Hexagon Achieves First in Its Sector

The new SmartScan VR800 structured light scanner, developed by Hexagon's Manufacturing Intelligence division, offers simpler and more flexible workflows thanks to software-adjustable variable resolution in 3D dimensional inspection. The SmartScan VR800 improves workflows with the capability to combine scans at different resolutions in a single project, along with efficient post-scan alignment processes, significantly increasing the productivity of quality inspection.

Hexagon's Manufacturing Intelligence division announced the launch of a high-productivity structured light scanner to the market. The SmartScan VR800, the first optical 3D scanner on the market with a motorized zoom lens that enables users to measure data resolution and measurement volume entirely through software settings, was built on a completely redesigned platform. The product significantly increases quality inspection productivity and improves workflows by combining scans at different resolutions in a single project, providing more efficient scanning.

While conventional structured light scanners have fixed optical configurations, the combination of dual stereo cameras and optical zoom projection features makes the SmartScan VR800 much more functional, enabling users to determine exactly how they will collect their data. Three new software functions; Smart Resolution, Smart Zoom and Smart Snap optimize inspection resolution and measurement volume without any mechanical modifications to the system. This means data-intensive high-resolution scans can focus on areas with the most critical features, while other areas can be covered more efficiently with larger or lower-resolution scans.

New system simplifies the scanning process from start to finish

The SmartScan VR800, which easily adjusts scanning detail and size through software without requiring manual changes from the user, combines comprehensive and detailed scans in a single model for faster results. At the same time, it processes scans faster by reducing excess data while preserving essential details needed. Built on a completely redesigned platform, the SmartScan VR800, the first optical 3D scanner, significantly increases quality inspection productivity while making post-scan alignment processes more efficient. Koray Alpaslan, General Manager Hexagon Turkey, stated: "With our position as a leading metrology provider, Hexagon brings innovations developed at the same time to our customers in Turkey and globally. With the SmartScan VR800, which offers simpler and more flexible workflows thanks to adjustable variable resolution, we are making industries more productive. The different variable resolutions required in quality inspection can create various challenges during implementation. With the SmartScan VR800, which provides a solution to these challenges, high and low-resolution scans can be performed from a single point. Through this innovation focused on increasing industrial productivity with its functionality in quality inspection, we will take the solution partnership we have established with our customers to the next level."

Delivers high-resolution data with structured light scanning

Structured light scanning, also known as white light scanning or optical 3D scanning, is a camera-based measurement technology capable of delivering highly detailed part data in seconds. Other structured light scanners on the market typically consist of stereo camera systems with two 5-16 MP camera units. The VR800 uses four 20 MP cameras in a dual-set configuration for a wider measurement volume range. This is specifically combined with an optically zoomed digital projection unit that supports measuring different volumes (three from each camera pair) and changing resolution in each volume. Additionally, the system's integrated control unit enables rapid pre-processing of scanning data from the device, ensuring that data sent to metrology software is cleaner and easier to use. A custom carbon fiber chassis guarantees thermal stability and allows for longer intervals between calibrations.

Particularly, the Smart Snap function of the VR800 provides significant workflow efficiency even for parts that need to be scanned at higher resolutions. This mode uses the larger-based camera pair to capture an LED flash-assisted alignment image while simultaneously performing a complete high-resolution 3D scan with the smaller-based camera pair. Since each scan section is paired with an alignment image, combining the scan data becomes both easier and more efficient. This eliminates the need to overlap data-intensive high-resolution scans that would require heavy processing power to obtain an aligned mesh. This scanning capacity can be used in many diverse measurement applications with significant advantages, commonly for parts produced through additive manufacturing, tooling and molds, and casting and forming processes.

For example; manufacturers performing turbine blade measurements benefit from high efficiency and improvements from a system that can scan leading and trailing edges at very high data resolution while providing lower-resolution alignment data for the rest of the blade form. Similarly, shaped parts combine small high-resolution details within a larger object that does not need to capture such detailed data to create an accurate model. The VR800 performs these measurements with a single structured light scanner without requiring mechanical adjustments, providing workflow flexibility, saving time, and reducing the processing power required by the inspection process.

Like other structured light scanners in Hexagon's product range, the VR800 can be paired with a rotary platform or rotate-tilt unit to enable semi-automatic measurement workflows. The VR800 is also compatible for integration into fully automated inspection systems based on robots or cobots.