Quality is not monitored, it is produced. Suppliers to the automotive sector will tell you a tale or two about this. They not only need to deliver their parts to large car manufacturers ‘just in time’, the parts must also be near fault-free. Quality control is no longer just for finished products – measurement technologies now actively control the entire manufacturing process. If product quality isn’t up to standard, business can be lost.

The importance of precision measurement is now a recognized reality in today’s manufacturing world. As technology has improved, so have the tools available to manufacturers – both in their function and in their accuracy.

A broad range of tactile and optical measurement technologies are now available. The most common – and basic – of these tactile, or touch, technologies is a group of devices collectively known as hand tools. This family includes such classics as micrometers and calipers. They are some of the most frequently used hand measuring instruments, but they are
not without fault. Because they rely on the user to take the measurement properly and correctly interpret the result, measurements can vary greatly depending on the operator. Furthermore, hand tools also do not easily provide the measurement documentation demanded by today’s customers.

Optical, or non-contact, measurement technology has been greatly improved in recent years. Though they often work reliably, offer the advantage of being contact-free, and are increasingly easy to use, many of these devices do not provide the high level of accuracy of tactile methods. Those optical devices that do yield relatively accurate results can only take measurements in two dimensions. When industry and market demands require three dimensional measurements in the micron range, tactile methods continue to be the best option.

Though traditional in their use and common in manufacturing, lower-cost tactile technologies like hand tools are not enough by themselves to ensure long-term manufacturing quality. Traditional hand tools and improving optical methods can be used to support other measurement processes, but to achieve the measurement accuracies demanded today, they often cannot be viewed as stand- alone full solutions.

Complex manufacturing processes
It is not just about accuracy. Parts and components are becoming increasingly more complex as a result of faster, more accurate processing techniques. Measurement technologies need to keep pace with this reality. If users want to safeguard complex manufacturing processes, they must make use of improved coordinate measurement technologies.

In modern manufacturing, a wide variety of products are produced in a single process. This is an additional challenge for measurement engineers as control must be maintained over manufacturing processes at all times. Such control is currently only possible with flexible coordinate measurement technologies.

Design engineers also play an important part as their work is yet another area where companies use coordinate measurement technologies. While designing new or improved parts on their computer, they generally do not worry about how easy or difficult it will be to inspect it later on. Often, such measurement problems can only be handled using a coordinate measuring device. Fabrication methods that take measurement technologies into consideration could help alleviate this problem.

Skeptical quality managers claim that manufacturing methods have become more complicated since the introduction of CAD systems. In reality, their level of freedom has increased which has only made the quality engineer’s job more difficult. Coordinate measurement technologies help resolve this dilemma.

Traceability
A decisive advantage of coordinate measurement technologies is their traceability. Conformity
to national and international standards is extremely relevant as it is the only way to validate measurement results. It enables users to verify that their parts are in tolerance with a high level of confidence. Companies integrated into the global value-added chains rely heavily on traceability.

Coordinate measuring machine design
Coordinate measurement technology is often deemed as the ultimate authority in the metrology sector – and with good reason. Coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) have experienced an extremely rapid level of development since their introduction in the 1950s.

CMMs collect detailed dimensional data by moving a ball tip sensing device called a probe along
the surface of the part being measured. Basically, all CMMs determine the coordinates of a point in space. Linear encoders built into each axis allow them to track their movement relative to the probe with very high precision. High end devices used properly and under ideal conditions can give results that deviate from the true value by as little as 0.1μm.

Some CMMs are manually operated while others are computer controlled for automated inspections. When first introduced, all CMMs required a specialized operator to manually move the probe from point to point to take measurements. These devices were not computerized and still required the operator to record and calculate measurement data and results.

Today’s manufacturers increasingly rely on the precision provided by CMMs. This fact is due to the accuracy and traceability they provide to an ever demanding market.

Functionality
The parts to be measured by CMMs are usually digitized point-by-point. Touch probes trigger when contact is made with the surface, automatically recording the resulting position. To ensure the effectiveness of the process, encoders and sensors must be routinely calibrated.

The measurement values are processed using a host computer and the captured points are used to calculate basic geometry. These include deformities, curves, and freeform shapes. The computer
is also responsible for controlling the measurement machine itself. Results can be easily graphed – optimizing the reporting process.

Measurement technology as a service
The recommendation, or demand, to use CMMs is often made by a company’s engineering or quality department. The measurement technology manufacturer must work with the prospect’s engineers in order to ensure the technology provided fulfills the customer’s requirements. CMM software must be flexible and adaptable to various needs to ensure that the quality of the parts and part components being manufactured is not compromised.

Often, measurement technology manufacturers offer various solutions for a company’s entire product portfolio and the unique problems each presents; giving those looking for improved measurement and manufacturing processes more control of their measurement strategy.

A better solution
Today’s CMMs are offered in different performance classes and can be customized to match individual requirements. Regardless of company size, CMMs are an integral part of the quality control process. Large, small, and even medium-sized companies all can have similar applications and even more similar goals: to manufacture the best possible product using the best possible process.

Though CMMs have been improved from their early days in the 1950s, they still operate using the same principles as when they were invented. Accuracy has been improved as well as functionality, but what has become known as traditional, or fixed, CMMs still have their own flaws. The most obvious of those is their need to remain in a fixed position.

