Product Category
Laser Trackers & Portable Metrology
Laser trackers, portable articulated measuring arms, and 3D laser scanners from Faro, Hexagon (Leica), and API. New, Refurbished, Absolute Certified, or Surplus, for large-volume, in-situ, and reverse-engineering measurement in aerospace, shipbuilding, and heavy fabrication.
What is Portable Metrology?
Portable metrology instruments bring dimensional measurement to the part rather than bringing the part to a fixed machine — essential when a workpiece is too large, too heavy, or too permanently fixtured (an aircraft wing jig, a ship hull section, a machine tool bed) to move onto a CMM table. Laser trackers measure a retroreflective target in 3D space over large volumes with sub-millimeter accuracy at distances of tens of meters, while portable articulated arms and handheld scanners give similar flexibility at shorter range, closer to the accuracy and workflow of a small CMM.
Portable Metrology Types We Supply
Laser Trackers
- Interferometer + absolute distance meter (ADM) trackers: A rotating head steers a laser beam to follow a spherically mounted retroreflector (SMR) target, computing 3D position from two precision rotary encoders and the measured distance. Modern "absolute" trackers (e.g. Leica Absolute Tracker) re-acquire the beam instantly after an interruption, without needing to re-home.
- 6DoF laser trackers: Add orientation (pitch/roll/yaw) sensing via a smart target or probe, enabling tool alignment and hidden-point measurement without direct line-of-sight to the exact feature.
Portable Articulated Measuring Arms
- A jointed mechanical arm with precision rotary encoders at each joint, ending in a touch probe (or laser scanning head). Lighter, more affordable, and easier to move between locations than a laser tracker, though limited to the arm's reach — typically 1.2 to 4.5 metres (Faro Arm, Hexagon Absolute Arm).
3D Laser & Structured-Light Scanners
- Handheld or arm-mounted scanning heads that capture dense point clouds of a surface for reverse engineering, freeform comparison to CAD, or rapid full-surface inspection, rather than discrete point measurement (Faro Focus, scanning attachments for portable arms).
Accuracy & Specification Considerations
Laser tracker volumetric accuracy is typically specified per ASME B89.4.19 or VDI/VDE 2617-10 as a function of distance from the instrument (e.g. ±15 µm + 6 µm/m), so accuracy degrades gracefully — but predictably — with distance from the tracker head. Portable arm accuracy is specified per ASME B89.4.22 as a single-point articulation test result, generally tighter over its shorter working volume than a comparably priced laser tracker. Thermal compensation (tracking material and air temperature) and stable mounting (tripod rigidity, ground vibration) matter significantly for both instrument types when working at the specified accuracy limits.
Portable Metrology Brands We Supply
| Brand | Parent / Origin | Key Products | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faro | FARO Technologies, USA | FaroArm, Focus laser scanners, Vantage tracker | Reverse engineering, general large-part inspection |
| Hexagon MI (Leica) | Hexagon AB, Sweden | Leica Absolute Tracker, Absolute Arm | Aerospace assembly, high-accuracy jig checking |
| API (Automated Precision Inc.) | API, USA | Radian laser tracker | Machine tool calibration, large-volume inspection |
Condition Tiers for Laser Trackers & Portable Arms
Factory New
Latest tracker head, target, and software generation direct from the manufacturer, with full OEM warranty and installation support.
Refurbished
Optics cleaned and inspected, rotary encoders and drive mechanisms serviced, battery and cabling replaced, function-tested against factory specification.
Absolute Certified
Full volumetric requalification per ASME B89.4.19 (trackers) or B89.4.22 (arms) using traceable length artefacts, with a calibration certificate issued at handover.
Surplus / As-Is
Decommissioned units sold as-is, mechanically functional but not requalified — suited to non-critical layout work or as a source of spare targets and accessories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you calibrate laser trackers on-site, or does the unit need to be shipped?
Both options are available. Field verification checks (comparing the tracker against a certified length bar or reference points) can typically be performed on-site to confirm day-to-day performance. Full volumetric requalification to issue an Absolute Certified calibration certificate is generally performed at a controlled facility with the appropriate reference artefacts and environmental conditions — we can arrange collection and return shipping as part of the service.
Should I choose a laser tracker or a portable arm for my application?
Laser trackers suit large, fixed, or hard-to-access assemblies where you need to measure widely spaced points without moving the instrument — aircraft jigs, ship sections, large weldments. Portable arms suit smaller parts or work cells within their reach envelope (typically up to 4.5 m), offering a lower cost of entry and a workflow closer to a small CMM, including easy switching between touch probing and laser scanning. Many of our customers keep both: an arm for bench-level work and a tracker for large-scale or in-situ jobs.
Can a refurbished portable arm still achieve its rated single-point articulation accuracy?
A well-maintained arm with low-wear encoders can often be restored close to original specification through refurbishment, but because accuracy depends on cumulative joint calibration across the whole kinematic chain, we recommend our Absolute Certified tier whenever the accuracy figure needs to be formally guaranteed — it includes a full B89.4.22 single-point articulation test and certificate.