A Hexagon customer needed to reverse engineer a pipe in a nuclear powerplant, but it was too dangerous for an operator to use a traditional tracker/scanner combo. Other ideas were discussed, but all had their share of drawbacks, including complexity and cost. The solution? Attach the Leica Absolute Tracker ATS600 to an Automatic Guided Vehicle (AGV), which would travel through the nuclear facility, and run the tracker remotely through the overview camera. This was possible because of cutting-edge scanning technology built into the world’s first ever direct scanning laser tracker.
This newest laser tracker is anything but traditional. That is why we compiled a list of the top 3 technological advancements that make it a game-changer for the future of laser tracker systems and operators’ measurement efficiency.
1) Ditch the Reflectors
The Leica Absolute Tracker ATS600 is the first ever laser tracker that can measure without a reflector.
This gives operators the ability to measure things that were up to now out of reach, like the inside of a furnace or a nuclear plant. With unprecedented Scanning Absolute Distance Meter (ADM) capabilities, theATS600 can locate a point up to 60 metres away with sub-millimeter accuracy.
The future is automation and the ATS600 is built with this in mind. Without the need for probes, spray, or a target at the point of measurement, a previously occupied operator is free to perform other tasks while the ATS600 is measuring.
The ATS600 can still be used with reflectors if needed. In fact, for some applications a recommended usage would be a combined measurement, where direct scanning is used to inspect large parts and reflectors are in place for features requiring additional precision.
2) Take Control with Selective Scanning
Collect only the data you’re interested in, and nothing else. With selective scanning, you control the level of detail being fed into your metrology software. Define your target measurement with the integrated Overview Camera or by using CAD data and avoid sorting through unnecessary data, saving you time.
3) Increase Flexibility with Seamless metrology Integration
We built the ATS600 to integrate with all accepted metrology software packages, including Inspire and SpatialAnalyzer, so you have a wide range of options available to ensure you choose the ideal software for your application.
The ATS600 goes where you go, thanks to excellent portability. The lightweight ATS600 can be transported in one small flight case, making it easy to take it with you anywhere around the globe. This is the perfect solution when trying to measure very large parts that don’t easily move, like a 15-foot-tall tiger statue! Cable-free, hot-swappable battery power only adds to the portability factor.
We could continue listing the ways the ATS600 gives you unparalleled measuring efficiency, like PowerLock or WiFi Connectivity. If you’re interested in learning more, talk to your local Hexagon representative or visit the Leica Absolute Tracker ATS600 product page. Watch the video below for a taster of what the ATS600 can do.