To effectively monitor manufacturing processes, dimensions must be checked quickly and accurately right on the production line.

A suitable alternative to fixed CMMs is the portable CMM. They take the accuracy and consistency of traditional machines right to the manufacturing floor where they can be moved around and used at will. This minimizes or eliminates the down time created by having to take parts to a CMM room.

Traditional CMMs still carry relative high price tags and complexity. Portables have not only broken the inspection room barrier, they are far less expensive and relatively easier to use than their traditional cousins. Portable CMMs deliver faster ROIs, improved functionality, and a better user experience.

Content and Image courtesy: FARO Technologies 

FARO (NASDAQ:FARO), the world’s most trusted source for 3D measurement and imaging solutions for factory metrology, construction BIM/CIM, product design, public safety forensics, and 3D solutions, announces the availability of the FARO PointSense 18.0 software suite. This robust software platform evolution delivers seamless integration into the latest 2018 AutoCAD and Revit design tools, a better user experience, improved software handling, and enhanced efficiency in processing software data.

The suite includes:

• PointSense basic/Pro for AutoCAD
• PointSense Building for AutoCAD
• PointSense Heritage for AutoCAD
• PointSense Plant for AutoCAD
• PointSense for Revit

The one stop bundle and compatibility across the broad range of Autodesk architecture, engineering, construction and surveying products makes this the most cost effective solution of its kind currently available.

Seamless Integration and Enhanced User Experience

PointSense 18.0 resets the bar for “ready to go”. It includes the same high value, beneficial use features and functionality with which savvy AutoCAD^® and Revit^® users are already familiar. The addition of a new, step by step guidance screen assures that even less familiar users can get up to speed quickly and optimize their workflow.

Improved Confidence in Accuracy

PointSense 18.0 for Revit^® is the first software platform to incorporate Levels of Accuracy as defined USBID (U.S. Institute of Building Documentation) standards. This enhanced analysis tool enables users to more confidently validate the accuracy of the as-built model compared to the relevant point cloud, i.e. the set of data points acquired by a 3D laser scanner.

Workflow Enhancement

The improvement in scan navigation functionality was driven by direct user feedback, supports greater efficiency and assures that the user is able to get to a result faster than ever before. With just a double click, users can move from one scan perspective to another inside a given point cloud.

“We continue to push forward in our commitment to creating even more value for the Architecture, Engineering and Construction market segments,” states Andreas Gerster, Vice President Global Construction BIM-CIM business unit. “PointSense 18.0, used in combination with 3D laser scanners such as the industry leading FARO Focus^3D is a direct reflection of this commitment, as it delivers a powerful new set of easy to use software solutions in a single package. We are both excited and validated about the unique value that PointSense 18.0 delivers not only to AutoCAD and Revit users in general, but also as a tightly integrated, high performance bundle for FARO Focus^3D Scanner users.”

How has 3D Measurement technology evolved with the growing demand for speed and productivity? What is the role of 3D Measurement systems?
As per burgeoning need of timely quality production, the demand for 3D measurement technology has witnessed a rise. As time is money in today’s industry and considering that 3D measurements provide quick response, this is the need of the time. If we go back to time for measurement technologies, the processes were time taking and lengthy, accuracy was a concern too. Previously measurements were done by vernier calipers and height gauges, which are not fast enough to give successful results in today’s time. This is where 3D measurement solutions come into picture.

FARO has observed an increase in demand for accuracy, reliability, and ease of use across the sectors and industries that it serves. Industries are moving away from conventional hand tools such as vernier calipers, height gauges, etc which are prone to measurement errors. The portable coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) and 3D imaging devices allows companies to maximize efficiencies and improve processes.

You recently launched products like Freestyle3D Object^S, Vantage^E, FARO Cobalt Array Imager solution. Please tell us more about these technologies and how does it help customers across the globe?
FARO Freestyle^3D Objects – With a measurement range of 0.3m – 0.8m, it allows fast capturing of small to mid-sized components and products. It is ideal for challenging measurement applications such as reverse engineering for product design and crime/crash scene investigation in public safety forensics.  The real-time point cloud visualization with automatic flash supports the intuitive data acquisition, even for untrained operators.

FARO Vantage^E – It is designed to serve customers who do not require the extended measurement range that is provided by the premium Vantage solution but still demand the trusted and robust features the Vantage platform provides.  With innovative features such as mobile device control, exceptional portability, battery operation, ruggedness, and high accuracy, Vantage^E set the standard in workflow productivity management for large-scale metrology applications.

FARO Cobalt Array Imager – This is a metrology-grade, non-contact scanner which utilizes blue light technology and on-board processing to capture millions of high resolution 3D coordinate measurements in seconds. It delivers fast and consistent measurements for dimensional inspection and reverse engineering applications. Compact and lightweight, the Cobalt Array Imager is easy to use across multiple applications.

The combination of flexibility, portability, speed and accuracy makes FARO’s solutions an ideal choice for customers with metrology needs.

FARO launches several new technologies every year backed by some high-end R&D activities; please tell us more about innovations at FARO…
FARO’s technologies are developed keeping the end-user in mind. Our research and development (R&D) team creates solutions that support and accelerate the overall manufacturing process. We consistently invest in R&D activities to design products that feature the most cutting-edge technologies in order to anticipate the evolving needs of the industry.

