FARO Portable CMM Articulating Arm Data Cable 10445

Overview

The FARO Portable CMM Articulating Arm Data Cable 10445 is a certified OEM replacement and high-integrity interface cable engineered specifically for seamless communication between FARO® portable coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) — including the Quantum, Platinum, and Edge series articulating arms — and their associated measurement controllers or host computing systems. Designed to meet FARO’s stringent signal integrity, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and mechanical durability specifications, this cable ensures stable, low-latency digital data transmission of encoder position feedback, probe trigger signals, and real-time kinematic calibration updates. Its robust construction supports continuous operation in industrial metrology environments where vibration, flexing, and thermal cycling are common. Unlike generic USB or serial cables, the 10445 integrates proprietary pinout mapping and impedance-controlled differential signaling paths required for sub-micron positional repeatability and full compliance with FARO’s firmware handshake protocols.

Key Features

• OEM-specified 18-pin hybrid connector assembly compatible with FARO arm base units and controller interfaces
• Shielded twisted-pair architecture with double-braided copper shielding (95% coverage) for EMI/RFI suppression in factory-floor settings
• Strain-relieved overmolded terminations rated for ≥50,000 flex cycles (per IEC 60529 IP54 operational envelope)
• Supports full-bandwidth transmission of high-resolution angular encoder data (up to 22-bit resolution per joint) and analog/digital probe I/O
• Compliant with FARO’s internal hardware revision requirements for firmware versions 7.5 and later
• RoHS 3 and REACH-compliant materials; halogen-free jacket compound (IEC 61249-2-21)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

This cable is validated for use exclusively with FARO portable CMM systems utilizing the standard FARO Arm Base Interface (FABI) protocol stack. It maintains full functional compatibility across all FARO articulating arm configurations equipped with tactile probes (e.g., FARO Infinity, ION, or TP20-compatible modules), optical scanners (FARO Laser Line Probe, Quantum ScanArm), and contact trigger devices. The cable satisfies mechanical and electrical interoperability requirements defined in FARO Technical Bulletin TB-ARM-2022-04. While not a standalone metrological device, its performance directly impacts measurement traceability: improper cabling may introduce timing jitter or signal attenuation that violates ISO 10360-2 (CMM verification) clause 5.3.2 on data acquisition stability. It is supplied without calibration certificate but conforms to FARO’s production QA documentation standards (FARO QMS-DOC-0087).

Software & Data Management

The 10445 cable operates transparently within FARO’s native software ecosystem, including FARO SCENE, CAM2 Measure 10, and BuildIT Metrology Suite. No driver installation is required on Windows-based host systems running Windows 10/11 LTSB editions. All data transmitted remains unaltered and retains native timestamping and frame synchronization metadata essential for post-processing alignment routines and GD&T evaluation workflows. When deployed in regulated environments (e.g., aerospace Tier-1 suppliers or medical device manufacturing), the cable supports audit-ready operation under FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when used in conjunction with FARO software configured for electronic signature and audit trail logging. Firmware updates delivered via FARO Connect are automatically recognized only when authentic OEM cabling — such as the 10445 — is detected during boot sequence handshake.

Applications

• On-site dimensional inspection of large-scale fabricated components (e.g., aircraft wing ribs, ship hull sections, wind turbine blades)
• Tooling verification and first-article inspection in automotive body-in-white (BIW) production lines
• Reverse engineering workflows integrating articulated arm scanning with CAD model deviation analysis
• Production line validation of weldment geometry and robotic fixture positioning accuracy
• Calibration laboratory support for portable CMM system verification per ASME B89.4.22 Annex D

FAQ

Is the 10445 cable compatible with non-FARO metrology software such as PolyWorks or GOM Inspect?
Yes — provided the host PC runs FARO’s official drivers and the software accesses the arm through FARO’s SDK or certified API layer. Direct low-level USB enumeration is not supported.
Does this cable include a warranty, and what does it cover?
It carries a 12-month limited warranty against material and workmanship defects. Coverage excludes damage from improper bending radius (<100 mm), chemical exposure, or unauthorized modification.
Can the 10445 be used to extend the distance between the arm and controller beyond the original OEM specification?
No — it is dimensionally identical to the factory-supplied cable (standard length: 3.0 m). Extension beyond this requires FARO-approved active repeater modules to preserve signal fidelity.
Is there a version of this cable rated for cleanroom or explosive atmospheres?
Not currently available. FARO does not certify any articulating arm interface cables for Class 1 Div 1 or ISO 14644-1 Class 5 environments.