FARO's Sensor Probe by Renishaw for Quantum FaroArm

By DE Editors

Through its alliance with Renishaw (Gloucestershire, UK), FARO Technologies, Inc. (Lake Mary, FL) has produced the FARO SENSOR, a contact-sensing rigid probe for measurement arms developed exclusively for the Quantum FaroArm that functions as three sensors in one to offer hard probe, touch trigger, and scanning capability.

The Quantum's laptop computer simultaneously illustrates 3D measurements onscreen and records all the data. It creates a 3D "blueprint" of a part or machine component, making it an all-in-one portable tool for performing inspections, tool certification, CAD-to-part analysis, and reverse engineering. The sensing technology within the FARO SENSOR reduces the complexity of the measuring process by minimizing operator influence; its durable design is for use in tough industrial environments; and it has a range of styli that allow it to accurately probe hard-to-reach features.

In a second announcement from the company, FARO's all-new Laser ScanArm V3, uses technology that is said to be 30 percent more accurate, 33 percent lighter in weight, and improves performance in scanning dark or reflective surfaces than previous V2 models.

The Laser ScanArm V3 – which is compatible with FARO's Platinum FaroArm and the Quantum FaroArm – offers 35 micron accuracy compared to 50 microns on V2; uses Bluetooth cable-free operation enabling scanning up to 30 feet (10m) away without requiring cables or interface boxes; and 50 percent faster warm-up time compared to V2.

Introduced in 2003, the FARO Laser ScanArm was a 7-axis contact/noncontact measurement device with a fully integrated laser scanner. It enables users to collect simple point variations with the Arm's hard probe, then laser scan sections requiring larger volumes of data – without adding or removing attachments, untangling cabling, or having to use and import data from a separate CMM.

Compatible with Geomagic, PolyWorks, Rapidform, and other third-party software programs, the Laser ScanArm V3 will be available for sale globally in February 2008. Along with the Laser ScanArm V3, the FARO SENSOR probe made its debut at the 2007 Euromold Show in Frankfurt, Germany, the first week in December.

Learn more at Faro.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company's website.