What future trends do you foresee in the 3D Metrology and inspection industry?
We expect that future projects and product designs will become more complex. This will influence manufacturers to change and evolve to retain their competitive edge in their respective markets. At the same time, companies will also demand for more advanced technologies to support their goals.

This impacts FARO, as we believe that demand for innovative technologies will drive greater demand on the requirements and specifications of future 3D measurement, imaging, and realization devices. Technologies will become more multi-functional and cross-functional, with greater accuracy, lower cost, smaller form factors, higher efficiency, and measurement effectiveness.

Which are your best selling products in India and why?
FARO makes solutions keeping in mind customer’s requirements and market demands. Considering India is a tier 1 market for auto and machine tools segment, our variety of solutions fits into various market needs. Be it auto component checks or aero component assembling, FARO has a solution for each industrial application.

India is currently undergoing significant changes with the vast infrastructure investment, related to the country’s ‘Smart Cities Mission’ – which was launched in 2015 to boost economic development, technological innovation, and sustainable growth in the country. The initiative involves a tremendous amount of construction and building projects, many of which will call for high precision measurement (e.g. for rail construction) and high accuracy scanning (e.g. building construction). In this regard, FARO’s recently launched innovative products, such as the FARO Focus^M 70 and the FARO Laser Tracker Vantage^S, can provide effective support.

The Focus^M 70 provides an ideal entry point for professional laser scanner users, particularly those from the construction BIM/CIM and public safety forensics markets. Its key features include an Ingress Protection (IP) Rating of 54 (for use in high particulate and wet weather conditions), HDR imaging, an acquisition speed of nearly 500,000 points per second, and extended temperature range – enabling indoor and outdoor scanning at a distance of up to 70 meters and an accuracy of ±3mm.

Separately, the new FARO Laser Tracker Vantage^S addresses large-scale metrology challenges in applications such as alignment, part and assembly inspection, and reverse engineering. With an operating range of 80 meters, the Vantage^S offers users a truly portable measurement solution with its integrated master control unit (MCU), hot interchangeable batteries, and industrial grade Wi-Fi.

How different is the demand between India and the European countries?
Every economy in the world requires advance measurement as their economy evolves and advances the technological ladder. These results in the ability to manufacture products of greater complexity. The demand pattern is greatly dependent on the product complexity and the industries they are in.

FARO has developed many solutions for many of the industries that are present in both Europe and India, and what we observed as the main difference is in the adoption rate of these technologies rather than any real difference in the demand of technology.

India is a price sensitive and competitive market. What are the challenges you face here?
FARO has served and will continue to serve the Indian market by offering sophisticated solutions that provide greater accuracy, measurement effectiveness, higher efficiency and lower costs. We observed that manufacturers are adopting higher standards and demanding greater precision and speed in their operations, especially for inspections and quality checks. The challenge for us here is to constantly innovate and develop specific solutions to meet these demands – which FARO has been actively doing.

How is the business outlook in India?
At present each and every industry is going through a radical change in India whether it is B2C or B2B. As the government is making new norms and laws the change will continue to happen. It is a balanced change which will boost India’s economy.

India is one of the fastest growing economies in Asia. With the Indian government pushing for infrastructure investments, the immediate future is bright for companies operating in the industrial manufacturing and construction segments. For these reasons, we continue to see India as a key part of FARO’s business, and we endeavor to overcome the challenges in this market.

What are your plans for Indian market?
Moving forward, FARO will continue to take part in major trade events across different verticals in the country. In 2017, we will be exhibiting at major trade events, including Automotive Engineering Show, BLECH India, Asian Machine Tools Expo (AMTEX), Survey India, Sustainability in Design & Construction India (SICI), and Machine Tool Expo.

We will also be organizing the FARO 3D User Conference to connect with the 3D communities again in September. Held in Mumbai, the event will focus on uncovering the potential of 3D terrestrial laser scanning technology and solutions. FARO will continue to launch new solutions for the industry, to address industrial manufacturers’ real, felt needs.

By Nishant Kashyap

Introduction
A wholly-owned subsidiary of TATA Motors Ltd, TAL Manufacturing Solutions Ltd (TAL) was established in Pune, India, in 2000, as a pioneer provider of turnkey manufacturing solutions. For over 40 years, TAL has had various experiences in designing and building machine tools, engaging in material-handling systems, test rigs, painting systems, assembly and process lines, robotics solutions, and fixtures across industries.

TAL’s main operations are strategically segregated by industry focus to provide top-line support to its customers. TAL has four business units, of which one is solely dedicated to the aerospace industry. This aerospace business unit maintains a strong focus in the total manufacturing process of precision body components and assemblies for aerospace structures. Catering to the needs of commercial and business partners, the aerospace division is fully supported with a state-of-the-art facility in Nagpur, India, where cutting edge solutions are developed.

The TAL aerospace division, in line with its business unit motto, strives to uphold its reputation as being the most reliable provider in the development, manufacturing, and assembly of aerospace components and structures. The division is always on the lookout for more efficient methods to improve existing processes. “We believe that we can further add value to our customers by continuously improving on our manufacturing processes and standards,” Mr. Bhupendra Darne, Quality Engineer, TAL Manufacturing Solutions Ltd
– Aerospace Business Unit, shared. “By doing so, we also gain competitive advantages which can benefit TAL in the long run.”

