This week Creaform released a new addition to its HandySCAN 3D Scanner line called the SILVER Series.
With more than 5000 users already, this proven, trusted and patented technology is the industry standard in portable metrology-grade 3D scanners. It will now be available at an accessible price for professionals and small businesses looking to grow their business by acquiring state-of-the-art measurement solutions.
Quality optics: Reliable and maximized scan quality with an accuracy of up to 0.030 mm (0.0015 in).
7 lasers crosses: Quickly capture the surfaces in the entire field of view with a scan area of 275 x 250 mm (10.8 x 9.8 in).
Versatility: One device for all shapes and sizes, it masters various objects regardless of the part size, complexity, material, or color.
Plug and play: A simple user interface and real-time visualization offers an ease of use and a short learning curve, regardless of the user’s experience or expertise level.
On the go scanning: Portable, lightweight and quick to set up, it can be up and running in less than 2 minutes, either in-house or on site.
Available in 2 models: Customers can choose from two models based on their business needs HandySCAN 307 or the HandySCAN 700.
Curious about the new CREAFORM Go!SCAN SPARK? Watch Adaptive’s own Frank Thomas as he demonstrates the capabilities of this portable, handheld 3D scanner.
The Go!SCAN SPARK is ideal for applications in automotive seating, aerospace interiors, and retail apparel like tennis shoes and sportswear.
Go!SCAN SPARK features four inline cameras for faster 3D scanning, and acquires both 3D color and texture in material. It features an ergonomic design that allows for different types of hand positions. It also outputs two types of files (.STL and .MOV) that are compatible with most 3D printers.
In this first video, Frank shows how quickly you can scan a sneaker and merge two images together.
In this video, Frank takes a classic laundry detergent bottle to illustrate how the scanner handles products with curves, labels, shiny surfaces.
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Are you experiencing bottlenecks producing prototypes with increasingly tight tolerances?
What about unwanted warranty defect claims, inaccurate data, or high return rates on parts?
Are you failing to meet requirement issues with FAI, PPAP, and AS9102?
This article examines the trends in manufacturing and the choices you have to make to measure and inspect parts and products for accuracy, quality, and consistency based on industry standards. Advancements in metrology equipment and software can help you maintain product functionality and make metrology easier to use.
More Demands for Advanced Metrology
The CREAFORM Go!SCAN-SPARK
Demand for metrology is growing, but not with just large manufacturers. Smaller companies can benefit, too.
In the past, suppliers used metrology to produce quality parts and products. Now, manufacturers in industries like automotive and aerospace are also requesting parts with tighter tolerances. This requires more advanced solutions.
In many industries, new innovations have opened up even more opportunities for advanced metrology solutions. One is the rise of AI and smart robots used in manufacturing. Two is the demand for cameras and sensors, such as laser scanners, to help with things like navigating self-driving vehicles.
In fact, the Global Metrology Market is expected to reach $1.25 billion by the end of 2027. That’s a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 6.82% through 2027 according to the latest report by Market Research Future®. This includes traditional coordinate measuring machines (CMMs), portable CMMs, laser scanners (like CREAFORM), and optical digitizers.
Current Metrology Obstacles: The Slowest Link in The Process
Manufacturers who need extremely tight part tolerances and accuracy may be skewed in the direction of the traditional manual CMM, but lack in flexibility. If you need to inspect high-volume, repetitive components with fewer resources you may need to look at an automated CMM.
Those who need more flexibility, especially with larger parts, can benefit from measuring equipment like portable metrology solutions. During the inspection process, it can reduce the number of iterations over days and even weeks to achieve the best possible product before it leaves the shop floor and with accuracy.
To choose the best option, you need to determine the right equipment and software for your measurement requirements.
“In a lot of organizations, (the traditional) CMM becomes the slowest link in the process,” shares Frank Thomas, Metrology and Additive Manufacturing Solution Specialist at Adaptive Corporation in a recent article in Digital Engineering. For one, many trips to the CMM for reworks can create bottlenecks.
In addition, Thomas explains, “You have to custom fixture the CMM, and there is a lot of turnover among programmers. Smaller companies with tighter budgets may look into buying a used traditional CMM, but there are challenges that may make them unappealing to these manufacturers.”
Some organizations have budget and staffing issues when thinking of investing in metrology solutions. One of the biggest challenges for smaller companies is equipment cost—large CMMs are expensive. They’re also complex to operate and manage leaving companies without experienced operators who can use them effectively.
Other key challenges in the manufacturing industry include getting accurate 3D models for inspection reports, validating the accuracy of converted 3D CAD models, and analyzing tolerances of manufactured parts.
