Hexagon has launched a new Autonomous Metrology Suite to simplify the user experience and accelerate key measurement processes, that it says will cut CMM programming time from days to hours.
Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division has developed the software for its cloud-based Nexus platform, removing all coding from coordinate measuring machine (CMM) workflows, helping speed up critical R&D and manufacturing processes as experienced metrologists become harder to find.
The suite enables Hexagon’s existing Global S, Tigo and Maestro CMMs to join the same digital workflow, meaning existing investments continue to pay dividends, with support planned for third party hardware.
According to Hexagon, manufacturers across automotive, aerospace and general engineering all report the same pressures that shorter product lifecycles and frequent design revisions have increased the need for high-accuracy measurement, but that there are fewer skilled CMM programmers available.
Within the Autonomous Metrology Suite a digital twin of every connected CMM synchronises with its physical counterpart, so the correct inspection programme reaches the right machine, helping to eliminate possible human error. All quality, utilisation and environmental information flows straight to a cloud dashboard, creating a continuous digital thread.
All the applications in the suite share a consistent UI to guide both new and expert users through the process, helping democratise the creation of CMM programmes and reduce the level of skill required.
Depending on complexity, Hexagon says that programming could be reduced from days to hours, following which the programme deployment to one or more CMMs, execution and reporting can be fully automated from a single interface.
The suite comprises of three apps on the Nexus platform:
Metrology Mentor automatically generates ISO- and ASME-compliant inspection programmes directly from CAD. By standardising measurement techniques through the Metrology Mentor application, the platform ensures that regardless of operator skill level, measurement programmes consistently adhere to geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) standards.
Metrology Reporting consolidates data from Hexagon and third-party dimensional metrology and tomography systems, providing live batch quality analytics, statistical insight and full part histories.
Metrology Asset Manager watches over calibration status, machine operation and errors and environmental factors such as temperature, humidity and vibration, ensuring machines stay healthy and measurements remain trustworthy. It also delivers utilisation data to help users understand and improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE)
Users can drag and drop files, follow on-screen prompts and see updates propagate instantly across the suite. The intuitive design of the shared user interface means that if users learn how to use one app, they can more easily learn how to use the whole suite.
Gary Peacock, GM Metrology Software at Hexagon, said: “Autonomous Metrology Suite addresses skills shortages by revolutionising measurement programming with a no-code environment and user experiences that dramatically reduce operator training time.
“With more pressure on experienced metrologists, Autonomous Metrology Suite amplifies their efforts by automating processes from programming to multiple CMM execution and reporting, removing quality control bottlenecks with consistent measurements.”
The Autonomous Metrology Suite is fully available later this year, with Hexagon Pilot customers able to access the apps now.