Wenzel Epuips Their Line of Mobilescan3D Portable Scanning Machines with New Higher Resolution Blue-Scan Blue laser Scanning sensor Technology

Giles Gaskell, North American sales manager for 3D Imaging Products for Wenzel/Xspect Solutions says, “Industry continues to look for good portable 3D imaging technology for reverse engineering and inspection. Early in 2010 Wenzel Scantec introduced the MobileScan3D system which provides the quality and repeatability of a CMM-based laser scanner in a portable and highly flexible system. The MobileScan3D model range for 2011 includes a ,’Blue-Scan’ blue laser scanning sensor that has distinct advantages over red laser technology for smaller volume, high accuracy applications.“
The Mobilscan3D system was conceptually designed to accommodate differnt types of interchangeable laser sensors to adapt to different sizes and shapes of parts, from jewelry to full-sized automobiles. Blue laser technology has shown to be an improvement over red lasers on smaller voume, high accuracy applications, because it is more powerful, has a shorter wavelength and produces a constant finer laser line thickness through the measurement area. The blue laser line produces less speckle with improved focusing capabilities and a thinner line projection (50 micron laser thickness). These improvements mean higher data collection rates, higher resolution data and more accurate processed images.
Because MobileScan3D offers full CNC automatic scanning, the accuracy of the
acquired dataset is now significantly enhanced over the same data acquired by other portable laser systems and provides automatically structured and ordered data, minimizing subsequent data ‘clean-up’ and processing time. In addition, MobileScan3D can also be used for the verification of production parts against nominal geometry data and can either be used in complete CNC mode or in semi CNC mode where the motors can be disengaged and the laser manually guided to define the scan path before re-engagement for CNC scanning. This semi CNC mode allows for rapid set-up for inspection of one-off parts.
MobileScan3D comprises of a 2-axis CNC swivel head providing A and B rotational axes; the scanning sensor is mounted to the swivel head using a ‘quick-change’ adaptor, minimizing changeover times between the three available sensors. The MobileScan3D laser scanner system consists of a tripod with three interchangeable scanning heads; a short range head with accuracy of ± 0.01mm; medium size head with accuracy of ± 0.05mm; and a large size head with a measurement range up to 2m with accuracy of ± 0.15mm.
The Mobilescan3D system has full 3-axis CNC capability and uses a red laser stripe to scan up to 100,000 points per second. Scanning accuracy down to 10 microns can be achieved with the system. The density of scanned lines can be controlled by programming the velocity of the A and B axes of the swivel head. Integral thermal sensors, with environmental control, insure scanned data set accuracy. The sensor body is manufactured from carbon fibre, eliminating and thermal growth due to heat generated from the laser source. The sensor outer-casing is independently mounted, allowing isolation from the sensor optics and electronics, eliminating the potential for calibration errors caused by rough system handling during transit.
The system is controlled by a PC and a small portable controller. It has the ability to non-contact scan with full CNC control using a very simple operator user interface. The scanned ordered dataset is streamed real-time into the accompanying data evaluation software. A full 3D CAD model can be generated for output in STL, IGES, STEP or
ASCII file formats. MobileScan3D can be supplied with the Wenzel Pointmaster V5
software or any of the major reverse engineering and verification software packages.
An optional CNC rotary table is also available. This table has a 75 Kg payload and allows for automatically performing the full 360 degree scanning of parts. The rotary table is housed in a rugged carrying case with a total carry weight of less that 10 Kg. Leveling feet are designed into the case. Full 3 axis simultaneous scanning motion of the system is available for the most complex geometry parts. The 32 bit CNC controller is also housed with a carrying case with total carry weight of less than 10 Kg. The scanning heads pack into three camera cases and can be set up anywhere in minutes.”
In operation, the MobileSCan3D system can be set up ready-to-scan in less than 10 minutes. The complete MobileScan3D system is transported in 2 cases; 3 if the rotary table is included. All of the carrying cases snap together for easy transportation as a single unit which can be attached to a mobile trolley for added convenience. Interconnecting cables are all color coded and sensor set-up and initiation is very fast. MobileScan3D has the fastest set-up time of all portable technologies providing a true ‘Scan-to-Go’ solution. MobileScan3D can be used with a tripod for maximum portability or can be mounted to a support table.
MobileScan3D provides automatic and ordered dataset generation. The scanning volume is simply programmed by inputting 3 basic parameters; the A axis Start Point and End Point; The B axis Rotation Angle and Index Increment. With just a few mouse clicks the complete automatic scanning process is initiated. MobileScan3D removes the operator dependency demanded by all prior art systems, whether portable arm or photogrammetry based, and provides higher accuracy datasets in a fraction of the time.
MobileScan3d user benefits over other portable scanning systems can be summarized as:
• Blue Scan blue laser sensor
• Absolute measuring system (not targets required)
• Fast
• Accurate
• Fully-automatic Data Acquisition
• Truly portable and mobile
• Rapid return on investment
• Eliminated human influence on acquired data

Wenzel Scantec is a division of Wenzel Group GmbH & Co. KG, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of metrology solutions. WENZEL Group GmbH & Co. KG is one of the leading manufacturers of coordinate measuring machines. Wenzel/Xspect Solutions, Inc. headquartered in Wixom, Michigan, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wenzel Group GmbH of Germany. Wenzel/Xspect Solutions is the Number 3 supplier of both traditional CMMs and GMM gear measuring machines to the North American metrology market. Wenzel also provides a variety of unique 3D imaging technologies including the ScanTec™ non-contact white light optical measuring system, the exaCT™ integrated computed tomography workstation, MobileScan3D® mobile CNC Measurement System and the Shapetracer™ 3D laser line scanner. Wenzel/Xspect Solutions also provides OpenDMIS™, the metrology industry’s most complete open architecture metrology software. The main customers are in the automotive and aerospace industries, mechanical engineering, electrical motor manufacturing and sub-contractors to these sectors. With subsidiaries in Switzerland, France, United Kingdom, Netherlands, China, USA, Singapore and India WENZEL is employing 600 people worldwide.

Wenzel Scantec is a division of Wenzel Group GmbH & Co. KG, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of metrology solutions. WENZEL Group GmbH & Co. KG is one of the leading manufacturers of coordinate measuring machines. Wenzel/Xspect Solutions, Inc. headquartered in Wixom, Michigan, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wenzel Group GmbH of Germany. Wenzel/Xspect Solutions is the Number 3 supplier of both traditional CMMs and GMM gear measuring machines to the North American metrology market. Wenzel also provides a variety of unique 3D imaging technologies including the ScanTec™ non-contact white light optical measuring system, the exaCT™ integrated computed tomography workstation, MobileScan3D® mobile CNC Measurement System and the Shapetracer™ 3D laser line scanner. Wenzel/Xspect Solutions also provides OpenDMIS™, the metrology industry’s most complete open architecture metrology software. The main customers are in the automotive and aerospace industries, mechanical engineering, electrical motor manufacturing and sub-contractors to these sectors. With subsidiaries in Switzerland, France, United Kingdom, Netherlands, China, USA, Singapore and India WENZEL is employing 600 people worldwide.

Wenzel/Xspect Solutions, Inc.
46962 Liberty Drive
Wixom, MI 48393
Telephone 248-295-4300, Giles Gaskell, ggaskell@wenzelamerica.com

Editorial contact; Allan Hall, Hall Industrial Publicity, Inc., 1261 Romney Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304; alhall@industrialpublicity.com, 248-705-8272

This release was published on openPR.