In an ideal world, every manufacturing component would be perfectly crafted and tedious measurement checks would not be necessary. However, with safety issues and stringent regulations to abide by in the air travel market, measurement requirements are very much a part of the manufacturing process, and companies like TAL take active steps to ensure that inspections are properly executed.

Measurement Concerns
In the aerospace industry where safety concerns always come under the spotlight, measurement requirements must be thorough to ensure zero deviation from computer-aided design (CAD) data. Failure to meet these standards can delay approval on aircraft components, and ultimately incur losses on time as well as investment costs. Measuring systems that can provide accurate measurements are therefore considered vital support equipment in the industry.

Moreover, aircraft components can range from 2 to 30 meters, and it can be especially challenging to measure large component parts where run-of-the-mill coordinate measurement machines (CMM) may be unable to capture the data accurately. “The components that we measure can come in different sizes and there are times when we have to carry the larger parts to the machine for measurement,” Mr. Darne added. “It can be straining and time consuming for us, especially when we have complex parts that can be difficult to measure using our existing CMM.”

[blockquote style=”1″]“Since we purchased the FaroArm and FARO Laser Tracker ION, we have achieved up to 70% time-savings,” Mr. Darne shared. “In the past, we would take up to 2-3 days to complete component measurements. However, using FARO devices, we have narrowed it down to just 1.5 days. TAL continuously welcomes efficient methods for improvement. When the need arises again, FARO will definitely be on the top of our list for consideration.” [/blockquote]

The Journey Towards Improvement
Within the aerospace division, TAL employees were already using CMMs. However, it was an older device that offered a smaller measuring range and lower levels of accuracy. Influenced by its customers’ positive reviews on FARO solutions, TAL first tried the FaroArm through a lease in 2006 and subsequently went on to rent the unit on numerous occasions. With a measuring range of 10 feet, the FaroArm was capable of offering high accuracy measurement, including fixture alignment, calibration, and dimensional calculations.

The FaroArm soon became an invaluable tool to TAL, and a decision was finally made to purchase the device later that same year. The main factor fueling the purchase then was because the equipment
rental process proved to be too time consuming for the team, with tedious paperwork that came with each instance. When the team at TAL realized that the portable CMM was required on a regular basis, it became evident that an asset investment had become a necessity, not just an option. In this way, the operators were able to freely access the unit whenever a measurement need arose.

“The FaroArm helped us greatly in our production process,” said Mr. Darne. “This was especially so on the sub-assembly level, where the FaroArm provides us with high accuracy when conducting inspection for small components. The level of accuracy required in our line of work is nearly 120 microns, and the device complied with our requirements.” Mr. Darne recalled. Won over by the positive experience, TAL went on to purchase its second unit of FaroArm in 2010. With an extended measuring range of up to 12 feet, this device performs similar functions as the first unit, allowing the team at TAL to measure parts over a larger volume.

Widely used in the aerospace industry to carry out a series of activities such as first article inspection, the FaroArm is capable of detecting even the slightest deviation to ensure closest conformity to intended specifications. As TAL’s business expanded, the need for a device with an even larger measuring range to carry out aircraft fixture calibration and alignment processes surfaced.

“As we had a positive experience with FARO, we decided to further extend our capabilities by investing in two sets of FARO Laser Tracker ION in 2011,” Mr. Darne acknowledged. “Right from the start, the Laser Trackers were clearly valuable additions to TAL’s existing operations, providing us with outstanding accuracy levels on major inspections in the post-production stages. With this device, we are assured of precision even with bigger components.”

A state-of-the-art interferometer (IFM) based measurement system, the Laser Tracker ION is capable of providing high-accuracy machine calibration and in-line measurements. Due to their line of work, TAL uses both devices on a weekly basis, each usage spanning over 8 hours and can extend up to 16 hours for critical components measurement. The remarkable features have helped TAL in easing time constraints and made significant differences in total time-savings.

Pushing Forward
At the fundamental level, TAL improved measurement accuracy and efficiency with four FARO devices under their belt. On top of that, however, the company also enjoyed several benefits in its production workflow, such as the devices’ portability, ease of use, as well as versatility.

The team found both the FaroArm and Laser Tracker ION easy to operate, which meant a gradual learning curve even for any inexperienced workers. Moreover, the portability of the FaroArm and Laser Tracker ION greatly reduced the need for manual labor as the device can now be easily transported to the shop floor, instead of having to move large, bulky components to a climate-controlled measuring room. In addition, these FARO devices required only a short set-up time, further sweetening the whole FARO experience for TAL.

The Gage stood out as the winning choice for Unitech because of its versatility. As the precision engineering firm made its first foray into the 3D measurement world, transiting from traditional hand tools like calipers, height gauges, and micrometers, it found that the Gage suited their needs perfectly. A robust device that can withstand the harsh working conditions of the shop floor, the Gage allows users to measure parts and assemblies easily, quickly, and accurately.

