service as the fire brigade: an applications engineer

is always there when help is needed.

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Cover Story

GLOBAL CMMs from the brand DEA

are flexible and exact. But how are

such measuring machines produced?

measureup joined Production Manager

Bartolino Margiotta in the search for

clues in Northwest Italy to disclose

this secret.

We met Bartolino Margiotta in the produc-

tion hall of Hexagon Metrology S.p.A. in

Grugliasco, just a few kilometres west of

Turin. Bartolino has been working for Hexagon

Metrology for 28 years and thus is an expert

in his field. Under his supervision, workers

in production make sure that the countless

mosaic pieces involved add up to a complete

picture: such as for instance, the GLOBAL

coordinate measuring machine from the brand

DEA.

The answer can be found in the name

The name GLOBAL already leads us to assume

what happens at the very beginning of the

production process: some of the components

are bought from various producing suppliers

distributed all over the world. The parts don‘t

only come from numerous corners of this

planet; they are also delivered to many places

as well. Hexagon Metrology has production

locations in USA, China, Brazil and Italy in

the field of stationary coordinate measuring

machines. At these locations, components are

installed in the various measuring machines

of the group. This keeps costs down since

large amounts can be ordered. Lorries under

contract from Italian companies however still

drive through the factory gates in Grugliasco

as small components of the DEA GLOBAL

coordinate measuring machines are obtained

through local partners.

“Made in Italy“ is likewise at the core of the

various measuring machines produced. They

all take shape in Moncalieri – just a stone‘s

throw away from Grugliasco. Bartolino Mar-

giotta explains: “In Moncalieri, our affiliate

company Precision Machining finishes the

most important parts of the CMMs. Among

these are the beams and rams for example.

These have a direct impact on the perform-

ance of the measuring machine. From Mon-

calieri, these components reach not only us,

but also the other CMM production facilities of

Hexagon Metrology.“

Clearly calculated scheduling

The production planner‘s foresight is needed

before the assembler can start with his work.

They organise the material purchasing for

the small DEA GLOBAL CMMs by means of

prognoses. Keen awareness is necessary for

future demands. Production stock should not

be too high, in order to avoid high storage

costs, or too low, in order to keep production

moving steadily. The team manages the “just-

in-time” loading of the line buffers in order to

have the right materials at the right time in the

assembly areas. The larger components of the

larger GLOBALs are only made to order.

Components differ slightly in material, form

and origination according to the model. For

instance, the dark granite used for smaller

GLOBAL measuring equipment has already

travelled many miles before its arrival. It was

taken out of stone quarries in Asia. The lighter

granite used in the larger GLOBAL CMMs

originates from Italy’s neighbouring country

France. The reason for the different means

of obtaining these materials is that Hexagon

Metrology is dependent on short delivery

»

Secrets from Piedmont How a GLoBAL Cmm is produced

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Cover Story

The granite in combination with this steel base…

…is the perfect machine foundation for a DEA GLOBAL CMM.

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01/09 measureup

times with larger CMMs, since these are only produced to order.

A delivery of granite from Asia would, in this case, take way too

much time.

The beams also arrive in Grugliasco in various shapes. Further-

more, rams are made from varying materials dependant on

the model for which they will be used; these include very stiff

ceramic and lightweight aluminium.

An ear to the market with local manufacturing

Purchasing is done worldwide thus Hexagon Metrology profits

from the advantages of a global-oriented procurement strategy.

Assembly takes place at a local level and within close proximity

to customers – whether in Italy, USA, China or at the Brazil loca-

tion. Hexagon Metrology can then be fast and flexible to meet

customer demands.

In Piedmont, all three models of the GLOBAL family come

together as one large ensemble: GLOBAL Classic, Performance

und Advantage CMMs. The production area is divided into three

separate islands and each one is designated for different sized

CMMs, from the smallest, to the medium sized and finally to the

largest GLOBALs. The components and tools are always within

easy reach since the rule of thumb is: materials are at your

fingertips, always within five easy steps.

