Hexagon's Manufacturing Intelligence Division has announced the introduction of full IP54 protection for its latest Absolute Arm models, as well as even more user-friendly features and compatibility with the HxGN SFx | Asset Management service.
From the high precision probing of the Absolute Arm Compact to the high productivity 3D laser scanning offered by the Absolute Arm 7-axis and the Absolute Scanner AS1, each new Absolute Arm model can meet the measurement and monitoring requirements in the most challenging environments.
The IP54 protection is a first for portable measuring arms and is accompanied by another environmental upgrade, namely the system's maximum working temperature, which has been raised to 45°C. Together with the excellent portability and flexibility of the Absolute Arm, these upgrades form a perfect system to meet the demands of hot and dusty environments. Metrological level inspection is increasingly present in these areas worldwide.
"In recent years, the places where our measuring arms are used have changed, explains Anthony Vianna, product manager for portable measuring arms at Hexagon. While in the past, most measuring arms were installed in a clean metrology room, today they are used in manufacturing shops, foundries and near machining centers. That's why this upgrade to the Absolute Arm line is so important. We want our customers to be able to use it with confidence in these and other environments. There's another trend that's been going on for a few years. The Absolute Arm is also becoming more and more interesting for smaller companies that do not necessarily have a large infrastructure, including appropriate air conditioning in the measurement areas. The world is constantly changing and new markets are emerging. So it's important that we listen to these customers and make relevant improvements for them."
This upgrade goes hand in hand with the optimized functionality of the Absolute Arm's new wrist touch screen and the RDS software, which controls it. These changes are designed to further facilitate the measurement process on the ground by providing more functionality at the point of measurement and reducing the need to go back and forth between the measuring arm and the control computer, whether to check the collected data or to adjust measurement profiles. The RDS platform now provides one-click diagnostics and updates for easy maintenance and support within Hexagon's renowned global service network.
Interfacing with the Hexagon HxGN SFx | Asset Management solution covers another aspect of the reliability and portability requirements placed on metrology systems, and further extends the application range of the new Absolute Arm range. With this service - a one-year subscription is included as standard with every new Absolute Arm - portable measuring arms can be tracked and monitored remotely via a dedicated dashboard. Users can easily keep track of where their measuring arms are being used and ensure that each one is up-to-date, properly calibrated and certified. They even receive alerts in the event of a shock or status change.
"Over the past few years, we have seen metrology manufacturers make "linear" upgrades to their products. For example, the accuracy of devices has been improved by a few microns, says Duncan Redgewell, president of the Metrology Systems business unit at Hexagon. With the new Absolute Arm, we have integrated new features into the measuring arm that will allow customers to measure even better, faster and easier."
On-site measurement with the Absolute Arm has become even easier with these new models thanks to the optimized connectivity since the first launch of the current Hexagon generation. With the CP-W Wireless Pack - also with IP54 protection rating - every Absolute Arm performs high-speed measurement and scanning at any time, even with a wireless connection. Another feature that makes the Absolute Arm portable measuring arm perfect for non-traditional measuring applications, carried out outside the quality lab.
This high speed performance is particularly evident in the 3D scanning tasks performed with the Absolute Scanner AS1, on the market since 2021. Along with the new Absolute Arm models, the AS1 scanner will also feature IP54 protection, whether used with a portable measuring arm or as a handheld or automated 3D scanner in combination with a laser tracker.
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