What’s striking about this device is that it offers both a universal high-speed 3D scanning solution and an unmatched simplicity of operation in the marketplace.

With a scanner that’s permanently incorporated into the seventh axis, you can scan a range of different surfaces and control the automatic laser power by just the touch of one button. In virtually no time at all, the Romer 7-Axis is ready to scan without warming up or undergoing any kind of homing procedure. The arm’s patented Infinite Rotation feature is also a major plus for areas that are hard to reach, while keeping it protected from rotational hard stops.

Store hundreds of profiles
How well self-contained is the 7-Axis? The arm’s Kinematic Probe Joint enables you repeated connection of probes, so there’s no need for recalibration. And thanks to the automatic probe recognition of the device, you get instant recall on hundreds of calibrated probe profiles.

There’s plenty more unique features of the Romer 7-Axis arm to share – in fact, 9 more of them! Click here to learn more about the fantastic ergonomics and ease of use that this device brings to your next project.

Both are influenced by:

• Accuracy of the scanning equipment
• Conditions for the measurement to occur

Measuring the degree of error

No measurement tool achieves absolute perfect data capture every time. Even with our advanced tools for scanning at Exact Metrology, we have to factor in a certain margin of error with each measurement. When we refer to “error,” it’s not to say the measurement is invalid but instead speaking of the distance from what is accepted as the true measurement. The smaller the error, the more accurate the measurement.

The Dartboard Analogy

The easiest way to describe the differences between accuracy and precision is to picture a dartboard. If you were to throw dart after dart at the board, hitting the center bullseye every time, you would have exceptional accuracy. If you were to throw one dart after another and each one hit in the same place on the dartboard with regularity – which may not be the bullseye – you would have very good precision.

Now let’s bring this concept back to the scanning process.
When a scanner is out of calibration, it may be producing the same results that are consistently inaccurate. So it is precise, but not accurate. When a scanner is accurate and measuring within an acceptable range of error, it is also precise due to its consistency of measurement.

Resolution: The Finer Points

Besides considering accuracy and precision in measurement, you have to consider the points that can be measured on a surface. That’s where the object’s resolution is considered. To learn more about this vital part of the equation and view how resolution looks different among a variety of Breuckmann 3-D Sensors, click here.

Fully operational, everything is in working order. Less than 2000 total runtime hours. For more information , please call us at 866-722-2600 or email deans@ExactMetrology.com.

When they build the interior of a refrigerator cabinet, it’s measured to within 3/1000 of an inch to ensure a square of nearly flawless dimensions.

Obsessed with perfection? You could say that about Sub-Zero and Wolf, a premium manufacturer of built-in luxury appliances. But then, that’s probably the reason why homeowners who begin kitchen remodeling projects will replace everything including their kitchen sink – but rarely a refrigerator, freezer or oven with the Sub-Zero and Wolf name on it.

So can you imagine when a company like this needs all their internal processes to be just as perfect?

At Exact Metrology, it was a call we were thrilled to answer.

“Exact Metrology has a very similar philosophy to Sub-Zero and Wolf in taking care of the customer first and foremost. Any time there is a piece of equipment we have that needs special attention, it’s a call to Exact Metrology, who can provide that equipment to us on a very timely basis.”

- Mark Swartz, Corporate Quality Director, Sub-Zero and Wolf

Sub-Zero and Wolf had been studying ways of how they could bring more automation to their production facilities while making sure every design specification they made was still exceeding the expectations of customers and suppliers.

Greater precision in their design measurements would provide the company with a better understanding of their internal process capabilities, which in turn would only help in the product development phase.

Taking precision beyond the kitchen
Part of the challenge that Sub-Zero and Wolf faced was that they weren’t looking for precise data in just one part of their Madison, Wisconsin facility. They required it anywhere it was required, from the shop floor to several of their labs.

We knew this called for the portability and agility of our ROMER CMM device. When you need to take coordinate metrology “on the road” so to speak in that the device has to go where a traditional machine can’t, you can take the ROMER portable arm directly to the part for greater flexibility. At just 17 pounds, the arm is the lightest device of its kind.

To watch a video of the ROMER in action, click here.

This is ideal for large workpieces that are a major challenge to move, especially as Sub-Zero and Wolf required several points of production for analysis that weren’t in any proximity to one another.

It “knows” accuracy even before you turn it on
Precision is vital, but so is a measuring arm that doesn’t demand a great deal in the way of set-up at each point of measurement. Thankfully, the ROMER Arm features absolute encoders at its primary axis, so there’s no homing procedure necessary prior to conducting measurement. In other words, it has absolute precision built right in.

With the project a success, Sub-Zero and Wolf didn’t have to imagine increased capacity for production. They could measure it down to the absolute finest degree.

That was 9 years ago. And we’ve been preserving their solid reputation ever since.

That’s right. We’ve been doing business with Sub-Zero and Wolf for quite some time now, watching them purchase a variety of our laser scanning inspection devices, a laser scanning head to each ROMER Arm so they can do reverse engineering and many large stationary measurement machines.

ROMER at a Glance
Take a look at this snapshot of the ROMER for an overview of its best features:

One of the most in demand features we’re seeing of CMMs is the ability to bring all the precision of a stationary piece of equipment to a device that’s portable. After all, when it’s a monumental-sized material that requires scanning, sometimes bringing the material to the scanner just isn’t an option.

We’re just fine with that. Because here at Exact Metrology, we’re glad to come to our clients with the most portable CMM in the world – the Leica Geosystems Absolute Tracker AT401. At a mere 33lbs., it’s a device so light and easy to maneuver, it can fit comfortably above our heads in the overhead bin of an airplane.

Harsh and unforgiving environments preferred.

