FEATURE ON METROLOGY

New Semi-Automatic Three-Axis Video Measurement System

Optical Gaging Products (OGP), a manufacturer of optical and precision multi-sensor metrology systems for industrial quality control, is launching StarLite S1, an all-new semi-automatic three-axis video measurement system.

StarLite S1 is a compact, workbench-style video measurement system that combines fully automatic video measurements with the simplicity of manual stage motion. Designed for ease of use and dependable performance, StarLite S1 features the all-new IntelliCentric-S Optical System, combining fixed-lens optics and Virtual Zoom technology that delivers high-resolution images and accurate measurement results.

Standard illumination includes all-LED coaxial lighting, substage profile lighting and SmartRing light illumination. This advanced lighting system provides programmable control of both light direction and incidence angle, enabling operators to effectively inspect challenging part features and measurement applications.

“StarLite S1 is one of the easiest-to-use precision measurement systems offered by OGP,” points out Tim Fantauzzo, Vice President of North American Sales. “Manufacturers requiring quick, highly accurate walk-up measurements on the shop floor or in the metrology lab, or those needing high-magnification measurements without a bulky comparator or toolmaker’s microscope, can all benefit. StarLite S1 delivers measurements you’d expect from a high-performance metrology system, delivering fast, reliable, and repeatable results in a compact and affordable package.”

The system is driven by Measure-X® metrology software, which combines powerful programming capabilities with an intuitive operator interface. Measurement routines can be created to guide operators through automated inspection sequences, streamlining operations and improving productivity.More information www.ogpnet.com

Software maximises tube and wire inspection productivity

Hexagon has released a major update to its BendingStudio XT, introducing new capabilities designed to cut cycle times in series production and support the manufacture of electric vehicle components. The latest version also adds integrated support for handheld 3D scanners, extending tube and wire inspection capabilities to a wider range of metalworking operations.

At the heart of the enhanced offering is Hexagon’s TubeInspect system, a purpose-built inspection cell delivering near-instant, non-contact measurement directly on the shopfloor. High-speed optical inspection provides precise results within seconds, enabling manufacturers to maintain tight tolerances in demanding production environments. The system is designed to deliver repeatable accuracy even in oily, dusty or high-temperature conditions through advanced temperature compensation and ISO 17025-certified calibration.

The updated BendingStudio XT introduces simultaneous multi-part measurement, allowing operators to inspect several identical components at once for faster batch processing and improved quality assurance. Immediate pass/fail feedback simplifies quality control, while direct integration with production systems enables real-time correction data to be fed back to bending machines, helping reduce waste and improve consistency.

To support growing demand in the electric vehicle sector, Hexagon has also added dedicated correction reports for electric motor hairpins, enabling manufacturers to achieve higher precision when producing complex EV components.

The software now supports Hexagon’s ATLASCAN Pro and HYPERSCAN handheld 3D scanners, providing flexible inspection options for manufacturers measuring large pipework, exhaust systems and installed tube assemblies.

Christoph Dold, senior product manager at Hexagon, says the update helps manufacturers address skills shortages while improving productivity, adding that the company remains focused on turning “bits and bytes” into practical value on the shopfloor.

More information www.bit.ly/4wcBAXk

Equator X dual-method gauge: The future of metrology

Renishaw showcased its advanced manufacturing technologies and championed engineering careers at the recent MACH 2026 exhibition in Birmingham. Visitors could find solutions to improve process control, productivity and long-term competitiveness on the company’s stand, where demonstrations included the new Equator-X dual method gauge with intuitive MODUS IM software.

The set up showed how the system measures parts on the shop floor and delivers immediate feedback to production teams. Designed for high-speed shop floor gauging, the Equator-X system supports inspection at the point of manufacture, reduces scrap and enables fast, closed-loop adjustments to maintain part quality.

Renishaw’s new Equator-X dual-method gauging system brings added capability to the shop floor with its dual measurement functionality:‘absolute’ and ‘compare’. Users can select the optimum inspection mode for their process challenge, effectively deploying two systems in one.

