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.

It sounds like the beginning of a joke, but it’s actually the very real scenario that a couple and their longtime friend encountered over and over again as they brainstormed the concept for a new accessory to their iPad 2.

During those ideation sessions, someone realized that what the iPad really needed was a safe way to secure it on the go. After all, what could be worse than accidentally dropping a beloved tablet?

Thus, Grablet was born.

This ingenious little device comes with a hand pad and hand strap to enable the user to custom fit an iPad 1 or 2 to their own hand, prop up their iPad at the perfect angle for typing and hang their iPad practically anywhere they want – from a kitchen cabinet to a car headrest.

But before the three friends could take their product out into the world officially, they had a significant challenge. Three of them, actually.

How could they…

1. Be absolutely sure the mold of the Grablet they were designing would perfectly fit any iPad 1 and
2. Create the product
3. Get the Grablet ready to launch and market within 30 days, in time for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

For help with the first step, scanning the iPads for a perfect Grablet fit, it’s little wonder the design team turned to us at Exact Metrology.

Grabbing Onto a Lightning-Quick Turnaround

“We’re sending you the iPads tonight and we need the scans done tomorrow. Is that possible?”

Talk about an extremely hot project. Good thing we had a couple things in our favor at Exact Metrology. For one thing, we’ve already done several projects related to after market accessories using the iPad2.

Even more importantly, we scanned the iPads using the Breuckmann smartScan HE 5.0 White Light scanner.

Considering the 3D data for processing had to be highly precise, the Breuckmann is one of the most high-resolution measurement systems on the market today.

With fields of view up to 2500 mm, this scanner can digitize practically any object in under 1 minute – sometimes as fast as just a few seconds. Rather than an approach that only captures surface points, the Breuckmann accurately captures complete surfaces of the object it’s measuring.

Even in a tight window of time, Exact Metrology had ample time to scan and capture the objects at a variety of angles, providing the design team at Grablet with the essential data required to design a precise product for the iPad 2.

Their appearance at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas a great success, we look forward to using our own Grablets soon, knowing that we played a significant role in the product’s launch.

If your needs demand reverse engineering, automotive design, serial production or even the next accessory to the iPad 2, let’s talk about how Exact Metrology’s team can help optimize your project for production.

Exact Metrology has recently acquired this used Faro 3D Scanning Arm, which is available for immediate sale. The details are as folows:

Faro Arm Platinum 8′ 7-axis, purchased new in 2011
Bluetooth capable
Laser Line V3 probe with calibration plate
Granite surface plate
Magnet mounting plate
Rapidform XOR software with licensing

For more information on this arm, please call us at 866-722-2600 or email deans@ExactMetrology.com.

Quality Expo Texas

Where: Fort Worth Convention Center, Fort Worth, Texas

When: March 14-15, 2012

Exact Metrology will be exhibiting in booth #945 at Quality Expo Texas in Fort Worth.

For more information or to register to attend the show, please click here.

116th Metalcasting Congress

Where: Hyatt Regency Columbus, Columbus, Ohio

When: April 17-20, 2012

Exact Metrology will be exhibiting in booth #210 at the 116th Metalcasting Congress in Columbus, Ohio.

For more information or to register to attend the show, please click here.

International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS)

Where: McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois

When: September 10-15, 2012

Exact Metrology will be exhibiting at IMTS in Chicago, Illinois.

For more information or to register to attend the show, please click here.

Years from now, the Department of Defense may very well have an understanding of the effects of radiation that is even more advanced than anything science has explained through its data to this point.

How? An exciting new multipurpose electron accelerator being designed on the campus of Indiana University called the ALPHA Project (Advanced Electron-Photon Facility).

Giving The Small Lab Big Possibilities

A joint collaboration between Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center and IU’s Center for Exploration of Energy and Matter (IUCEEM), ALPHA opens up possibilities on the scientific front to beyond its findings on radiation.

Up to this point, small research labs could only utilize a compact X-ray source and therefore be limited in the kind of scientific experiments conducted. Once the ALPHA is fully implemented, the X-ray sources produced will be 10,000 times greater than the rotating anode used today by small labs. As a result, ALPHA will be able to more deeply probe the properties of biological and condensed matter systems, giving the scientific community a whole new range of insights into X-Ray and VUV sources.

With its impact on a number of scientific and technological levels, ALPHA isn’t just any addition to a university. As you can probably imagine, a project of ALPHA’s magnitude requires nothing less than precise alignment of its various injection and storage ring components. It’s critical that the electron radiation dose from ALPHA achieve consistency at all times.

Which is why the team at IUCEEM turned to us at Exact Metrology.

Making ALPHA An Exact Science

Working with IU’s team of physicists, engineers, technicians and students, Exact Metrology used a 901 Laser Tracker with T-Probe during three critical phases of the design project. This particular piece of technology was used on ALPHA’s 15-ton dipole magnets as well as some of the machine’s hardest areas to reach – the injection, ring and extraction areas that help deliver optimal performance.

First Phase

In our initial phase of the project, Exact Metrology set the main magnet corner dipoles, which would provide a standardized coordinate system and layout positions for rough assembly.

Second Phase

Exact Metrology’s involvement in next phase of the project was truly essential in allowing ALPHA to start its “first beam” and begin primary testing. We aligned all the necessary equipment of the system to within 0.020” tolerance, including test equipment, vacuum components, guide tubes and auxiliary magnets. This enabled a stronger vacuum within ALPHA’s system.

Third Phase

Upon Exact Metrology’s third visit to ALPHA, we aligned all the previous equipment we’d handled before to within 0.004” tolerance as well as setting new equipment to that tolerance level.

What Lies Ahead

We’re looking forward to returning to ALPHA for the final steps in aligning the machine’s most critical components. During that phase, we’ll be striving to meet a magnetic tolerance even better than .0004”.

Ironically, it’s the extremely finite calculations Exact Metrology is making today on ALPHA that will have an immeasurable influence on scientific research and technology tomorrow.

The HDS7000 allows Exact Metrology to provide better data quality over longer ranges. The HDS7000’s maximum range of 187 m is best-in-class for phase-based scanners, and the ultra-high speed scanning of more than 1 million points per second helps us to get high quality scans done faster. To request a quotation for our contract services, please visit our quote request page.

In addition to using the HDS7000 Laser Scanner in our contract services business, we will also rent the scanner out by the day, week or month. Please visit our Rental Equipment Page for more information.

Have really old metrology equipment?

With the Exact Metrology Trade-In Program, it’s never too soon – or too late – for an upgrade. Give us your old arm, scanner or tracker, working or not, for cash back towards the purchase of the latest and greatest portable metrology equipment available.

There’s no sense is keeping old, unused metrology equipment when Exact Metrology will take your old equipment, working or not, off your hands and give you cash back towards the purchase of a more advanced version.

The Exact Metrology Trade-In program. It’s a way to convert to new technology that’s a whole lot smarter for your budget. For more information, contact us via the website or call us at 866.722.2600.

For more information on this arm, please call us at 866-722-2600 or email deans@ExactMetrology.com.