When we touch down on site, that’s where this CMM really goes to work. Thanks to its integrated LAN communication, the Leica’s sensor can be used wirelessly over a large area. And when that large area has conditions that include dust, rain, spraying coolant (you name it), we know it’s up to the challenge because it’s the first laser tracker that’s been certified for outdoor use.

To learn more about what this complete laser tracking package can accomplish for your next project, for under $90,000, click here and get an even closer look at its finest features.

2006 FARO F04. Gage Plus Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM)

• Power-Gage with Programmer
• Demo Arm – FARO PowerGage system with Programmer
• 4 Foot Measurement Arm
• 48″ Working Volume
• Accurate to 0.0002″
• Includes Dell Laptop Computer
• PowerGage Programmer Software
• Program Player Software (Play Only)
• Mounting Hardware
• One 3mm and 6mm Zicron Hard Probes
• GAGE Software for USB Option
• Optional case included. Very sturdy case.
• Very Low Use

Exact Metrology, Inc. is a full service contract measurement company that provides on-site inspection, reverse engineering, non-contact laser scanning, and 3D digitizing services as well as contract programming, software training, and measurement equipment sales and implementation. With decades of combined experience, Exact Metrology’s application engineers utilize the latest in portable measurement technology to scan parts as small as a fingernail to assemblies over 30 meters in length. Exact Metrology also has extensive experience in scanning for architectural, civil engineering and surveying applications such as manufacturing facilities, nuclear plants and entire cityscapes.

For more information, please contact deans@exactmetrology.com or call 866-722-2600.

Raising high above the stained glass, the giant boom holding one of the world’s best scanners stood tall at the alter.

Now there’s something you don’t see every Sunday.

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Hartland, Wisconsin is about 110 years old. But what the church is doing with Exact Metrology today is bringing a long-time icon into the digital age and the surrounding community.

Mounted on the walls of the church’s sanctuary lies a giant, hand-carved wooden cross made by a local artist. We’ve used a Surphaser to scan the cross’ every detail. Why? While the icon has been admired by the church’s congregation for over 10 years, the Surphaser’s scanning capabilities will allow the church to reproduce the distinct details of the cross in smaller variations, thus extending its connection to the sculpture far beyond the church’s sanctuary.

Divine Inspiration For A Project

How did we get here? Jeff Gratz had the vision about a year ago. As the long-time member was sitting in church gazing up at the wooden cross, he suddenly came to view it from a new perspective.

“I realized that we had this beautiful piece of art hanging in our church and many new members didn’t fully understand its history,” says Gratz. “And I began to wonder if there was a way to duplicate the exact cross hanging in the church on a smaller scale while staying true to the detail.”

Gratz’s first route was to enlist the help of a CAD professional to build a model, measuring the dimensions of the cross and working several hours on that model. However, in the end, what both men realized was that the CAD model simply couldn’t achieve the same detail as the original cross. So although he’d been granted permission to recreate the work by the artist, Gratz knew he wouldn’t be doing it justice going the CAD route.

Without a strong solution, the project began to stall and Gratz questioned if it would ever resume.

New Momentum From Exact Metrology

In the midst of researching online, Gratz stumbled upon an article about reverse engineering. It seemed like the scanning process could be done on small projects but could any device accurately scan the church’s mammoth cross?

The answer was yes.

As luck (or fate) would have it, Gratz also discovered Exact Metrology’s website, where he learned that not only we had the advanced hardware to scan the cross but that we had an office in Milwaukee nearby. The project immediately re-gathered steam.

Flexibility Meets Precision In One Package

For brilliantly scanning 3D digital images in a device that’s also very portable, our Surphaser scanner has regularly been one of our best options in a variety of remote locations. With a scan rate of up to 1.2 million points per second, projects like these can be completed in hours rather than days.

But of course, the object we were scanning wasn’t anywhere near eye level. We knew a project of this magnitude called for not only a Surphaser, but a boom that could secure the Surphaser over twenty feet in the air.

“Working with Exact Metrology has been great. Once I talked to their team, I became tremendously excited about getting the work done. I’m absolutely amazed at the detail and precision of the scanning technology to capture this object from all angles.”

– Jeff Gratz, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church

One of the primary benefits of using a Surphaser in tandem with a boom is that when you have a mounted object, such as a large cross on a church wall, you don’t have to remove that object whatsoever. In this case, such a task of taking the cross off, scanning it and putting it back would’ve been very labor-intensive. And who knows what kind of minor damage it could’ve potentially incurred during that movement?

Instead, the Surphaser was able to complete the scanning work with relative ease, enabling the cross to stay right in its native environment without moving an inch.

Now that Our Savior’s Lutheran Church has numerous ways to duplicate an exact replica of its most iconic object, a number of ideas are already taking shape – from using their cross on new brochures to having smaller versions available at community events.

Do you have a large object that you’d like to duplicate but would be a major challenge to move from its current location? Talk to Exact Metrology and see how our Surphaser technology can perform beautifully in your existing surroundings with minimal disruption.

Sponsored by Exact Metrology and Geomagic

Join us for a free hands-on 3D Metrology and Reverse Engineering Workshop
You have heard about how the latest advances in scanning, portable CMMs, trackers, 3D Reverse Engineering and Inspection software are revolutionizing manufacturing and engineering processes. Now you have the chance to experience these technologies in a hands-on workshop hosted by Exact Metrology and Geomagic.
• Experience hands-on demonstrations of scanner hardware from Hexagon, NDI, Surphaser, Breuckmann and Artec.
• Understand how Geomagic 3D reverse engineering and inspection software can power your way to greater productivity.
• Learn about best practices for choosing a scanner and software that specifically fits your unique engineering operation.
• Understand how 3D Metrology and Reverse Engineering can help you.

Click here to Register Now for this free event.