In spite of these obstacles, there are solutions, like portable metrology.
How Can Portable Metrology Help Engineers?
Traditional metrology is tedious, complex, and costly. Portable methods are just the opposite.
According to Thomas, “Many engineers don’t understand how laser scanning or other forms of portable metrology can help them—when we show them the ability to 3D scan a part in a minute or
The HandySCAN-Black
two and in three mouse clicks, tell them if it matches their tolerance requirements or not—many have never seen that,” Thomas explains.
Portable metrology equipment, unlike traditional methods, is less costly and much easier to use with little training required. Parts and products can be inspected right on the CNC machine or the shop floor. You can quickly find out if they don’t pass and will need to be reworked before sending them to the customer.
Advanced portable metrology tools are available that make them easier to use, less costly to deploy, more adaptable to current formats and software, and still provide measurement accuracy.
Top 6 Advantages of Portable Metrology and 3D scanning for Engineers
Accurately measure parts in minutes regardless of size, shape complexity, material or color—even black or shiny surfaces, vibrations, or part displacement.
Arm-free probing systems to generate high-accuracy measurements, while freely moving, testing, and measuring right on the shop floor, in the lab, off-site, etc., and in unstable environments.
Easy to use and short learning curve makes it possible for operators to take reliable measurements regardless of their experience.
Advanced tracking and reporting solutions are available to dramatically decrease project lead times while increasing quality inspections.
High-quality CAD translation software to open, view, and compare converted 3D CAD models and quickly create quality inspection report forms and ballooned inspection drawings directly from other formats to meet FAI requirements.
3D Scanning solutions can quickly acquire accurate, high-resolution 3D measurements of physical objects even with complex contours and surfaces.
These are just a few solutions to help engineers provide tighter tolerances, avoid costly and time-consuming reworks, and provide measurement accuracy at a lower cost. Smaller companies can get started without much programming or operator training.
Summary
Demand for metrology is growing. The Global Metrology Market is expected to reach $1.25 billion by the end of 2027.
In the past, suppliers used metrology to produce quality parts and products. Now, manufacturers in industries like automotive and aerospace are also requesting parts with tighter tolerances and quicker turnarounds. This requires more advanced solutions.
To choose the best option, you need to determine the right equipment and software for your measurement requirements. Interested in exploring these options further? Contact Adaptive today.
This week Creaform introduced 2 new products to help drive innovation in your product lifecycle:
HandySCAN BLACK: When accuracy meets versatility and portability
The HandySCAN 3D™ line-up is the ultimate reference in portable metrology‑grade 3D scanners. Now in its 3rd generation, it has been optimized to meet the needs of design, manufacturing and metrology professionals looking for the most effective and reliable way to acquire accurate 3D measurements of physical objects anywhere.
This fast and versatile patented handheld 3D scanner is easy-to-use and generates highly accurate and repeatable results—even in difficult environments and with complex surfaces.
Major benefits include:
4X resolution: Captures fine details and large volumes thanks to the unique and versatile combination of improved high-performance optics and multiple blue laser technology.
3X faster measurement speed and instant mesh: Larger scanning area featuring 11 blue laser crosses that take up to 1,300,000 measurements/s.
More accurate and traceable measurements: Volumetric accuracy of 0.020 mm + 0.040 mm/m based on VDI/VDE 2634 part 3 as well as ISO 17025, ensuring reliability and full traceability to international standards.
The Fastest and Easiest 3D Scanning Solution to Accelerate Your Product Development
Release date: April 25
Go!SCAN SPARK features four inline cameras for faster 3D scanning and color acquisition. It also features an ergonomic design that allows for different types of hand positions.
Major benefits include:
Plug and play: No setup required and robust positioning using geometry, color or targets.
4X better resolution: Stunning scan quality with flawless tracking on color texture and geometry.
3X faster measurement speed and instant workable files: Scanning area featuring 99 stripes that take up to 1,500,000 measurements/s.
2X more accurate: Reliable measurements of up to 0.050 mm.
Intelligent design: The multi-position handle integrates efficient ergonomics through an effective design.
Learn how Dorman Products used the Creaform HandySCAN to save 6 hours per project without compromising accuracy.
Business Challenge: New Team Ramp Up & Immediate Project Impact
Michael Menta, Director of Engineering at Pennsylvania-based Dorman Products, Inc. was looking to expand 3D Scanning and Reverse Engineering throughput in support of new aftermarket product development initiatives between offices. According to Menta, that came down to equipping each with tools and software. But the cost and ramp up time for learning a more traditional scanning solution was problematic, especially for a team that hadn’t done it before. Menta would have to build a case for it.
