Noncontact Scanning Probe

Hexagon Metrology has released the HP-O noncontact scanning probe for high accuracy measurement and inspection applications. The noncontact probe is an alternative to conventional tactile analog measurement and scanning probes.

The device exerts no physical impact on a part, delivering force-free measurement of blisks, blades, gear profiles and flank lines, and other potentially deformable parts, without a loss of accuracy. The probe has 3-mm diameter, up to 20-mm measurement range, and can access points that are not accessible to tactile probes. Optical measurements also can be captured in single-point or scanning mode.

Suitable for ultrahigh-accuracy inspections, the device’s scanning technology can be used to inspect metallic and sensitive part surfaces with mirrorlike or polished finishes, eliminating the need to spray a part’s surface. With an acceptance angle of ±30 degrees, the probe can measure difficult-to-access features at a scanning speed of 1,000 points per second.

Not affected by ambient light, the probe is based on frequency-modulated, interferometric optical distance measurement. Its dense data acquisition does not suffer from degradation at higher speeds, the company reports.

It is suitable for scanning large parts and parts that are rotationally symmetric. It is multisensory-compatible in a single part program using a standard tool changer.

www.hexagonmetrology.us