Leica AT500 Absolute Laser Tracker
| Key | Brand: Leica |
|---|---|
| Model | AT500 |
| Max Measurement Range | 320 m |
| Angular Resolution | 0.07 arcsec |
| Positional Accuracy | ±0.1 mm |
| Horizontal Rotation | 360° |
| Vertical Pitch | ±145° |
| Tilt Capability | ±145° |
| IP Rating | IP54 |
| Operating Temperature | −15 °C to +50 °C |
| Laser Class | IEC 60825-1:2014 Class 2 |
| Compliance | ISO/IEC 17025, ISO 10360-10 |
Overview
The Leica AT500 Absolute Laser Tracker is an integrated, battery-powered metrology system engineered for high-accuracy, portable large-volume coordinate measurement in industrial environments. Utilizing absolute distance measurement (ADM) and interferometric (IFM) hybrid technology, the AT500 delivers traceable 3D spatial coordinates without requiring homing or reflector initialization—enabling immediate measurement upon power-up. Its core architecture eliminates external controllers, cabling, and alignment procedures, making it uniquely suited for on-site applications ranging from aerospace assembly verification and wind turbine blade inspection to automotive body-in-white validation and shipyard structural alignment. The system operates within a full-sphere volumetric envelope defined by its 360° azimuth and ±145° elevation range, with a maximum unobstructed line-of-sight range of 320 meters. All optical and motion axes are thermally stabilized and dynamically compensated using real-time environmental sensors (temperature, pressure, humidity), ensuring metrological integrity across fluctuating workshop or outdoor conditions.
Key Features
- Integrated All-in-One Design: Combines laser tracker head, embedded controller, dual hot-swappable IATA-compliant batteries, HD panoramic camera, environmental monitoring unit, and ergonomic carrying handle into a single transportable unit—no external PC, cables, or setup tools required.
- PowerLock Auto-Reacquisition: Patented wide-field optical reacquisition technology automatically restores lock on the retroreflector within seconds after beam interruption, eliminating manual reacquisition and preserving measurement continuity.
- Battery-Powered Mobility: Two independently hot-swappable lithium-ion batteries support up to 6 hours of continuous operation; battery status and health are monitored in real time via the onboard interface and mobile app.
- Wireless B-Probeplus Probe: A fully wireless, 6-degree-of-freedom (6DoF) articulating probe compliant with ISO 10360-10. Features 16° angular reception window at 12 m range, tactile button design rated for >1 million actuations, and real-time feedback via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).
- Robust Environmental Performance: Rated IP54 per IEC 60529, enabling reliable operation in dusty, humid, or temperature-variable settings—from −15 °C to +50 °C ambient, with relative humidity up to 95% non-condensing.
- Laser Safety & Traceability: Equipped with a Class 2 laser source compliant with IEC 60825-1:2014 Edition 2; all measurement data are traceable to national standards under ISO/IEC 17025-accredited calibration protocols.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The AT500 is compatible with standard spherically mounted retroreflectors (SMRs), including 0.5″, 1.5″, and 3.0″ variants, as well as active targets and the B-Probeplus probe. It supports both contact and non-contact measurement workflows without recalibration. The system conforms to international metrological standards essential for regulated manufacturing: ISO 10360-10 for probing performance verification, ISO 10360-8 for laser tracker volumetric accuracy assessment, and ISO 17025 for laboratory competence. While not inherently FDA 21 CFR Part 11–compliant out-of-the-box, audit-ready data export (including full metadata, timestamps, environmental logs, and operator ID) enables integration into validated quality management systems supporting GLP and GMP environments.
Software & Data Management
The AT500 operates natively with Leica’s proprietary Leica Metrology Suite, offering intuitive point-cloud capture, geometric feature fitting (planes, cylinders, spheres, cones), GD&T evaluation (position, profile, runout), and real-time deviation mapping against CAD models. Measurement data—including raw ADM/IFM values, environmental sensor readings, probe orientation quaternions, and PowerLock event logs—are stored in vendor-neutral .leica and .csv formats. The optional AT500 Connect mobile application (iOS/Android) provides secure over-the-air firmware updates, network configuration, battery diagnostics, and remote status monitoring—without requiring physical access to the tracker’s interface. All software modules support configurable user roles, electronic signatures, and exportable audit trails meeting ISO 9001 documentation requirements.
Applications
- Aerospace: Wing-to-fuselage alignment, tooling verification for composite layup molds, and final assembly dimensional sign-off.
- Automotive: Body-in-white dimensional analysis, robotic cell calibration, and stamping die validation.
- Energy: Wind turbine blade geometry verification, offshore platform structural surveying, and nuclear component dimensional compliance checks.
- Heavy Machinery: Large gear train alignment, hydroelectric turbine runner inspection, and mining equipment frame metrology.
- Research & Development: Validation of multi-axis motion platforms, coordinate metrology for additive manufacturing build envelopes, and dynamic tracking of moving targets using B-Probeplus telemetry.
FAQ
Does the AT500 require warm-up time before achieving specified accuracy?
No. The system performs real-time thermal compensation using internal environmental sensors and does not require pre-operational stabilization.
Can the AT500 be used outdoors under direct sunlight?
Yes—its IP54 rating and extended operating temperature range (−15 °C to +50 °C) support outdoor deployment; however, optimal performance is achieved when the SMR path remains free of atmospheric turbulence or particulate interference.
Is factory recalibration required annually?
Per ISO/IEC 17025 guidelines, annual accredited calibration is recommended; field verification using certified artifacts (e.g., step gauges, ball bars) can be performed between calibrations to confirm ongoing compliance.
What data security protocols are supported for network-connected operation?
The AT500 Connect app uses TLS 1.2 encryption for firmware transfers and supports WPA2-Enterprise authentication for enterprise Wi-Fi integration.
How is measurement uncertainty reported for ISO 17025 traceability?
Uncertainty budgets—covering laser wavelength stability, angular encoder resolution (0.07 arcsec), environmental compensation residuals, and SMR centering error—are documented in the calibration certificate issued by Leica-accredited laboratories.
