The importance of accuracy in Laser Tracker Systems (LT) is its function as a standard measurement for a wide range of equipment and facilities.
Ideal for measuring medium to large parts and providing an ultra-portable solution for large-scale inspection and assembly applications, industrial laser trackers have become an essential piece of metrology equipment in all kinds of industries. Laser trackers offer accurate 3D measurement to reflectors, while the addition of six-degrees of freedom (6DoF) functionality enables the use of handheld probes, laser scanners and machine control solutions. From surface inspections in the automotive body shop to large-volume measurements in energy industry installations, or metrology-guided automated aircraft assembly systems, the speed, accuracy and portability of laser tracker technology delivers data, when and where it is needed.
Laser Tracker measuring principle
The LT is a measuring instrument that tracks the movement of a reflector and calculates its position in spherical coordinates. The distance to the reflector can be measured by an interferometer or by an absolute distance meter (ADM), while the inclination angles and azimuthal are measured by two angular encoders. The reflector returns the laser beam, where the beam strikes a position sensor (PSD) that detects any change in position causing the movement of the axes of LT so that the laser beam is incident on the optical center of the reflector. Thus the LT head constantly monitors the position of the reflector. There are also reflectors mounted on rotating devices with two degrees of freedom which can also follow the LT beam, which allow the simultaneous movement of the emitter and reflector so that both seek its correct alignment. This expands the measurement possibilities with moving equipment (machine tools, robots) without need for multiple reflectors or interrupt the measurement process to move or redirect the spotlight.
Laser Tracker work with Portable Scanning Bundle
Leading metrology and manufacturing solution specialist Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence has announced the launch of the Leica Absolute Tracker AT960-SR, a lower-budget addition to the popular AT960 range of laser trackers. Only available as part of a bundle offer with one of Hexagon’s leading laser scanner products, the AT960-SR is designed for applications with smaller measurement volume requirements that still demand the unbeatable speed and accuracy performance of Hexagon’s flagship laser tracker line. Smaller-scale applications for which an AT960-SR system would meet every need exist across almost every sector in which high-accuracy metrology is important. This makes the AT960-SR a better value option for cost-conscious businesses and organizations across a wide range of industries such as automotive, aerospace, energy, railways and research etc.
Powered by Hexagon’s AIFM and mini variozoom optical technology, the AT960-SR delivers the complete high-end functionality for which the AT960 range is known, and remains fully compatible with Hexagon’s leading probing and scanning accessories such as the Leica T-Probe, Leica Absolute Scanner LAS and the Leica T-Scan 5, as well as standard reflectors. The AT960-SR is optimised to operate over a measuring volume of up to 10 metres in diameter for 6DoF measurement, corresponding to a measuring volume of approximately 400 cubic metres.
