Hexagon has announced the launch of a new modular 3D laser scanner designed for large surface inspection

Hexagon's Manufacturing Intelligence division has announced the launch of a new modular 3D laser scanner designed for large surface inspection that can be used in conjunction with its laser tracker and portable measuring arm devices. The new Absolute Scanner AS1-XL uses the same SHINE technology as its flagship Absolute Scanner AS1, enabling it to collect extremely clean 3D data from the most challenging surface types at very high speeds. The new scanner has a wider scan line and is designed to examine large surfaces and deep cavities in inspection applications such as aerospace panels, Marine propellers and large automotive castings.

The AS1-XL has an ultra-wide scan line with a mid-range of 600 mm. This, combined with a point acquisition rate of 1.2 million points per second and a frame rate of 300 Hertz, makes it ideal for quickly scanning large surfaces without losing inspection details. The scanner also has an extended measuring interval distance of 700 mm, which, when combined with its operating range of 600 mm, enables a hidden point measurement capability of up to one meter.

"Even before the introduction of AS1, we wanted to provide the same level of data collection quality and automated preparation in devices focused on large-scale surface inspection," said Daniel Moser, Product Director of Laser Trackers at Hexagon. "We saw with the previous generation of scanners that there was already a need and application for a dedicated large scanning device in the market. With the AS1-XL, we are able to deliver on the promise of the large surface measurement concept in a more satisfying way, thanks to our new scanning technology, which is ten times faster than the previous generation of LAS-XL."

The proprietary intelligent exposure algorithms that make up Hexagon SHINE technology are key to the AS1-XL's performance, enabling it to digitize virtually any material, including multiple surface types and color finishes, in a single scan without having to adjust Settings. It is this and the scanner's automated compatibility that sets it apart from the previous generation of handheld devices, the LAS-XL. The AS1-XL's high measurement speed and large isolation distance make it ideal for a variety of automated inspection tasks - the former allows the scanner to keep up with modern robotics without becoming a bottleneck for the robot's path speed, and the latter minimizes the risk of collision by not requiring the robot's path to be so close to the inspection object.

Like the Absolute Scanner AS1, the AS1-XL features a modular concept design, Compatible with Hexagon's flagship laser Tracker and portable measuring Arm systems (Leica Absolute Tracker AT960 and Absolute ARM 7-axis, respectively). The fast mounting design and minimal warm-up time make the AS1 and AS1-XL a hot-swappable combination, allowing users to quickly move back and forth between high-density detailed scanning and larger surface inspection with instant notification using a portable arm or laser tracker.

"Absolute Scanner AS1 has really been well received by the market since its launch in 2021, and it's great to be able to complement our portable measuring arm family of 3D scanning kits with the same impressive equipment in the AS1-XL." Anthony says Vianna, product director for Hexagon's portable measuring arm. "Our Absolute Arm series offers market-leading measurement volumes up to 4.5 meters in diameter, making it an ideal platform for large devices such as the AS1-XL. Even with our smaller diameter models, the coverage of hidden areas provided by the extended isolation distance opens up many applications that were previously difficult to cover, such as automotive, rail and aerospace interiors."

Like the latest versions of the AS1 and Absolute Arm series, the AS1-XL is IP54 rated for safe and reliable operation in challenging shop floor environments where quality checks are increasingly used.

Source: Laser Network