April 2003, Farmington Hills, MI, USA - CimCore is introducing the world’s first portable Laser Scanning Inspection System allowing real-time inspection of parts against CAD models using a laser scanner to collect data. This paradigm shift in part inspection is being demonstrated for the first time at Quality Expo 2003.

The CimCore system includes the six or seven axis 3000i portable coordinate measuring machine, a laser scanner and a full-featured geometric and surface inspection software package that includes point cloud functionality. This combination provides real-time geometric and surface inspection to a CAD file with a laser scanner or hard probe, point cloud generation for reverse engineering and output to CAD applications in a wide variety of formats.

The use of the CimCore portable coordinate measuring machine brings all the benefits of articulating arm measurement to this NEW technology and allows the laser to access those difficult to reach locations on the topside, inside and underneath the work-piece.

The use of a laser for inspection allows rapid collection of large volumes of data. It also avoids any contact with the part that might cause marking of sensitive surfaces or deflection of thin and/or soft materials. The system allows real-time inspection (for example on a production line) so that any errors can be spotted more quickly and corrected at lower cost.

The NEW laser scanning inspection system is capable of collecting and analyzing in excess of 23,000 points per second. This allows far more detailed inspection of both geometric and surface features than would be practical with a physical probe. Fitting the laser to a portable and flexible inspection arm ensures that data can be collected from all areas of the component in a single operation.

The large volume of data collected can be analyzed in a number of ways. A filter can be applied to the points so that only those out of tolerance are displayed on the screen or included in the report. Alternatively, a color gradient, which indicates whether the points are in tolerance, above tolerance or below tolerance, can be used to produce what is effectively an instant color “weather map” of the accuracy of the component.