FARO’s technology combinations are allowing users to focus more on the actual measurement and less on the measurement processes
Ensuring the quality of a car’s performance and design, FARO 3D measurement technology solutions provide a simple, yet accurate way of taking contact and non-contact measurements for quality control in automobile manufacturing and assembly.
Portable CMMs such as articulating arms can be used for rapid prototyping, analysing car body panels or inspecting a body-in-white, while large-volume laser trackers can be implemented for part inspection, alignment, machine installation, robot calibration or reverse engineering tasks.
FARO has recently developed and introduced new factory metrology solutions that add new measurement features and capabilities to its FaroArm product family: the FARO 8-Axis system and the FARO Prizm Laser Line Probe (LLP).
The FARO 8-Axis system combines the portable Quantum FaroArm or Quantum ScanArm portfolio products with a functionally integrated, yet physically separate, 8th axis.
The 8th axis is a complete rotational axis that provides a natural extension of FaroArm capability. It plugs directly into the FaroArm and results in a seamlessly integrated, high accuracy additional axis that requires no extra set up time or effort.
The 8th axis enables rotation of what is being measured in real-time – meaning no difficulty reaching around the object, and no need to move the Arm into different locations within the process. This eliminates wasted time and offers an easy-to-use measurement solution that allows users to focus on the actual measurement and not on the measurement processes, taking measurement speed and ergonomics to an even greater level.
The extended reach of this system via the easy to use part rotation functionality allows the user to scan, measure and digitise features on both small and large parts with a single Arm position. As a result, this process is up to 40% faster relative to a standard 7-Axis Arm system.
The operator is now able to focus with minimal distraction on the actual scan or measurement of the part since reaching around the part is no longer required. Also, this allows complex objects to be digitised, not only faster, but also more comprehensively.
The 8-Axis system is ideal for addressing a range of non-contact measurement and scanning applications, including part inspection, alignment, dimensional analysis, CAD-based inspection, prototype part scanning and reverse engineering.
Colour scans and fine details
The FARO Prizm is the first Laser Line Probe available that includes the ability to scan in high resolution, 3D colour. Prizm is designed to operate as a compact, tightly integrated solution with the FARO Quantum FaroArm product family and extends the FARO tradition of delivering maximum measurement consistency for both direct-to-parts contact and non-contact requirements in every working environment.
Prizm has certified accuracy for the most demanding metrology challenges. The colour scan allows users to view and manipulate a detail rich, 3D colour point cloud model of a part or assembly on a computer screen.
This innovation enables parts and objects to be inspected for dimension and surface quality. This is ideally suited for moulded parts where colour and surface texture are an essential requirement of the complete inspection, or for identifying splits on stamped sheet metal not detectable with existing technologies. Fine details including texture, such as weld marks, grinding marks, sandblasting and machining patterns, and even text, can be clearly extracted for identification of key features during the inspection process. The true-to-life functionality enhances productivity by supporting inspection professionals in driving out dimensional and surface character quality issues that would otherwise slow the end-to-end the production process.
FARO Design ScanArm 2.5C
FARO has also announced the new FARO Design ScanArm 2.5, whose 2.5C version utilises the FARO Prizm with its full colour 3D scanning capabilities.
The Design ScanArm 2.5C, fully compatible with the FARO 8-Axis system, is specifically designed to address design challenges across a range of industries including Industrial Machinery, Auto Manufacturing, Engineering Services and Computer Graphics. A colour 3D representation is the perfect baseline for reverse engineering, product visualisations and special effects.
This innovative leap forward enables parts and objects to bereconstructed and visualised as vividly as they appear in the real world. The true-to-life functionality not only allows design professionals to proceed with an even higher level of confidence but also, as a result, accelerates the completion of important projects. Faster end-to-end project cycle time is also supported and enhanced by rapid scanning colour capability of up to 240,000 points per second.
Consistent with the FARO commitment to optimising ease of use through advanced ergonomics, the Design ScanArm 2.5C is available in three highly manoeuvrable arm lengths—2.5m, 3.5m and 4m. This ensures that end users can select the option that optimally fits with the specific design objectives for their projects. Furthermore, hot swappable batteries ensure that the user can bring the scan to the project rather than needing to bring the project to the scan.
The DSA 2.5C significantly exceeds the baseline expectations that FARO documented from prospective users during an exhaustive product development process. Not only do the vividness and sharpness deliver spot-on representation of the colour of the real-world object, but now finer details including texture, and even text, can be clearly extracted for product visualisation, computer graphics or identification of key features during the product design or reverse engineering processes. Finally, greater efficiencies can be realised as full colour can be captured in a single scan, removing any need to take pictures or apply texture in the post scanning process.
FARO continues to be focused on optimising the productivity ofdesign professionals. By integrating exceptional quality colour into the design process, they have created a 3D reality experience by allowing users to capture more information, in true-to-life detail richness and colour, in less time than ever before. The Design ScanArm 2.5C is yet another example of FARO pushing the boundaries of innovation.
