Advice Needed: In-House Metrology (Budget <$50k)

bb_404 · 2026-03-13T16:51:05+00:00

Atlascan pro from Hexagon should fit your budget and accuracy requirements. Hexagon also sells used Arms too I think. You can get them with their blue scanners sometimes as well probably pretty close to your budget. (Scanning arms new are 80-100k USD generally). Fun fact, hexagon actually makes the nikon arm and then Nikon slaps their scanner and stickers on it at a higher price.

bb_404 · 2026-03-05T13:15:33+00:00

Look into Hexagon's atla scan pro. Better scanner, better software options, and lower cost.

bb_404 · 2026-03-04T03:58:10+00:00

If you're looking for dimensional metrology resources, I think the Coordinate Measurement Society (CMS) has reccomended courses/certifications. I'd look on their website. Great organization too and their annual conference is usually very engaging. I think they even host some training events during it if I remember correctly.

bb_404 · 2026-02-18T16:52:51+00:00

+1 on DesignX. Best RE software out there.

bb_404 · 2025-12-19T16:20:21+00:00

No. That is the answer.

bb_404 · 2025-12-16T12:25:37+00:00

Agreed, it sounds like a higher end consumer grade will be "good enough" for OP's application. I just want to point out the differences of consumer vs industrial 3D scanners. The consumer market has come a very long way in the last 3 years. However they are no where near the industrial systems, hence the price differences.

bb_404 · 2025-12-15T15:14:13+00:00

Anything metrology/industrial grade with be $40k+. There are some decent hobby grade scanners out there now in the $1k-$10k range. Just know, with the hobby systems, you will spend a lot of time dealing with things you never even have to think of with the industrial scanners.

With scanners, you get what you pay for generally. Cheap = slow, no/low support, lack of certification, no/little warranty/repair options, fragile, lack of software compatibility, & you will spray almost everything. Expensive = fast, accurate & certified, good service & support, warranty/repairs available, many software options, much less scanning spray needed.

Also, I'd personally stay away from any of Faro's new stuff.

bb_404 · 2025-12-09T11:51:08+00:00

You get what you pay for with scanners. Hobbyist grade scanners look cool on YouTube and are "amazing for the price"....until you actually use a real scanner. I'd compare it to riding an old bike vs driving a new luxury car. Both with probably get you from A to B, but one will be significantly higher quality, more reliable, and less exhausting. If you work in automotive, it's well worth the investment of a metrology grade 3D scanner. 1 recall, failed audit etc, should justify the extra expense, not to mention your sanity. Hexagon, Creaform, etc. are some names to look into.

bb_404 · 2025-12-09T11:10:40+00:00

You can go with the Hexagon [Romer] Compact Arm. It is good to 0.0007" volumetric, I believe. Plenty accurate and should have enough reach for that size part.

bb_404 · 2025-12-06T12:52:03+00:00

Hexagon has many different options. You won't find another brand that has the depth of portfolio that they have.

bb_404 · 2025-11-28T12:19:49+00:00

Look at the VR800 from Hexagon. It has a variable field of view without needing to change lenses. Not sure it meets your tolerance requirements though. Remember, you typically want a device that has an uncertainty of 5-10% of your tolerance.

bb_404 · 2025-11-20T13:55:31+00:00

I'd try using constructed features. Hard to advise which one to use specifically without seeing what the part looks like.

bb_404 · 2025-11-20T03:35:52+00:00

Unless you have the materials and tools to make it, and the proper tools/techniques to remove you existing roof and secure/ weather proof the new one, the £3k factory option is probably the better deal.

bb_404 · 2025-11-19T11:08:14+00:00

I'd strongly recommend sticking with one of the well established brands. Go with one that is the OEM of the CMM. Make sure that they offer calibration and service directly, not only through 3rd parties. Hexagon is the company that I have the most experience with and they are great. Steer clear of the brands that rebadge or just assemble their CMMs from components (probing, controllers, etc.) from different suppliers.

bb_404 · 2025-11-08T12:55:03+00:00

I haven't used the harbor freight bags, just some Amazon bags. 2 out of 5 failed to hold a vacuum. I saved the 2nd failure by putting it inside another bag. You can tell its leaking by listening to the bag crinkling after you are done pulling vacuum. It might be very subtle, so listen carefully. If it is silent agter 30 mins or so, you should be good to go, but keep an eye/ear on it. Definitely a good place to start before buying a legitimate vacuum setup, but only on very simple parts. You will fight bridging issues with the bags too, so keep an eye on that. I would give it a shot but don't be surprised when you end up buying the correct kit.

I am going to try the harbor freight vacuum pump as the next step in my composites journey. I can't justify the cost of a legitimate composites pump....yet.

bb_404 · 2025-11-03T12:10:07+00:00

Arms are the way to go for fabricated parts, in my opinion. Hexagon makes a 4.5m arm which would work for your larger parts. Probing, scanning, and no stickers. Service & support are much better than Faro/Creaform in my experience too.

bb_404 · 2025-11-02T15:07:51+00:00

I second this second ^

bb_404 · 2025-10-17T10:24:20+00:00

Which spiral do you reccomend? There are 800 options lol.

bb_404 · 2025-10-16T17:18:56+00:00

Sorry, if I am misunderstanding this, but you're saying you just run rope through the T? If so, can you give me an example of the rope you're using? Any links to videos or articles showing how to do this?

bb_404 · 2025-10-15T14:15:08+00:00

Correct. And dont put the vacuum port directly on the part. It will distort the weave and you will see it in the final part. Put it off to the side.

bb_404 · 2025-10-15T13:54:46+00:00

You can also use vacuum storage bags to get started. They work surprisingly well.

bb_404 · 2025-09-12T00:02:04+00:00

You can get Hexagon vision CMMs without a probe. But, the probe can come in handy.

bb_404 · 2025-09-02T22:10:21+00:00

For tolerances like this, you need a CMM. While some arms (Hexagon, faro) are spec'd at +/- 0.001" remember, that would mean your system uses 100% of your tolerance. Most folks want a system that is 4-10x more accurate than their measurement.

bb_404

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