Robot-Mounted 3D Scanners Speed Automated Inspection

Creaform Inc. recently announced the MetraSCAN 3D R-Series, its latest generation of automated inspection solutions. This new robot-mounted optical CMM (coordinate measuring machine) 3D scanner enables manufacturers to leverage optical measurements and industrial automation directly on their production lines. In combination with industrial robots, the MetraSCAN 3D R-Series can enable manufacturers to increase the reliability, speed and versatility of on-line inspection and quality control (QC) processes, says the company.

Creaform has introduced its new MetraSCAN 3D R-Series, a pair of robot-mounted 3D scanners for non-contact dimensional quality control in manufacturing and production environments. Image courtesy of Creaform Inc.

A completely re-engineered member of the MetraSCAN 3D scanner product line-up, the R-Series comes in Standard and Elite versions, designated the MetraSCAN 750-R and the MetraSCAN 750-R Elite, respectively. In addition to a rugged new design, the MetraSCAN 3D R-Series have new glass-protected positioning targets that can withstand harsh environmental conditions and ensure overall improved durability in shop-floor environments where, say, airborne dust or dirt could impact product lifecycle and require unnecessary and repetitive calibrations.

MetraSCAN 3D R-Series units deploy seven built-in laser crosses that can pick up to 480,000 measurements per second on complex surfaces with high reflectivity, according to Creaform. The scanners offer automatic alignment of parts and dynamic referencing, which maintains part alignment during the scanning process by “locking” onto the part being measured.

System features include an optimized robot reach to enable fast measurements of large parts with complex geometries as well as a small shop-floor footprint and shop-floor-ready accessories for controlling scanner parameters for maximum operator safety. MetraSCAN 3D-R Series units use Creaform’s TRUaccuracy technology, which ensures highly accurate measurements regardless of ambient conditions or operator skills.

MetraSCAN 3D R-Series have seven built-in laser crosses that can pick up to 480,000 measurements per second on complex surfaces with high reflectivity, according to Creaform. Image courtesy of Creaform Inc.

The MetraSCAN 750-R and MetraSCAN 750-R Elite offer accuracy of up to 0.0012 in. (0.030 mm). The systems offer a volumetric accuracy of up to 0.0025 in. (0.064 mm) for the Elite model and a volumetric accuracy of up to 0.0034 in. (0.086 mm) for the standard edition. MetraSCAN 3D R-Series scanners are powered by Creaform’s VXelements 3D platform and suite of applications, and they are compatible with a turntable.

Creaform says that its new MetraSCAN 3D R-Series CMM (coordinate measuring machine) 3D scanners allow manufacturers to leverage optical measurements and industrial automation directly on their production lines. Image courtesy of Creaform Inc.

“By extending our optical-based 3D scanning technology to automated quality control processes, Creaform meets the market’s call for turnkey inspection solutions that can be seamlessly integrated right into the manufacturing stage,” said Jérôme-Alexandre Lavoie, product manager at Creaform, in a press statement. “This advancement in automated 3D metrology is a big step forward in informed manufacturing and production, and underscores Creaform’s core values: versatility, flexibility and ease of use.”

The MetraSCAN 3D R-Series can be ordered now through Creaform’s local representatives and its global reseller network. For further details, click here.

Watch a video on automated inspection with a MetraSCAN 3D R-Series unit.

Download the MetraSCAN 3D R-Series brochure.

Download a technical paper on Creaform’s TRUaccuracy technology.

See why DE‘s editors selected Creaform’s new MetraSCAN 3D R-Series scanners as their Pick of the Week.

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