Chotest GTS3800 Laser Tracker

Overview

The Chotest GTS3800 Laser Tracker is a high-precision, portable metrology instrument engineered for absolute spatial coordinate measurement in large-volume industrial environments. Based on the principle of interferometric and absolute distance measurement (ADM) hybrid tracking, it combines a stabilized He–Ne laser source, high-speed angular encoders, and real-time kinematic compensation to deliver traceable 3D position data with micrometer-level fidelity across volumes up to 160 meters in diameter. Designed for demanding applications in aerospace assembly, heavy machinery calibration, robotic cell validation, and large-scale scientific infrastructure alignment, the GTS3800 operates under ISO 10360-12 and VDI/VDE 2617 Part 11 compliance frameworks. Its core architecture supports dynamic target tracking at velocities exceeding 4 m/s while maintaining sub-15 µm volumetric accuracy — defined as 15 µm + 6 µm/m — enabling reliable GD&T evaluation, machine tool verification (per ISO 230-1/2), and robot pose characterization (per ISO 9283).

Key Features

• Micrometer-grade metrological performance: Absolute distance measurement accuracy of ≤10 µm over full 160 m range; interferometric mode resolution of 0.5 µm/m; volumetric accuracy certified to 15 µm + 6 µm/m.
• High-speed data acquisition: Real-time point capture at up to 1,000 Hz for dynamic targets; compatible with EyeScan HD scanning system delivering up to 1,360,000 points/sec without surface preparation or retroreflector placement.
• Full-sphere kinematic coverage: Horizontal rotation of ±360° and vertical pitch from −145° to +145°, ensuring unobstructed line-of-sight access to complex geometries including undercuts, internal cavities, and overhead structures.
• Environmental resilience: IP54-rated enclosure with integrated meteorological station (temperature resolution: ±0.1 °C; pressure: ±0.1 kPa; humidity: ±6% RH) for real-time atmospheric correction per ISO 10360-10 and NIST SP 958 guidelines.
• Modular six-degree-of-freedom (6DOF) expansion: Supports iProbe and iTracker 6D wireless sensors for contactless pose measurement of hidden features, with angular repeatability of 0.005° and attitude accuracy of 0.03°.
• Single-operator workflow efficiency: Integrated hardware-software architecture eliminates need for auxiliary instruments (e.g., laser interferometers, theodolites), reducing capital expenditure by >40% and enabling full-field measurement campaigns with one trained technician.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The GTS3800 accommodates diverse target types including spherically mounted retroreflectors (SMRs), active tracking probes, and passive scanning surfaces — eliminating dependency on surface finish or reflectivity. Its optical design is optimized for operation on black, glossy, or thermally unstable surfaces via dual-wavelength (633 nm He–Ne + blue-line structured light) sensing. All firmware and software modules are validated per IEC 62304 for medical device metrology use cases and support audit-ready electronic records compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11, EU Annex 11, and GLP/GMP documentation requirements. SpatialMaster software holds PTB (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt) certification for geometric tolerance analysis, while RobotMaster complies with ISO 9283 for industrial robot performance testing.

Software & Data Management

Bundled with SpatialMaster — a metrology-grade platform certified by PTB for GD&T reporting, multi-station registration, and uncertainty budgeting — the GTS3800 enables full traceability from raw encoder data to ASME Y14.5-compliant inspection reports. The software supports native import/export of STEP AP242, IGES, and ASCII point clouds, and integrates seamlessly with CATIA, Siemens NX, and PolyWorks via API-driven automation. RobotMaster add-on provides ISO 9283-compliant path deviation analysis, repeatability histograms, and cycle-time benchmarking for collaborative and articulated robots. All measurement sessions include timestamped metadata, environmental logs, and cryptographic hash signatures to satisfy ISO/IEC 17025 Clause 7.7 requirements for data integrity and long-term archival.

Applications

• Petrochemical heat exchanger alignment: Precise mapping of tube sheet hole positions and flatness deviations to ensure weld joint integrity and thermal stress distribution within ASME BPVC Section VIII tolerances.
• Service robot navigation validation: High-frequency trajectory capture during slope climbing, obstacle avoidance, and docking maneuvers — enabling root-cause analysis of localization drift per IEEE 1872-2015 standards.
• Continuous casting machine commissioning: Real-time comparison of segment base coordinates against CAD nominal models, with automated offset correction recommendations aligned to DIN 8580 machining process specifications.
• Aerospace ground support equipment calibration: Verification of wing spar jig positioning, fuselage section mating interfaces, and composite layup mold alignment per NAS 410 and EN 9100 requirements.
• Railway bogie and wheelset geometry verification: Full 3D characterization of axle parallelism, brake disc runout, and suspension linkage angles under operational load conditions.

FAQ

What standards does the GTS3800 comply with for industrial metrology?
The system meets ISO 10360-12 (laser tracker performance verification), VDI/VDE 2617 Part 11 (volumetric accuracy), and supports GD&T evaluation per ASME Y14.5 and ISO 1101.
Can the GTS3800 perform measurements outdoors?
Yes — its IP54 rating and integrated meteorological station enable stable operation in ambient temperature ranges from 5 °C to 40 °C, with humidity up to 85% non-condensing, provided direct solar exposure on the tracker head is minimized.
Is the EyeScan scanning module compatible with the GTS3800 out of the box?
Yes — EyeScan is a factory-integrated option with native driver support in SpatialMaster; no third-party middleware or calibration transfer is required.
Does the system support automated report generation for quality audits?
Yes — SpatialMaster includes configurable templates for PDF/Excel reports with embedded uncertainty budgets, operator IDs, environmental logs, and digital signatures meeting ISO/IEC 17025 and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements.
What is the typical recalibration interval for the GTS3800?
Chotest recommends annual factory recalibration per ISO/IEC 17025-accredited procedures; interim verification using certified SMR artifacts and ball bars is supported via built-in self-check routines.