New productivity and usability improvements for Hexagon's direct scanning laser tracker

Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division announced today a new system software release for Leica Absolute Tracker ATS600 systems. This first new system software update for the ATS600 will deliver a host of new functions developed based on extensive market feedback collected since the system’s launch in early 2019. From improved imaging to new scan processes and modes, the update offers productivity and usability improvements designed to make the direct scanning of large surfaces even easier. Also included in this latest version is full integration for ATS600 systems within the HxGN SFx | Asset Management platform.

Among the improvements this update delivers is a new panorama imaging mode, which allows users to create a large composite picture of a work area using the built-in Overview Camera. The system’s live-view image can be overlaid on the composite, placing it within the wider context and allowing for easier navigation when measuring extremely large parts that exceed the system’s standard field of view. This comes alongside coding improvements that have improved the definition of the Overview Camera, allowing the system’s live view to display at a resolution three-times higher than previously possible. With image quality reaching up to 5 megapixels, there are now also several levels of zoom available with no loss of resolution, making it easier to target distant measurement surfaces accurately.

“The new update is all about improving productivity by refining usability,” says Rodrigo Alfaia, Absolute Tracker Product Manager, Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division. “The ATS600 is like no other laser tracker on the market before, and so we’ve made it a priority to listen to the experiences of our users as they got to grips with the new system – their feedback over the last year has been absolutely vital in developing the new functionalities that come with this update. The result of that has been a concentration of improvements in areas that will really make the whole process of direct scanning even easier and help our users be even more productive as they take on large-scale inspection projects.”

Measurement has also been improved with the addition of several new scanning processes and modes. The new uniform grid spacing function uses 3D measurement data to calculate the correct orientation of surfaces being scanned. This allows point-spacing within the scan area to be adjusted to deliver a uniform grid of data across the entire surface. Besides this, the new Line Scan and Ring Scan profiles make it easier and faster to collect data in specific situations, for example for very targeted measurements such as cross sections or narrow stripes, or for broad data collection like complete 360-degree environment scans.

The new integration of the ATS600 with Hexagon’s SFx | Asset Management is another area that allows for significant productivity improvements. The platform delivers complete fleet management for manufacturing inspection systems, including remote monitoring based on real-time data streaming. With a centralised, user-friendly dashboard that’s easy to access and use, the platform offers an accurate way to monitor and analyse how key assets are performing, whether on a single site or in multiple factories around the world. Real-time alerts enable users to quickly react to anomalies that indicate the need for action, reducing unplanned downtime. The integration of the ATS600 system within this platform will give users an easy way to oversee and increase the productivity of their advanced large-volume inspection setups.

All new ATS600 systems ordered from Hexagon will ship with the new system software version, while systems already in the market will receive the new software as an update. More information is available through local Hexagon commercial operations and dealers.