In ‘absolute’ inspection mode, the Equator-X gauge performs as a high-speed production CMM, providing fully traceable inspection results (ISO 10360-2 = 2.1 μm + L / 300).Rapid measurement at scanning speeds of up to 250 mm/s, without the need to maintain master parts, is particularly useful for manufacturers withhigh part variation, low-to-medium production volumes and/or high frequency of inspection.

When used in ‘compare’ mode, the Equator‑X gauge delivers ultra-fast, highly repeatable inspection with scanning speeds up to 500 mm/s and ±2 μm repeatability across a wide temperature range. This is particularly useful for high volume manufacturing of parts, where throughput is key and environmental temperature changes are a challenge.

The Equator-X system is capable of absolute scan speeds of 250 mm/s and comparator speeds of up to 500 mm/s, far higher than conventional three-axis CMMs.

More information www.renishaw.com

ActionPlas enters F1 sector and secure future growth

Design and contract manufacturing firm ActionPlas Group has upgraded its quality control department with the purchase of an Altera M 20.12.10 co-ordinate measuring machine (CMM) from LK Metrology. The subcontractor specialises in machining and fabricating mainly plastic, but also metal, components and assemblies for sectors including automotive, food and drink, pharmaceutical, and power generation.

The new CMM supports pre-delivery inspection of high-value, complex machined and additively manufactured parts, including critical components for a Formula 1 team. The project formed part of a £1m investment programme focused on the F1 customer, where increasing component complexity and tight tolerances demanded enhanced inspection capability.

ActionPlas technical director Jonathan Wray says: “Previously we were struggling to measure these components, which feature complex geometry and demanding tolerances, using an ageing CMM from another manufacturer. Components used in F1 race cars must fit correctly first time, as failure at the racetrack is simply not an option.”

He continues: “We need to specify the exact form, orientation and location of features such as bores, aerofoils and wall thicknesses, with typical part-to-CAD tolerances of 10 microns.”

The Altera M 20.12.10 offers a working volume of 2.0 x 1.2 x 1 m and was supplied withRenishaw’s SP25M Scanning Probe Kit 2 for both high-speed scanning and touch probing. The package also included LK CAMIO 2025 R2 software, training and consultancy services.

LK supplied the machine from stock just two weeks after order placement. The CMM is now in daily use across ActionPlas’ R&D, quality control and production departments, helping the company secure increasingly complex and higher-value work.

More information www.lkmetrology.com

Blue laser scanner for CMMs now available from LK

A next-generation laser scanner designed for use on CMMs has been launched by LK Metrology, a global specialist in precision metrology solutions. Building on the success of the L100, the new L100NX introduces advanced blue laser technology, delivering superior scanning performance, accuracy and user experience.

Unlike its predecessor, which utilised red laser light, the new scanner employs a 450 nm blue light laser that reduces noise in scan data, resulting in cleaner and more reliable measurements. The advance is particularly beneficial for high-precision applications where data integrity is critical, such as in the aerospace and automotive sectors.

The L100NX combines speed and precision with a wide stripe width of 110 mm and a scanning rate of up to 530,000 points per second, making it suitable for inspecting large components productively. Its high accuracy ensures that even demanding inspection tasks may be handled with confidence.

At the heart of the L100NX is LK’s 4th-generation ESP (enhanced sensor performance) technology, which intelligently adjusts laser power for all 2000 points on the laser line. This capability allows the scanner to measure multi-material assemblies and reflective surfaces seamlessly without surface preparation or other manual intervention, streamlining the inspection process and reducing operator workload.

To further enhance usability, the sensor features an integrated rotation adaptor, enabling optimal orientation of the scanner for inspecting complex part geometries. Additionally, an integrated FOV (field of view) projector visually displays the scanner’s coverage area directly on to the part, simplifying programming and set up.

The L100NX scanner kit comes in a protective casing that, in addition to the scanner itself, contains all necessary accessories and documentation required for operation and basic maintenance.

More information www.lkmetrology.com