Introduction

The growth of federal commitment towards defense spending has brought about a steady rise in demand for precision components. Even as manufacturers in the aerospace and defense industries enjoy this increase, they need to remain accountable for the tiniest of components that factor into the assembly of each missile, and that must be delivered with zero defects. Due to the high technical complexity nature of aerospace and defense projects, a significant amount of engineering effort is required, supported by sophisticated measurement tools that can provide manufacturers with the highest levels of precision and accuracy.

Established in 2004 and headquartered in Hyderabad, India, Unitech Engineers (Unitech) is a leading CNC precision components manufacturer of missile parts for the defense industry. Its main clientele include India’s Defence Research & Development Laboratory, Research Center Imarat, and Avantel Limited. Apart from producing molds for the electronic and mechanical housings in defense missiles, Unitech also assembles missiles and critical system parts for clients operating in the aerospace and mechanical industries. Unitech is dedicated to serving manufacturers in the defense and aerospace market at its main facility, with a separate unit focusing purely on the composites market.

Pursuit for Progress

As a result of rising market demand for precision components, competition between aerospace and defense manufacturers also intensifies. To retain its leading foothold in the industry, Unitech assessed its current operation processes to make improvements to areas that could benefit from additional support. It was during one assessment that Unitech honed in on a potential area for improvement – upgrading Unitech’s measurement tools for better measurement ease.

While Unitech had been satisfied with using hand tools (e.g. vernier calipers, micrometers) for inspection and dimensional calculations, it was open to the idea of adopting more advanced solutions. The company was mainly motivated by its desire to expand its capabilities and enlarge its scope of services.

Mr. R. K. Patel, Production Manager at Unitech Engineers, shared, “The aerospace and defense industry is growing from strength to strength, and it is especially evident here in Hyderabad. Experts in aerospace technology surround us, and it has become crucial for Unitech to redefine its operational processes to continue its legacy as a leading aerospace precision components manufacturer. We felt that Unitech could benefit immensely if we pursued a technological upgrade.”

3D Measurement – A Chance Discovery

As business expanded, Unitech found it increasingly challenging to keep up with manual measurement methods. The measurement procedure for each missile component was taking too much time, and the employees’ growing measurement workload became a very real concern. However, what made Unitech finally take steps to rectify the situation was the realization that there was a more efficient way to perform measurement tasks.

The change came when Unitech chanced upon FARO at a trade show in Hyderabad. “We were intrigued by FARO’s pre-event publicity efforts, so we went by to the FARO booth to find out more about the company and its technologies,” Mr. Patel elaborated. “At the booth, we were treated to an on-site demonstration of the devices. It was an eye-opener for us, and we were particularly impressed with FARO Gage, firmly believing that it would aid us in production.”

An accurate 3D gauge for smaller components, the FARO Gage is a portable CMM solution that packs a punch with its high accuracy and consistency levels, as well as its ability to reduce inspection time and automatically generate measurement reports. With accuracy levels of up to 0.018mm, the Gage is a high- precision, portable device that Unitech can rely on to inspect its missile components that range from 2mm to 1.5m in size.

Ideal for quality control tasks such as geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), and for exporting to statistical process control (SPC), the Gage also excels in carrying out first article inspection, 3D inspection, and dimensional analysis of composite tooling.

Gage-ing FARO’s 3D Competency

The Gage stood out as the winning choice for Unitech because of its versatility. As the precision engineering firm made its first foray into the 3D measurement world, transiting from traditional hand tools like calipers, height gauges, and micrometers, it found that the Gage suited their needs perfectly. A robust device that can withstand the harsh working conditions of the shop floor, the Gage allows users to measure parts and assemblies easily, quickly, and accurately.

Flawlessly meeting Unitech’s requirements for accuracy measurements, the Gage supported Unitech’s production processes perfectly. First used to check the entire missile component, the Gage picks up on unnoticed discrepancies before the component enters the production stages for further inspection that can take up to two hours.

Mr. Patel observed, “The FARO Gage was able to fulfill our measurement demands, and we find our employees utilizing the device frequently, especially during production and post-production stages. For such an advanced piece of equipment, we are pleasantly surprised by its ease-of-use. In fact, our staff has taken to the Gage very quickly.”

As an additional bonus, the Gage’s user-friendly software also provides Unitech with handy reports. Generated automatically, the Gage is able to capture and store important digital data that could be shared easily amongst Unitech’s employees. The company can also input and create customized routines for repeat part measurements with the intelligent device, a time-saving feature that greatly enhances business productivity.

A current staple in Unitech’s production processes, the Gage is actively engaged for up to 4 hours every day, and the duration can stretch up to 9 hours during peak periods. The device is mostly used on complex components with higher levels of measurement difficulty, especially where GD&T is concerned. Otherwise, the team at Unitech still makes use of hand tools to fulfill simple measurement tasks.

A Match Made in Heaven

When asked if Unitech would recommend the FARO Gage to other similar businesses, Mr. Patel readily shared that they had already done so. He remarked, “Considering how the Gage has worked well for us, it was only natural that we tell our associates about it. Ever since we adopted the device, the team has been able to detect quality issues with much more ease and in a shorter time. FARO has enabled us to confidently meet the delivery needs of aerospace clients, and we could not have asked for a better technological match.”