Cover Story

Production Manager Margiotta reveals to us the basics of

GLOBAL assembly: “To begin with, the legs and beams are joined

together to build the portal. Also, our assembler attaches the

granite surface plate onto the steel base. This machine base

is equipped with the scales, the transmission system and with

some types, a temperature sensor. Subassemblies, such as

counterweights for the Z-ram and the X-carriage, speed up the

assembly process. Finally, our workers attach the X-carriage to

the portal. The portal is then connected to the granite table. The

CMMs can now also be completed with a protective enclosure for

example, depending on the customer needs.“

CMMs put to the test

If all components are perfectly integrated then the GLOBAL tour

continues a few meters further down to a temperature stable

room. “We construct the measuring system in the calibration

room exactly as it will stand afterwards by the customer; this

means we add the customer‘s required controls, the subsequent

computer and the required measurement heads”, says Bartolino

Margiotta. “In this way, we can be sure that the customer can

rely on our exact specifications and receive the accuracy needed

for his measuring task. Before we calibrate the CMM, we let the

machine run all night so that we can be sure everything‘s in

working order with it. After the calibration, the GLOBAL CMMs

are tested for the ISO standards 10360 with the help of a gauge.“

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01/09measureup

At the base of the mountain: Piedmont

Piedmont is located between the border of

Switzerland and France, and borders the Italian

provinces of Liguria, Emilia Romagna and Lom-

bardy as well as the region of the Aosta Valley.

Four million people reside here. Waterfalls,

lakes, vineyards and breathtaking serpentines

characterise the landscape. The picturesque

Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta are well known

and long established tourist attractions.

However the capital of Piedmont Turin also

attracts visitors with its Baroque architecture.

An absolute must after a visit to one of Turin‘s

many museums is trying a cup of Bicerin –

made from a mixture of coffee, hot chocolate,

milk and cream. Not only sweet treats can

be found in Piedmont, the grapes from the

famous Barolo, Barbera and Barbaresco thrive

magnificently in Piedmont. Truffle fans will love

Alba and many award winning delicacies can

be found in local cheese dairies and shops.

1 The legs… 2 …plus a beam from Montcalieri…

3 …make up the portal. The configuration with triangular beams

optimises the stiff-to-mass ratio. 4 The GLOBAL CMMs can be

delivered with an optional climatic enclosure. This protects the

measuring machines not only from dirt but also guarantees a

consistent temperature. 5 Granite is well known for its temper-

ature stability. It is manufactured from one piece. Patented dove-

tail guideways are incorporated into the granite. 6 Assembler

Pietro Celeste installs the ram of a GLOBAL, the core of these

CMMs. Depending on the model, the rams consist of aluminium

alloy, alumina materials or ceramic. 7 Each employee is

obliged to enter the necessary information in the documents, for

example the time needed for every assembly step. Afterwards,

the data is entered in the SIQ quality management system. In

the end, a complete documentation of the production process

exists. 8 Another part of the inner workings of a GLOBAL are

the counterweights – cylinders that compensate for the weight

of the Z-rams. 9 The GLOBALs leave the calibration room

equipped with special mountings for safe transport. There‘s only

the protective vacuum packaging missing and the wooden box,

and they‘re ready to go – by lorry, train or ship. 10 Whether a

small or large GLOBAL CMM – the production process follows

the same pattern. 11 Production Manager Bartolino Margiotta

shows us a small but important part of the GLOBAL CMMs: the

air bearings. They run later on the precisely finished dovetail

guideways and assure smooth movement of the portal.

12 The thermometer in the calibration room shows a constant

21° Celsius. Here there‘s room for up to 20 machines.

Cover Story

Genetic makeup of each GLOBAL: the SIQ

If the GLOBAL mastered all the tests then the shipping docu-

ments can be prepared using the SIQ system. This quality man-

agement system developed by Hexagon Metrology has a similar

function to DNA in a person‘s body: all information concerning

the coordinate measuring machine is saved in this system.

