MetraSCAN BLACK2 puts C-Track scanning, stand-alone scanning and probing into one metrology-grade system
FARO CREAFORM has launched MetraSCAN BLACK2, a portable optical 3D scanner that combines C-Track scanning, stand-alone scanning and probing in one metrology-grade system. It projects 46 blue laser lines, captures up to 2.8 million measurements per second and acquires data about 56% faster than the previous generation.
FARO CREAFORM has introduced MetraSCAN BLACK2, a portable optical 3D scanner aimed at quality teams working on the shop floor rather than in a metrology room.
The scanner combines three measurement modes in a single system: C-Track scanning for high-productivity inspection of large parts, stand-alone scanning for quick deployment in confined areas, and probing when it is paired with the HandyPROBE.
FARO CREAFORM, a business of AMETEK, says the system is calibrated in ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories and acceptance-tested to ISO 10360 and VDI/VDE 2634 Part 3.
C-Track mode is the high-throughput option. The scanner is used with a C-Track optical tracker that follows the part through space, so a large component can be measured without a fixed fixture and without being carried to a table.
Stand-alone mode takes the tracker out of the equation. An operator carries the scanner to wherever the work is, sets it down and starts measuring, which matters in congested areas where a tracking volume cannot be installed.
Adding the HandyPROBE puts contact measurement into the same job, so features a laser struggles to reach can be checked without changing the setup. The scanner projects 46 blue laser lines and captures up to 2.8 million measurements per second, with data acquisition running about 56% faster than the previous generation.
The measurement volume has grown as well. The C-Track Flex volume reaches 46.7 cubic metres, three times what the earlier system covered, so larger parts can be inspected with fewer setups. FARO CREAFORM attributes part of the throughput gain to scanning and probing running in parallel rather than as one operation after the other.
Accuracy claims are backed by test regimes rather than by specification alone. The system is calibrated in ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories, and acceptance testing follows ISO 10360 and VDI/VDE 2634 Part 3.
The comparison is with MetraSCAN BLACK+ and BLACK+ Elite, the portable scanners FARO CREAFORM already sells. The company says BLACK2 adds true stand-alone scanning and parallel scanning and probing, along with faster acquisition and denser data.
Several changes on the BLACK2 are aimed at the time lost before measurement starts. An automatic shutter handles exposure changes, a single-cable connection replaces a bundle, and setup assistance tools guide the operator through positioning the system.
Olivier Plamondon, technical product manager at FARO CREAFORM, said the product was developed to give manufacturers a more adaptable inspection solution without giving up certified accuracy. He said combining C-Track scanning, stand-alone scanning and probing in one metrology-grade system helps quality teams work more efficiently across a wider range of parts and shop-floor conditions.
FARO CREAFORM is the result of combining FARO's 3D Measurement business with Creaform's metrology work, and it is headquartered in Lévis, Québec and Lake Mary, Florida.
FARO, whose roots go back to 1981, is known for portable measurement arms, laser trackers and reality capture, while Creaform, founded in 2002 in Lévis, developed handheld 3D scanning and automated inspection. The combined business is a unit of AMETEK, an industrial technology group with annual sales of more than $7.5 billion.
Frequently asked questions
What can MetraSCAN BLACK2 measure?
MetraSCAN BLACK2 is a portable optical 3D scanner from FARO CREAFORM that combines three measurement modes in one housing: C-Track scanning, stand-alone scanning and probing with the HandyPROBE. It is aimed at quality control and quality assurance teams working on the shop floor.
How much faster does MetraSCAN BLACK2 capture data?
FARO CREAFORM says the scanner captures up to 2.8 million measurements per second and acquires data roughly 56% faster than the previous generation. It projects 46 blue laser lines, and its C-Track Flex volume reaches 46.7 cubic metres, three times the volume of the earlier model.
How does stand-alone scanning differ from C-Track mode?
In C-Track mode the scanner is used with an optical tracker that follows the part through space, which suits high-productivity inspection of large parts. In stand-alone mode the tracker is not needed, so an operator can carry the scanner into tight areas and measure without installing a tracking volume.
How is the accuracy of MetraSCAN BLACK2 verified?
FARO CREAFORM says the system is calibrated in ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories and acceptance-tested to ISO 10360 and VDI/VDE 2634 Part 3. The company positions it against the MetraSCAN BLACK+ and BLACK+ Elite portable scanners it already sells.
What practical changes does the new scanner bring?
The system adds an automatic shutter for exposure changes, single-cable connectivity and setup assistance tools that guide the operator through positioning. It also allows scanning and probing to run in parallel within the same workflow rather than as separate operations.
Who is FARO CREAFORM?
FARO CREAFORM combines FARO's 3D Measurement business with Creaform's metrology solutions, and is headquartered in Lévis, Québec and Lake Mary, Florida. FARO dates its roots to 1981 and Creaform was founded in 2002 in Lévis. The business is a unit of AMETEK, which reports annual sales of more than $7.5 billion.
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