Ametek Land, a manufacturer of monitors and analysers for industrial infrared non-contact temperature measurement, has launched the MWIR-B-640 mid-wavelength borescope for furnace applications. Users of the MWIR-B-640 can take, store and trend accurate and radiometric temperature measurement image data over the lifetime of the furnace, providing a continuous and clear view, even through heavy smoke and hot atmospheres.

Applications for the device include hydrocarbon processing reformers; heat treatment; reheat, cement kiln and annealing furnaces; biomass, waste and coal boilers; and incinerators. The new borescope features spectral filtering and a high thermal and spatial resolution to deliver clear live images of the furnace, boiler and stock, with more than 300,000 accurate point temperatures measuring in the range of 300-1200°C and 500-1800°C.

Notably, the high-resolution image of the MWIR-B-640, combined with a 90° wide-angle field of view, allows the imaging and measuring of multiple areas simultaneously. With a wide-angle view into the furnace, users can see the image data in real-time from the safety of the control room. With only a small opening in the wall, the MWIR-B-640 can accurately profile the temperature of the entire furnace without affecting the furnace atmosphere, stock temperature or energy consumption.

“The MWIR-B-640 is an invaluable tool that will prolong furnace and boiler lifetime, optimise production throughput, reduce energy consumption and improve stock temperatures,” says David Primhak, director of development and product management for Ametek Land. “It has a range of innovative features that ensure it is user-friendly, extremely accurate, and offers a high level of asset protection.”

For further information
www.ametek-land.com

LK Metrology has expanded its Freedom arm range of 3D articulating-arm metrology systems, or portable measuring arms, with the launch of five ultra-accuracy models in both six-axis and seven-axis variants. The 10 new arms bring the total number of different varieties available from LK to 34.

Called Freedom Ultimate and Freedom Ultimate Scan, the new arms are available with measurement volumes from 2.5 to 4.5 m. Each model complements the comparable size of existing Freedom Classic and higher accuracy Freedom Select products with six axes designed for touch probing, as well as the seven-axis Scan equivalents for multi-sensor metrology, including laser scanning.

The ultra-accuracy arms, which come with a calibration sphere and verification bar carrying ISO 17025 certification, offer increased precision in applications from quality control and on-machine verification, through to reverse engineering, virtual assembly design and 3D modelling. Up to 8% more measuring accuracy is available than the next most precise product range, Select, while compared with the entry-level Classic arms the improvement is up to 43%.

By introducing the extra degree of freedom in all Scan models, Nikon Metrology is providing infinite movement to enable scanning with the company’s ModelMaker H120 laser scanner. All arms are available with a variety of probe kits, styli, mounting rings (including some with a magnetic or vacuum base), tripods, rolling stands and carts with laptop arm.

Carbon-fibre tubular construction ensures stability under challenging operational conditions, while a proprietary counter balance makes manual movements light, promoting ease-of-use even when trying to access awkward areas. Optional Wi-Fi connectivity and battery power allow completely portable wireless measurement.

For further information
www.lkmetrology.com

Following rigorous tests spanning thousands of hours, a new laser radar system for shop-floor quality control has been introduced by the metrology arm of Japanese camera giant Nikon. The APDIS laser radar, an automated, non-contact metrology solution, inspects features at double the speed of the previous version and, according to Nikon, delivers high-accuracy measurements equivalent to those provided by a horizontal-arm CMM.

Nikon Metrology’s laser radar products employ a focused laser beam and heterodyne interferometry to measure range accurately. This configuration produces a sensitive radar that is capable of performing measurements on almost any surface, irrespective of reflection.

Suitable for the repetitive, labour-intensive, complex measuring of objects from a long stand-off distance, and able to access even hard-to-reach areas without the need for photogrammetry targets, retroreflectors, handheld probes or surface preparation, APDIS may be used in numerous manufacturing sectors, including aerospace, automotive, renewable energy, research and indeed any large-scale environment.

A new, high-definition camera coupled with new Nikon confocal optics allow for enhanced viewing of what is being inspected. Better usability results from reducing the unit’s weight by 40% and its size by a quarter, while internal changes and comprehensive testing have further raised the level of reliability.

The APDIS range comprises four models, two of which are the MV430E and MV450E, having a 30 or 50 m radius measuring range respectively. These versions promote the use of APDIS scanners as a non-contact accelerometers by pointing the laser beam at any surface to measure vibrations at up to 2000Hz, which can be useful when assessing installations or equipment.

There are also MV430 and MV450 standard versions without the improvements for applications where top speed and vibration analysis are not required.

For further information
www.nikonmetrology.com

Faro Technologies is releasing its next-generation Vantage laser tracker six degrees of freedom (6DoF) probe. The new 6Probe offers portability and is compatible with Faro Vantage S6 and E6 laser trackers, enabling users to build, inspect and measure products faster and with greater accuracy. In fact, Faro reports that typical users of the new 6Probe can now save at least 30 minutes of time on any given workday.

With kinematic self-identifying styli, users can now change probing tips quickly and measure without any recalibration, while also measuring hidden areas outside of the tracker’s line of sight with wider acceptance angles.

“The next-generation Vantage laser tracker 6DoF probe extends maximum measurement consistency and reliability in a variety of working environments, delivering best-in-class performance through faster and easier probing than previous models,” says Leo Martinez, Faro’s product marketing manager. “With Super 6DoF and conventional 6DoF probing, Faro offers the industry’s most comprehensive 6DoF solutions available.”

Faro ActiveSeek, a feature to automatically locate and follow the active target, enhances 6DoF and standard probing. Trackers from Faro support the patented Super 6DoF TrackArm solution, which allows the Vantage and one or more Faro ScanArms to work together, thus creating an integrated contact and non-contact 3D measurement system for large-volume measurement. With a range of up to 60 m (with a 4 m reach), Super 6DoF eliminates line-of-sight challenges and expands measurement range while maintaining accuracy, says the company.

The Vantage platforms offer large-volume 3D measurement up to 80 m, streamlining processes and reducing inspection cycle times.

For further information
www.faro.com

Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division is launching a new software plug-in that will allow full operation of Hexagon structured light scanning systems from within the third-party inspection software platform PolyWorks, developed by InnovMetric Software. This move represents the first implementation of a new SDK released by Hexagon that allows a third-party software environment to take full hardware control of any of the company’s structured light scanners.

The SLS-PW plug-in, and any subsequently developed plug-ins, will let users streamline their scanning and inspection workflow into a single software environment, with clear productivity benefits. Notably, the increased efficiency of a single platform workflow will reduce inspection times by eliminating the need to export and import measurement data between separate programs, as well as by minimising training needs.

Dirk Rieke-Zapp, commercial product manager – structured light scanners, says: “The need to use proprietary stand-alone software solutions to operate structured light scanning systems is an issue faced by users across the industry, whether they are using scanners from Hexagon or other manufacturers. With the development of this new SDK for our range of structured light scanners, we’re making it possible for users to deeply integrate this type of high-detail scanning within their existing metrology workflows by completely removing the need to insert proprietary software at the measurement step of the inspection process.”

When added to the existing versatility of the PolyWorks platform, the SLS-PW plug-in delivers a flexible solution for companies that run a range of metrology hardware and wish to simplify their workflows.

For further information
www.hexagonmi.com