Which were the specific servo parameters? Which measurements

were conducted during calibration of the machine? And when did

these tests take place? SIQ knows the answer. It supports Hexa-

gon Metrology throughout production to keep quality high.

Transport is the final stage of the production process and begins

already on the way from the calibration room to the shipping

department. The GLOBAL CMM is made ready for the customer

demands in the climatic chamber. Workers install special

mountings between the measurement table and the portal which

prevent machines from being damaged along the way. In the

shipping department the workers carefully vacuum pack the

valuable freight, to protect the CMM from humidity. After being

covered, the machine is then placed in a wooden box. Along with

all the shipping and quality documents from SIQ, the GLOBALs

are finally ready for their trip and bring along with them high tech

from Piedmont.

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PC-DMIS Reshaper – perfect for rapid handling

of point cloud files for high quality 3D meshes

at an affordable price.PC-DMIS Reshaper – the 3D scanner softwarePC-DMIS Reshaper is perfectly

suited for working with very big

point clouds. The more the point

number increases, the more the

difference compared to other

software is evident. The main

difference between PC-DMIS Re-

shaper and other software is the

increased speed: you can thus

handle millions of points without

any limit, and create 3D meshes

in few seconds.

measureup shows some of

the most important software

features.

“Inspection and contour control”

provides the possibility to compare two

polylines or curves with the same pro-

cedures as for 3D surfaces comparison.

Like inspection and 3D surfaces control,

you can create color mappings and edit

labels on particular points and export

or print customized inspection reports.

PC-DMIS Reshaper is used by many

customers as 3D inspection software.

PC-DMIS Re shaper software implements

all features you need to perform 3D

inspection and dramatically reduces the

time to make 3D inspection colour map-

ping and reports.

Inspection features are not a separate

product or module like in many other 3D

inspection software or compare to CAD

software. Everything is included in PC-

DMIS Reshaper without any additional

cost.

With PC-DMIS Reshaper, users create

point clouds to measure geometric

elements like planes, cylinders, circles,

spheres etc. You can calculate or extract

features directly from point clouds. Other

than that, the inspection software gives

you information on standard deviation

(average error), tolerance and distri-

bution. You can inspect or control a

particular geometry or hole. Geometrical

shapes can be used in different ways,

e.g. to export inside a CAD system

using IGES and DXF interfaces. These

shapes can also be used for geometrical

constructions such as projections and

intersections and to measure distances

or a surface flatness.

PC-DMIS Reshaper supports the handling

of a great number of points, finding

the ideal solution for your problem and

answers questions like: What is the

maximum or average error?

Could there be a better solution rejecting

10% or 20% of the points? Which point

should be kept or rejected?

The computation is immediate; the pre-

view button is the only click that has to

be made. High level algorithms dramati-

cally increase the point clouds process-

ing speed and the model accuracy.

PC-DMIS Corner

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Ogihara eliminates hundreds of inspection hours with OptiCell by CogniTensOgihara America Corporation is a sub-

sidiary of the Japanese Ogihara Corpo-

ration, one of the largest independent

automotive die manufacturers in the

world today. Based on Ogihara’s re-

quirements for the highest level of op-

erational flexibility possible CogniTens

together with its partner Inspection

Air Gauge designed a fully automated

and standardized OptiCell footprint for

providing rapid dimensional results for

closure sub-assemblies originating from

multiple vehicle programs.

The standardized OptiCell configuration

offered tight integrations of sophisticated

robotics technology, operator-machine

interface as well as cell automation and

control devices such as rotary tables and

flexible holding fixtures. This integrated

approach accommodates the maximum

number of parts and assemblies, while

minimizing the costs associated with mak-

ing changes and providing maintenance.

Additionally, it allowed parts and as-

semblies to be easily adapted to specific

GD&T requirements.

