In a recent press release, FARO Technologies, Inc.–the market-share leader in the portable coordinate measurement machine (CMM) field–introduced the industry’s first ever seven-axis contact/non-contact measurement device with a fully integrated laser scanner: The FARO Laser ScanArm.
"Fully integrated means that, unlike other scanning systems, the FARO ScanArm’s hard probe and laser scanner can digitize interchangeably without having to remove either component," according to FARO President and CEO Simon Raab. "There are no third-party attachments, no external electronics, and no cables that interfere with the arm’s infinite rotation ability, so the users get maximum data handling, accuracy, and efficiency in an affordable package, rather than the complications of integrating separate technologies."
Users can collect simple point variations with the arm’s hard probe, then laser scan the sections requiring larger volumes of data, without the wasted time of adding or removing attachments, untangling cabling, or having to use a separate CMM and then trying to import the data. It adds to the compact FaroArm’s versatility, as the arm is now not only portable, but can also be used for a variety of non-contact measurement applications, including inspection, cloud-to-CAD comparison, rapid prototyping, reverse engineering, and 3-D modeling.
"Our goal was to create the most user-friendly laser scanning arm on the market," says Shaun Mymudes, hardware product manager. "It’s an affordable, total package that’s ready to measure."
The FARO ScanArm provides exponentially detailed inspection by collecting more than 13,000 points per second. Its open architecture allows users to analyze the data in not only the arm’s native CAM2 Measure, but also their choice of point-cloud evaluation software, including Geomagic, PolyWorks, and RapidForm. FARO estimates the non-contact inspection/digitization comprises approximately 20 percent of the computer-aided manufacturing measurement market.
"The fact that this is 100 percent FARO, with no third-party technology, gives us a significant price advantage in this field," Raab says. "Along with our other products, this helps further establish us as a ‘one-stop shop’ for all of a facility’s metrology needs." Although there are FARO ScanArms currently in use at manufacturers selected for prototype testing, full distribution is expected during the first quarter of 2004. It made its debut trade show appearance in November at FABTECH in Chicago.
Exclusive features include: a seven-axis arm with removable handle and three-point quick mount; infinite rotation ability uninhibited by external cabling or electronics; fully ergonomic manufacturing use; integrated LED range finder determines optimal scanning distance; Quick Probe calibration, which greatly reduces set-up time; thin profile for tight areas, sealed for manufacturing environments; and it operates within the same temperature range as the arm without requiring recalibration.
For more information contact Darin Sahler, global public relations officer, at 800-736-0234, or via e-mail at sahlerd@faro.com. The company’s Web site is [www.faro.com].
