Hexagon Absolute Arm Portable Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM)

Overview

The Hexagon Absolute Arm Portable Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) is an industrial-grade articulated arm system engineered for metrology-grade dimensional verification in dynamic, non-laboratory environments. Based on a kinematically stable 6-axis or 7-axis serial linkage architecture, it employs absolute optical encoders at each joint—eliminating the need for homing or positional recalibration after power cycles or mechanical disturbance. This architecture enables true “measure-anywhere” capability: from climate-controlled quality labs to humid, dusty production floors, CNC machine beds, or design studios. Unlike traditional laser trackers or fixed CMMs, the Absolute Arm delivers traceable, NIST-traceable length measurements (per ISO 10360-1 and ISO 10360-2) without requiring environmental stabilization or permanent installation. Its modular wrist design supports seamless transitions between contact probing and non-contact 3D scanning—without interrupting measurement workflows or compromising metrological integrity.

Key Features

• IP54-rated ingress protection—certified for operation in high-humidity, particulate-laden, or temperature-fluctuating industrial settings.
• True absolute positioning: no warm-up time, no reference artifact required, no re-homing needed after movement or power interruption.
• Modular wrist interface enabling tool-free, sub-10-second swapping between tactile probes, blue-light scanning heads (AS1-XL, ASI), and laser line scanners (RS5, HP-L-8.9).
• No recalibration required after probe or scanner interchange—enabled by TESA Dynamic Interface technology and factory pre-calibrated probe libraries.
• Integrated battery option and dual connectivity: full-speed data acquisition via single USB-C cable or secure Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) with real-time latency < 5 ms.
• Three ergonomic handle sizes and detachable grip design for access into deep cavities, narrow bores, and complex undercuts.
• Horizontal-line laser projection and real-time scan frame guidance—reducing operator dependency and improving repeatability across untrained users.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Absolute Arm accommodates diverse part geometries—from small machined components (3 m). It supports over 100 certified probe stems and stylus configurations—including straight, angled (45°/90°), star, disc, and tube-specific tips—enabling first-article inspection, GD&T validation (per ASME Y14.5 and ISO 1101), and reverse engineering workflows. All scanning configurations are certified to ISO 10360-8 Annex D for volumetric scanning performance, including spatial resolution, depth-of-field consistency, and edge capture fidelity. The system complies with ISO/IEC 17025 requirements for accredited calibration laboratories and supports audit-ready documentation per FDA 21 CFR Part 11 (electronic records/signatures) and GLP/GMP traceability protocols when paired with compatible metrology software.

Software & Data Management

The Absolute Arm operates natively with Hexagon’s PC-DMIS Metrology Software (v2023+), supporting full GD&T reporting, statistical process control (SPC) export, and automated report generation in PDF, Excel, or XML formats. It also integrates seamlessly with third-party platforms including PolyWorks|Inspector, Geomagic Control X, and OpenDXM Enterprise for enterprise-level metrology data aggregation. All measurement sessions include embedded metadata: timestamp, operator ID, probe ID, environmental sensor logs (optional), and full audit trail history. Data encryption (AES-256) and role-based access control ensure compliance with ISO 27001 information security standards. Firmware updates are delivered via Hexagon’s secure OTA (Over-The-Air) channel with SHA-256 signature verification.

Applications

• Aerospace: Turbine blade profile verification, wing spar alignment, composite layup inspection.
• Automotive: Body-in-white gap/flush analysis, die-cast component dimensional release, EV battery tray flatness assessment.
• Energy: Wind turbine blade root geometry validation, pipeline flange concentricity checks, turbine housing distortion mapping.
• Medical device manufacturing: Implant surface topology verification, surgical instrument tolerance confirmation, custom orthosis fit testing.
• Tool & die: Mold cavity inspection, EDM electrode verification, progressive die wear monitoring.

FAQ

Does the Absolute Arm require periodic recalibration after probe changes?
No. All tactile and scanning probes are factory pre-calibrated and stored in a validated probe library. Swapping occurs via the TESA Dynamic Interface, preserving measurement traceability without user intervention.
Can the Absolute Arm be used alongside laser trackers for large-part metrology?
Yes. The AS1-XL and ASI-XL blue-light scanners are fully compatible with Hexagon’s Leica AT960 and Absolute Tracker systems when mounted on the AP21 adapter—enabling hybrid large-volume metrology workflows.
What environmental conditions are supported under IP54 certification?
IP54 certifies protection against limited dust ingress and water splashing from any direction. Operational temperature range is 5–40 °C; relative humidity up to 95% non-condensing.
Is wireless scanning data transmission compliant with industrial cybersecurity standards?
Yes. Wi-Fi operation uses WPA3-Enterprise authentication, TLS 1.3 encrypted data tunnels, and integrates with corporate Active Directory for centralized identity management.
How does the SHINE (Systematic High-Intelligence Noise Elimination) algorithm improve scan quality?
SHINE applies adaptive spatial filtering and multi-frame fusion in real time—suppressing speckle noise and motion artifacts without sacrificing point density or edge sharpness—enabling reliable scans on matte, glossy, or semi-transparent surfaces without spray coating.