Today, Ogihara’s OptiCell systems pro-

vide production associates with instant

line side data required to make compre-

hensive functional build adjustments as

needed. The ease of use, rich metrology

data set and location on the plant floor

turned the Opti-Cell into a welcomed

asset for the Ogihara launch and pro-

duction teams. “Implementing OptiCell

is a major step forward towards realizing

Ogihara’s vision of moving from tradi-

tional gauging systems to highly flexible

and integrated measurement systems”,

said Steve Peca, Executive Manager for

Quality Systems at Ogihara America.

Success Story

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Service & Support

If your business provides precise industrial

measurement solutions, your reputation can

often depend on the reliability and accuracy of

measuring instruments. Industrial theodolites

and laser stations from Leica Geosystems have

proven accuracy and reliability whether fresh

from the factory or after many years of use.

However, as with all mechanical and optical

hardware, continuous high performance and

reliability is enhanced through general care and

periodic maintenance.

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Precision is the byword on a busy industrial park at the edge of the

Czech capital, the location of the new European Service Centre for in-

dustrial theodolites and total stations from Leica Geosystems, a centre

to provide a portfolio of dedicated technical services. Factory trained

specialist service engineers have many years of experience with han-

dling servicing and repairs for these instruments. Their skills extend to

every lens, gearwheel and housing seal that has to perform in some-

times extreme conditions. Theodolites, for example, that do not shelter

inside a factory but spend most of their time exposed to the elements

of open-air production yards. Total stations that are transported while

still attached to their tripods to keep up with the hectic pace of daily

production. Reliability and performance is not to be compromised

even under such working conditions and although fine manufacturing

quality is to be recognised for this, the Leica Geosystems technical

service team provide the long term after market care.

Inspect, evaluate, adjust then certify equals accuracy and reliability

Daniel Parnham is one of the specialists committed to the care of TPS

5000 products from Leica Geosystems in the Czech metropolis on

the banks of the Vltava. He works closely with the Leica Geosystems

headquarters in Switzerland and has been responsible for leading

and developing the Prague servicing facilities from scratch. “This

room was completely empty and open to design when our plans were

constructed. We started with the basics such as chairs, desks, or

cupboards followed by antistatic ESD workbenches and purpose-made

optical and electronic diagnosis equipment. All this, and more, needed

to be tailor-made to meet the strict factory TPS Service requirements.”

explains Daniel.

His pioneering efforts soon bore fruit. The service processes, products

and efficient turn-around times are proving popular for customers.

Instruments arriving for servicing frequently leave this facility within

1 or 2 days. Daniel describes a sequence of events for a typical main-

tenance and recertification. “The first and most important step is the

incoming inspection. Our customers put their faith and trust that we

handle their goods with care; it is therefore our duty to control receipt

of all their items right down to the last detail. We look for transit

damage too and report anything untoward, no less than you would

expect.” Daniel mentions that this can often be a moment of reunion.

“Reliable instruments such as these usually mean we in service very

often see them every year for recertification; it’s like a long lasting re-

lationship!” Daniel continues: “Next is the status testing. This is where

we record all of our customer’s personal settings that are reinstated

prior to leaving service during our pre-exit testing procedure. As part

of the same process, the operational performance of all functionalities

are evaluated and recorded in a check list fashion. This describes the

current condition and enables decisions to be taken regarding what

attention the instrument requires from service. Leica Geosystems

Service Software manages this process for all mechanics, electronics,

optical components, laser groups and electrical drive systems.” No

fault goes undetected by the trained eye of the engineer. The online

diagnosis of many checklist points and the service specialists‘ ability

to interpret the test measurements correctly, are the perfect comple-

ment. Daniel explains: “If the process finds values that are clearly

outside the specified tolerances, then the repair process starts. The

necessary repairs are discussed and agreed with the instrument

owner and carried out as soon as the action tasks are approved.”

»

Service & Support

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The final stage re-inspects the full functionality before conducting a

process used to identify measurement accuracy. This forms the bases

for traceable certification. Final exit inspection precedes cleaning and

preparation before packing and shipping. Daniel knows the precise

needs of his customers. Many industries that use Leica Geosystems

metrology equipment have concerns for their own stringent quality

assurance requirements to be met. To meet these standards, these

companies have their equipment regularly certified.