The HandySCAN Solution
Because the team at Dorman headquarters had been using the tripodmounted Konica Minolta scanner for its work, Menta thought that it would probably be the solution for different offices as well. But he was hesitant to send a 4-year-old piece of equipment with a large learning curve to other teams. However, after seeing a demonstration of the HandySCAN by Adaptive at SOLIDWORKS World last year, he was willing to give it a try. Before he experienced it himself, Menta thought a handheld wasn’t an option due to the accuracy he required. “And 4 years ago, that was the case,” he said. After a demonstration, he was convinced. “It completely changed my entire approach and strategy.”
On top of it, the HandySCAN was cheaper. The HandySCAN is Creaform’s flagship metrology-grade handheld scanner. It delivers high quality 3D scans of products via a highly portable unit. “The speed in which it captures the data is just remarkable,” said Menta. Dorman is able to get the same accuracy it needs (to 1/1000th of a percent) essentially the same as what they were getting with a tripod mounted scanner. For their purposes the quality was superb but the accuracy and speed at which they could deliver the results was paramount during the testing. “We’re getting scans quicker and it doesn’t take as much time to post process them,” said Menta. When compared to the Range 7, the Konica Minolta, the quality of the mesh from the Creaform was “night and day” said Menta. Further, the relative short time that it takes to become adept at using the product was another boon. Because Menta was able to learn the device relatively quickly, even getting a good handle on it during the demonstration, he was confident the rest of the team would get up to speed just as fast. “Rather than continuing to use a 4-year old machine (the Konica Minolta), that requires extensive training for each new user and is not an intuitive tool by any means, this was clearly a better solution,” said Menta.
“Up until then, I didn’t think handheld had the accuracy, the resolution, the quality, that the tripod-mounted scanners have… But now I know that isn’t the case.” — Michael Menta, Director of Engineering, Dorman Products, Inc.
Solution
After implementation of the HandySCAN, Dorman Products was able to save five to six hours on average per project through a combination of reduced scanning time and reduced post-processing time.
This equated to three weeks’ worth of savings during the current project list. “It’s pretty substantial,” said Menta.
“We’re getting scans quicker and it doesn’t take as much time to post-process them.” — Michael Menta, Director of Engineering, Dorman Products, Inc
About Adaptive Corp
Adaptive Corporation is dedicated to connecting virtual design to the physical world by creating solutions that help their clients, innovate, validate and refine the design of new products being introduced in the market. With Adaptive’s technical expertise, your design engineering team can be assured you will build products right the first time, with the most efficient and profitable path possible. Covering the full span of Product Life Cycle Management solutions, Adaptive addresses Virtual Product Design, Product Data Intelligence, Enterprise Collaboration, Digital Manufacturing, Simulation and Metrology/Quality Control.
Dorman Products 3400 East Walnut Street Colmar, PA 18915 1-800-523-2492
Dorman Products, Inc. is a leading supplier of dealer exclusive automotive replacement parts, automotive hardware, brake products, and household hardware to the Automotive Aftermarket and Mass Merchandise markets based out of Colmar, Pa. with offices in both North America and China. It specializes in reverse-engineering failure-prone OEM parts.
Challenge
Finding an affordable, accurate scanning tool for its reverse engineering OEM projects.
The HandySCAN Solution
The Creaform HandySCAN sold by Adaptive Corp. is both cheaper and more accurate than other tri-pod mounted scanners.
The HandySCAN has a short ramp up time from learning to using.
Update all 100,000 FICO transactions in a fraction of the time
Results
A 5-6 hour reduction time per project through a combination of reduced scanning time and reduced post-processing time.
Adaptive to feature Creaform portable measurement solutions during COE 2014
Adaptive Corporation is proud to announce our new Sales and Support of Creaform. Creaform is a world-class leader in the area of portable 3D measurement solutions. Many companies have a need for portable measurement that is not being addressed by today’s CMM and other measurement solutions. Creaform’s solutions can be used in the lab as well as the manufacturing floor providing greater flexibility and value.
Adaptive will demonstrate the Creaform during the upcoming COE 2014 conference in Anaheim, CA. Please stop by our booth #604 for a live demonstration and to learn more.
The HandySCAN 3D™ line-up is the ultimate reference in portable metrology‑grade 3D scanners. Now in its 3rd generation, it has been optimized to meet the needs of design, manufacturing and metrology professionals looking for the most effective and reliable way to acquire accurate 3D measurements of physical objects anywhere.
Adaptive to feature Creaform portable measurement solutions during COE 2014