New FARO Vantage Laser Tracker Product Line Sets a New Standard for Portability, Mobile Device Control, Ruggedness, and Value

FARO, the world’s most trusted source for 3D measurement and imaging solutions for factory metrology, product design, construction BIM/CIM, public safety-forensics and 3D solutions and services applications, announces the release of a next generation of Laser Trackers. The new FARO^® Laser Tracker Vantage product family sets a new price/performance standard for addressing challenges in large-scale metrology including, but not limited to, assembly alignment, part and assembly inspection, machine installation and alignment, and reverse engineering.

The FARO Vantage product family consists of two high performance models, the Vantage^E with an operating range of 25 meters and the Vantage^Swith an operating range of 80 meters. Both compact models offer industry leading portability with an integrated master control unit (MCU), hot swappable batteries that eliminate the need for AC power and cabling, and industrial grade Wi-Fi for reliable, wireless communications. This set of advanced features, along with a single carrying case, enables easy transport between job sites and/or locations within the factory by a single user.

The new FARO Vantage Laser Tracker platform is the first that utilizes FARO RemoteControls^TM (patent pending) for advanced control of the system using a mobile phone or tablet device. The mobile device not only controls the movements of the laser tracker but also delivers enhanced functionality such as live video feed from targeting cameras so that a single operator can now easily control the laser tracker from anywhere in the measurement area. Also included are innovative workflow management features such as remote accuracy checks and programmable remote warm-up so the user can schedule the device to turn on in advance and make it ready for immediate operation when the operator arrives.

FARO RemoteControls^TM also includes next generation functionality where the laser beam can be automatically re-established with a simple set of gestures, indoors or outdoors. This dramatically improves efficiency and productivity by eliminating the challenge of a broken laser beam and the need to manually reacquire the target. Finally, FARO RemoteControls^TM significantly reduces user training by dramatically increasing the ease of use for the operator.

Both FARO Vantage^S and FARO Vantage^E fully support FARO’s patented Super 6DoF (Degrees of Freedom) TrackArm solution, which enables a Vantage Tracker and a FARO ScanArm^®, or multiple ScanArms^®, to work together to create an integrated 3D measurement solution across a single coordinate system. Super 6DoF completely eliminates line-of sight challenges and significantly expands measurement range while maintaining superior accuracy with two instruments-in-one operation.

“The new FARO Vantage Laser Tracker product line is proven effective for the most environmentally challenging applications as it is tested to rigorous International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards for shock and vibration, tested for extreme thermal conditions and is IP52 rated for dust and water resistance,” stated Simon Raab, Ph.D., FARO’s President and CEO.  “We are very conscious of our role as an innovator in this space, but we are even more conscious that it is our responsibility to innovate with the end user experience as the main driver.  The New Vantage Laser Tracker series provides a combination of innovation in usability along with value driven pricing that sets a new, highly accessible price/performance standard for laser trackers in large scale precision measurement. We are confident that the breakthroughs offered in the FARO Vantage platform will make it the go-to option for a variety of demanding factory metrology applications.”

FARO has a wide range of metrology and measuring solutions. Tell us more about your product offerings like the FaroArm, Design ScanArm, and Vector^RI.
FARO develops and markets computer-aided measurement and imaging devices and software. The company prides itself as the world’s most trusted source for 3D measurement, imaging, and realization technology. Founded in 1981, FARO has developed numerous innovative products and application solutions since then, catering to a wide range of applications such as alignment, CAD-based inspection, and reverse engineering.

Our best-selling product line is the FaroArm, which has enjoyed tremendous success with our customers. The FARO^® Design ScanArm is our latest addition to this range, and it is a portable 3D scanning solution tailored for 3D modeling, reverse engineering, and CAD-based design applications across the product lifecycle management (PLM) process. Featuring optically-superior blue laser technology equipped with fast scanning speed to deliver high-resolution point cloud data, the Design ScanArm offers a simplified user interface, enabling easy operation regardless of skill level or 3D scanning experience.

The FARO Vector^RI Imaging Laser Radar is an ultra-high speed, large-volume, non-contact 3D measurement solution, equipped with high-resolution 3D imaging and projection guidance to support manual and automated manufacturing processes. With the FARO Vector^RI, users have access to a new class of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) with High Speed Imaging (HSI) technology, significantly reducing inspection cycle time while providing manufacturers with exceptional throughput. We are confident that the FARO Vector^RI will be a game-changing solution for large-volume surface inspection and measurement of parts, assemblies and tools, in-process guidance and verification, fully-automated in-line inspection or any application requiring high-resolution scan data.

What will FARO showcase at the upcoming show RMTS? How do you plan to leverage on the event?
At the 2016 Rajkot Machine Tools Show (RMTS), FARO will showcase the FARO Edge ScanArm HD, FARO Laser Tracker Vantage, and the FARO Gage.

Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the Edge ScanArm HD is developed with the ‘SmartArm’ technology and is integrated with a built-in touchscreen computer, aimed to simplify user experience with improved performance, portability, and reliability. The device’s extra wide scan stripe and fast frame rate aims to boost productivity for users by increasing coverage and reducing scanning time. With the 2,000 actual points per scanline and the new blue laser featuring noise reduction technology, intricate components can be captured in fine detail. Users can also dramatically reduce training time with the new crosshair feature and existing LED Rangefinder function, which provides real-time scanning feedback.