At the end of the tests, the Service Centre issues a full report showing

that the measurements produced by the instrument lie within the per-

mitted manufacturer’s tolerances. With total stations, the engineers

determine an offset coefficient for the distance meter derived from a

standard baseline. They also make spatial measurements over various

distances to traceable scale bars to investigate, evaluate and report

angle and distance component performance.

After all the test measurements, the engineer creates a Leica Geosys-

tems Producer Certificate which confirms the instrument meets the

measurement criteria. Daniel concludes: “The range of services we

offer is designed to satisfy the needs of our customers that use these

high accuracy industrial instruments daily. We take pleasure caring for

what are extremely reliable products. However, a service organisation

that is dedicated to after sales care not only enhances this reliability

but adds value through recording service history and extending the

product operating life too. We see this today with the many systems

that are still in use within Leica Geosystems’ very large install base!”

Service & Support

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A laser tracker is a large volume inspec-

tion system that provides 3D coordinates

to a movable handheld target. A laser

beam is projected from the sensor, and

is then reflected back by the handheld

target allowing the horizontal and verti-

cal angles to be determined. The only

thing missing to be able to calculate the

handheld targets position in space is an

accurate distance.

Traditionally laser trackers have used laser

interferometers as the source for determin-

ing this distance between the handheld

target and the tracker. They have an almost

instantaneous update rate that is given

only by the speed at which the target can

be moved. This makes them perfect for

dynamic measurements, because no matter

how quickly the target accelerates the exact

change in location is immediately known

to the sub-micron level. This technology

makes laser trackers perfectly suited for

high speed dynamic measurements like

robot guidance and machine control, but at

the same time presents a strict limitation

on their usage. If at any time during the

measurements the beam is interrupted the

operator needs to go back to a known posi-

tion before anything else can be measured.

»

Leica Absolute InterferometerTechnology

Page 18: measureup - w3.leica-geosystems.com · co-ordinate measuring machines for all its 3D ... coordinate measuring machine from the brand ... und Advantage CMMs

01/09 measureup

18 Technology

In 1995 Leica Geosystems introduced the ADM or Absolute

Distance Meter to solve this limitation. An ADM can measure

absolute distances (i.e. distances to a point in a 3D coordinate

system) with extreme precision, but even the fastest ADM

will never be able to achieve the speed of an IFM for dynamic

measurements. All absolute distance meters must deal with

integration times, the time required to perform the operations

that determine the target’s position. This is similar to the shut-

ter speed on a camera, the longer the exposure time, the harder

it is to take a clear picture of a fast moving object. The same

is true with integration time, the longer the integration time,

the more likely you are to introduce an error in the measure-

ment of a moving object. An IFM doesn’t have this problem.

The change in distance is always immediately known. This is

what makes the AIFM or Absolute Interferometer in the Leica

Absolute Tracker revolutionary. Whether the beam is locked on

to a stable target, or to a moving target, the result is always the

same, and is typically within 5 microns. No other long range

distancing technology has ever been able to measure so ac-

curately, and at the same time provide such amazing dynamic

capabilities.

The AIFM provides a leading edge solution to an age old

problem, but does so using mature technology. The IFM and

ADM core technologies have been used for more than a decade

in our laser trackers around the world. These core technologies

have been improved and combined to create what Leica Geo-

systems have dubbed the “Absolute Interferometer”, or AIFM,

and represent the most accurate and stable dynamic distanc-

ing unit that we have ever created, making the Leica Absolute

Tracker Leica Geosystems‘ most functional laser tracker to date.

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01/09measureup

measureupNext issue: 2/2009

Wind energy – measureup shows the capabili-

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ers of wind energy plants.

Laser scanning – 3D scanning for reverse

engineering or a fully automated

measurement system

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PuBLISHING DETAILS

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© 2009 Hexagon AB

Printed in Switzerland. April 2009

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