Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, Telford (www.hexagonmi.com), has released a camera-based portable co-ordinate measuring machine (CMM) for shopfloor use.

The Aicon Move-Inspect XR8, which the company says is the only measurement system able to simultaneously capture multiple points, detects geometric conditions and changes in three dimensions. According to Hexagon, this makes it significantly faster for many applications.

The CMM consists of a camera beam with two 8-megapixel calibrated cameras that are equipped with invisible flashes that eliminate dependence on other lighting.

Measurement with freedom of movement is achieved by using the Aicon MI.Probe hand-held probing device, while the MoveInspect software determines the 3-D co-ordinates of object points, or the six degrees of freedom data of solid bodies.

Furthermore, the problems typically presented by vibration, noise and position changes are said to be solved by the CMM’s dynamic referencing function, which allows it to automatically detect — and compensate for — disturbances.

The MoveInspect XR8 system also “simplifies and shortens assembly and positioning processes, and can replace costly assembly gauges”, says Hexagon.