FARO has reinvented accurate and large volume measurement with the Vantage, the world’s most complete laser tracking solution that melds disruptive new features with a supremely portable design. Smaller and lighter than its predecessor, the Vantage is a step ahead with its ability to capture more measurements with fewer device moves and shorter routines. With a measuring range of up to 80 m (160 m spherical working volume) and accuracy levels of up to 0.015 mm, the device features infinite rotation, supports in-line optics, and also offers TriMap encoders.

The FARO Gage is ideal for smaller components, as it offers high accuracy levels, improves measurement consistency, reduces inspection time, and generates automatic reports. The Gage is also made specifically for shop floor personnel as it can be set up in seconds, allowing users to measure parts and assemblies easily, quickly, and accurately.

RMTS provides an ideal platform for FARO to exhibit as our measurement technologies can be adapted and used across a wide range of industries. With the event expecting more than 50,000 visitors this edition, we look forward to sharing our technologies to a wider group of audience, demonstrating how FARO’s portable 3D measurement solutions can help businesses to reduce total cycle time.

FARO is known for its innovations and high-end technologies. Tell us more about your R&D activities.
In order to stay ahead of competition and to consistently deliver innovative technology to our customers, FARO places great emphasis on innovation. Research & Development (R&D) is one of FARO’s top priorities, and our approach to R&D does not change even during a bear market. Recently, FARO has pushed out new metrology solutions including the FARO Focus^S Laser Scanner, FARO Freestyle^3D Objects and FARO Vantage^E Laser Tracker amongst others.

Additionally, FARO takes its customers’ feedback into consideration, and many times, their input has helped to shape the improvements we make to our products. For instance, the Edge ScanArm HD’s matchless scanning capabilities and the Freestyle^3D’s novel applications were made possible because of the close relationships that we hold with our customers. It was through this approach that FARO came up with disruptive launches like the FARO Laser Scanner Focus^3D X Series, and numerous notable ones this year.

What are the latest developments in metrology technologies in respect to your product offerings?
Across the market segments that FARO serves, we have noticed an increase in preference for more complex, curvy shapes (as opposed to ‘boxy’ designs primarily formed with straight lines). This trend will continue to play a big part in the proliferation of non-contact measurement techniques, as well as non-contact scanning technologies.

At FARO, we have developed several products to target this specific market trend. FARO’s Design ScanArm and Cobalt Array Imager series are capable of capturing high-resolution point clouds that can be processed into data models for re-production of objects. The digitized information allows key design specifications and requirements of the prototype to be checked or modified easily and quickly.

How do you see the response for such solutions in Asian market and especially in India?
As the Asian market continues to grow, manufacturers are becoming more particular with products that can abide by and meet international standards. We have observed the same happening in India, as the country becomes increasingly developed due to its growing literacy levels and thriving talent pool.

Naturally, these local companies are willing to invest in quality equipment that can stand up to close scrutiny. In this regard, FARO is confident that its ISO-certified devices can allow customers to achieve various certifications in their respective industries, including ISO and API accreditations amongst others.

As the manufacturing industry in Asia and India grows in maturity, manufacturers develop higher standards and demands for precision and speed in quality checks. With quality control and inspection tasks becoming more intricate, products and measurement needs naturally advance in complexity, leading to a rise in sophisticated measuring equipment like FARO’s in a production facility.

How is the business outlook in India?
Presently, India is reforming to become the third largest global economy by 2030. The Government of India launched the ‘Make in India’ program to accelerate the country’s progress as an international manufacturing hub, and according to India Brand Equity Foundation, India’s manufacturing sector can potentially gross USD 1 trillion by 2025.

In view of this forecast, FARO remains expectant and is preparing to leverage on the good growth in India. We observe that strong performing industries in India continue to be the metal fabrication, die-and-mold, automotive, heavy machineries, and construction industries.

According to FARO, what are the future trends in the 3D Metrology industry?
In the last few years, we observed an increase in demand for accuracy, reliability, and ease of use in measurement solutions, across the sectors and industries that FARO serves. Logically, it is almost certain that users of our measurement technology will continue to expect improvements in these same areas in the years ahead. As technological advances continue to gain new grounds, companies with measurement technology that cater to users’ needs are the ones that will lead the way in this industry.

What are your future plans?
We are committed to our business in Asia-Pacific and will constantly look towards expansion, with future growth and development in tandem with business needs. This is evident in our recent acquisitions of new companies and technologies – such as BuildIT Software & Solutions Ltd. and Laser Projection Technologies. Inc, as part of FARO’s continual efforts to increase and enhance our product solutions to our customers.

Over the years, our products have been well received by our customers, and we are heartened by the responses that we’ve seen. Moving forward, we are confident of rolling out more solutions that address industrial manufacturers’ real, felt needs.

By Nishant Kashyap

FARO, the world’s most trusted source for 3D measurement and imaging solutions for factory metrology, product design, construction BIM/CIM, public safety forensics and 3D solutions and services applications, announces the launch of a new addition to its Vantage Laser Tracker product line. The new VantageE includes well-proven features and capabilities such as high-speed dynamic measurement, and is affordably priced for customers who demand high performance while working with short-to-medium range applications.

The FARO VantageE Laser Tracker is ideally suited for customers who do not require the extended measurement range that is provided by the premium Vantage solution but still demand the trusted and robust features the Vantage platform provides. This release provides customers with increased flexibility in terms of capability and pricing, dependent on their application-specific demands.

