Hexagon launches portable robotic arm 3D laser scanner

     Hexagon's Manufacturing Intelligence division has introduced the RS-SQUARED area scanner for absolute arms, pairing the area scanner with a portable measuring arm for the first time. RS-SQUARED is designed for high-speed scanning of simple shapes and surfaces, measuring parts much faster than traditional laser scanners or even other structured optical scanners.

     By combining the flexibility of a portable arm with the speed of structured light scanning technology, RS-SQUARED can acquire up to 4 square "tiles" of 3D point data per second, maintaining the probe's high-precision measurement of the arrival area even in difficult to measure situations. Since RS SQUARED does not require reference marks or a fringe projection like other similar scanners, the time required to scan parts is reduced to an absolute minimum.

     Hexago Product Manager Anthony Vianna said, "With RS-SQUARED, we want our users to scan their parts in the shortest possible time, which means not only the time to scan the whole part, but also the time to prepare the part. "RS-SQUARED is the first area scanner that does not use reference markers in the traditional way because the absolute arm makes the reference for it, which is one of the key factors that enables our users to take measurements with minimal downtime."

     The RS-SQUARED area scanner is a perfect complement to existing scanners, sensors and probes available for Hexagon absolute arms and represents an ultra-high-speed alternative best suited for large parts that require less detail. Just like the current RS6 and RS5 laser scanner systems, RS-SQUARED can be easily removed from the robotic arm at any time and can be replaced with another sensor or probe without the need for calibration.

     Along with the release of this ground-breaking new scanner, Hexagon also announced a new control package for the latest generation of Absolute arm systems. Both new control packages will provide full functionality via a single cable, helping to significantly reduce clutter on the shop floor. The high-end Wireless Pack model will also offer full-speed scanning performance over WiFi for all Absolute Arm scanners, including the flagship RS6 laser scanner and the new RS-SQUARED area scanner, as well as dual hot-swappable batteries for all-day power.