There was a time when the metrology tool of choice was the traditional granite-based CMM, and this is still the case for many organisations.

However, there are now many other types of technology available, including white-light scanning, red and blue lasers, portable arms, laser trackers and photogrammetry — all making claims to be the ‘new standard’ in metrology.

The rise of these new technologies has seen suppliers focus their attention on the hardware devices, with the emphasis on speed, accuracy and portability.

The one thing that makes all of these devices work and produce measurement results is the inspection software, but every manufacturer seems to have created their own software that works only with only their own products; in some cases, a manufacturer may be offering several different software packages, to suit the technology they are offering.

Ian Caville, managing director of Peterborough-based Measurement Solutions Ltd (www.measurement-solutions.co.uk), says that by accepting a hardware manufacturer’s own software, users will probably be limited to what that brand can offer in the future.

“The latest Metrolog X4 software from Metrologic Group is designed to provide metrology professionals with a cohesive single software platform that works with any type of measuring-device technology.

Metrologic has for many years been a leading developer of device-independent software, so that users only have to learn one software solution irrespective of the measuring system that is being used, the complexity of the measuring application, or the type of data that will be used.”

Metrologic was founded in the 1980s, providing ‘electronic counter boxes’ for basic three-axis ‘layout’ machines. This subsequently led to the development of the first Windows-based measuring software, and several major automotive companies soon recognised the advantage of having one standardised software on their CMMs.

Metrologic is now the largest independent metrology software company, with over 20,000 users world-wide and annual sales in excess of 40 million euros.

Mr Caville says: “All R&D is aimed at developing software solutions, unlike the hardware suppliers, who must develop measuring devices first and foremost, and then try to keep up in terms of software.

Metrologic has always been completely independent of hardware brands, thereby allowing users to choose the right tool for the job, knowing that whatever device they wish to use will work with Metrolog X4.

“The software offers direct interfaces to just about every type of 3-D measuring device, so users can easily switch between technologies — or introduce new technologies in the future — without having to learn completely new software.

Most of the automotive and aerospace industry’s major manufacturers now use Metrologic software, many on a world-wide basis. Moreover, many measuring-device manufacturers even offer Metrolog X4 in preference to their own software, as users do not want to be tied to one brand of measuring system or have to use multiple software platforms.”

Modes of operation

Metrolog X4 treats all measuring devices as XYZ data-point collectors, so irrespective of whether it is a traditional touch-probe CMM taking 10 points per minute or a 3-D scanner taking 500,000 points per second, the software works in exactly the same way.

The user can choose between three typical modes of operation: manual measurement for one-off inspection activities; semi-automated repeat measurement of a selection or group of features; or fully automated measurement cycles with user guidance.

The software is completely modular, with several standard packages available, depending on the data capture device to be used and the type and complexity of the measurement application to be undertaken. With several hundred direct device interface combinations available, users can create a solution that precisely meets their needs, irrespective of what measuring device they currently have or may buy in the future.

Even in its standard package formats, Metrolog X4 includes device-specific options. For example, if the software is to be used with a laser tracker, the common large-scale metrology tools are automatically configured.

In addition, a range of application-specific modules can be included to adapt the software configuration to specific needs. Modules include Advanced Reporting and Data Export, Advanced GD and T Analysis, Blade Measurement for aerospace applications, Twin or Multi-Device connections, High Level Programming, CMM simulation, and i-Remote control using hand-held devices (iPad, smartphone).

Mr Caville says: “Metrolog X4 is fully compatible with Windows 7 and Windows 10, in both 32- and 64-bit guises, so huge CAD files and data-point clouds can be easily loaded and manipulated within the software.

However, Metrologic doesn’t simply develop software in response to the hardware manufacturer’s product developments. For many years, the company has developed software that has predicted and often defined the future of measurement.

Many of the features you see in most measuring software today — such as colour maps, graphical results with result labels or stickers, and customisable report layouts — originated from early Metrologic software.

The company was also one of the first to successfully combine laser scanning heads onto CNC CMMs, when even the scanning-device manufacturers focused only on portable measuring arms.

“A more recent development has been Metrolog X4 i-Robot — a software solution that turns any make of industrial robot into a fully programmable CMM solution, with programming directly from within a traditional metrology software package, without the need for specialist PLC programming.

“When this was launched five years ago, many people couldn’t see the need for such a solution, but at the recent Control Show, almost every measuring-device manufacturer had a robot on display, with most of them using Metrolog X4 i-Robot software.”

In conclusion, Mr Caville says: “Having been personally involved in the metrology sector for almost 30 years, I have seen many companies, technologies and concepts burst onto the scene only to disappear just as quickly.

“Furthermore, I know of many measuring-technology users that have gone through the pain of having to change software several times in recent years, due to lack of software development or product support; that can’t be efficient or cost-effective for them.

“For anybody who is considering measuring software or is not satisfied with the development or support for their current software, Measurement Solutions can visit, quickly connect a lap-top PC to just about any device and give a live demonstration of the software using the customer’s own measuring equipment.

“They are particularly impressed when we link into a CNC CMM or robot-based system and quickly take full control of the measuring system with the one software system.”