The new VantageE Laser Tracker has a range of up to 25 meters through FARO’s patented, fifth-generation TruADM (Absolute Distance Meter) technology, which enables fully-dynamic measurement capabilities. Vantage Trackers are able to continuously scan and take measurements while a spherical optical probe is tracked across the surface of the part, object or assembly. If the laser beam is interrupted at any time while the probe is being moved, the user can simply and instantly reacquire the beam and continue measuring.

The VantageE provides full support for FARO’s patented Super 6DoF (Degrees of Freedom) TrackArm solution, which enables a Vantage Tracker and one or more FARO ScanArms to work together to create an integrated 3D measurement system. Super 6DoF completely eliminates line-of sight challenges and significantly expands measurement range while maintaining superior accuracy.

“A number of our factory metrology customers have expressed the need for a more affordable, but feature-rich tracker that would meet their applications for short-to-mid distance measurement,” stated Joe Arezone, Chief Commercial Officer of FARO. “In developing the VantageE, we quickly realized that customers would still need the accuracy of our longer-distance tracker along with the robust features that make the FARO Vantage Tracker solution ideally suited for solving real-world, everyday measurement challenges. Additionally, the VantageE is value-priced at approximately 30% less than the premium Vantage while offering many of the same features and similar accuracy.”

The FARO VantageE Laser Tracker offers a cost-effective solution for applications such as quality inspection, tool-building, alignment, and reverse engineering. In contrast to using traditional measurement solutions, operators are able to complete complex 3D measurement jobs much faster, reduce downtime and scrap, and most importantly, get accurate, consistent and reportable measurement data.

FARO, the world’s most trusted source for 3D measurement and imaging solutions for Metrology, Factory Automation, Product Design, Public Safety, BIM/CIM and 3D Services applications, announces the acquisition of BuildIT Software & Solutions Ltd., a leader in process-configurable 3D metrology software solutions with hardware agnostic interfaces. FARO will introduce the configuration power of the BuildIT software in a new “Your Product, Your Process, Your Solution” campaign aimed at providing major customers with customizable, in-process solutions that integrate metrology devices and sensors from multiple manufacturers.

Located in Montreal, Canada, BuildIT’s software is used daily on the production lines of 5 of the 10 largest aerospace and defense manufacturers. BuildIT’s software is hardware independent, giving customers the flexibility to utilize different hardware offerings to maximize productivity and efficiency.

“The acquisition of BuildIT bolsters FARO’s complementary suite of software solutions for our metrology customers,” stated Dr. Simon Raab, FARO’s President and CEO. “By adding BuildIT to our metrology portfolio, our customers now have even greater software options for use in a variety of 3D metrology manufacturing applications to reduce inspection and assembly times and increase productivity. The BuildIT software suite is hardware agnostic. FARO recognizes that its Factory Automation and Metrology customers often integrate equipment from multiple vendors, and we are committed to providing valuable and configurable customer-specific solutions irrespective of metrology manufacturer mix.”

FARO Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:FARO), the world’s most trusted source for 3D measurement and imaging solutions for Metrology, Factory Automation, Product Design, Public Safety and BIM/CIM, announces the launch of the FARO^® Design ScanArm, a portable 3D scanning solution tailored for 3D modeling, reverse engineering, and CAD-based design applications across the product lifecycle management (PLM) process.

As a limited-time promotional offer, the FARO Design ScanArm will be bundled with 3D System’s^® Geomagic^® software at a reduced launch price. The available software options have capabilities that range from an automatic meshing software that delivers ready-to-use files without any post-processing to a full-featured reverse engineering software that combines history-based CAD with 3D scan data to create feature-based, editable solid models compatible with all major CAD platforms.

“The FARO Design ScanArm was purposefully-engineered to meet the needs of the Product Design market,” stated Dr. Simon Raab, President and CEO of FARO Technologies. “By combining FARO’s best-in-class 3D scanning technology with 3D System’s Geomagic software offerings, the Design ScanArm provides a turnkey solution that allows users to quickly digitize any part or object, easily design or modify reverse engineered models, create manufacturing-ready CAD models, and verify design intent of prototype products.”

The FARO Design ScanArm features optically-superior blue laser technology with fast scanning speed to deliver high-resolution point cloud data and the ability to seamlessly scan challenging materials without the need for spray or targets. The device is lightweight and maneuverable for convenient desktop mounting in the design studio or engineering lab. The Design ScanArm features a simplified user interface that makes it easy to operate regardless of skill level or 3D scanning experience.

Dr. Raab added, “Through a deep understanding of our customers’ workflows we can ensure that FARO’s solutions are optimized for application-specific demands and, as such, our customers are not forced to pay for features that do not add value to their processes. It is this engineering philosophy that allows the Design ScanArm to be aggressively priced for rapid return on investment without sacrificing any required technical capability.”

The FARO Design ScanArm is the ideal 3D scanning solution for any organization that may have the need to manufacture parts without existing CAD models, develop aftermarket products that need to fit tightly with existing products, reverse engineer legacy parts for design changes or replacement, create digital libraries to decrease inventory and warehouse costs, design aesthetically pleasing, freeform surfaces, or leverage the power of rapid prototyping.