Laser Tracker – A Breakthrough Measurement Tool in Modern Manufacturing

In today’s industry, especially in the automotive and aeronautical or heavy sector, precise spatial measurements are crucial.
Laser trackers, or so-called Laser Trackers, are state-of-the-art devices that have revolutionized the way three-dimensional components are measured over long distances.
Introduced to the market in the late 1980s, they have now become one of the most important tools in industrial manufacturing, offering high accuracy, mobility and convenience of use.
Check out our post on these very interesting and technologically advanced devices.

What is a Laser Tracker?

Laser Tracker is a measuring device that tracks a special retro-reflector with a laser beam, allowing precise determination of the 3D coordinates of this reflector.
Thanks to laser technology, the device can measure components both up close and at longer distances – up to 80 meters.
Measurement accuracy starts at around 25 micrometers at close distances, making it ideal for quality control in the production of large and complex components.

Main advantages of Laser Tracker

1 High Precision and Speed of Measurements Laser Trackers are distinguished by extremely high measurement accuracy.
The device measures two angles and a distance, making it possible to precisely determine the position of points on the surface of the object being measured.
The measurement is done in real time, which significantly increases the efficiency of quality control and allows dynamic detection of possible discrepancies in real time.

2 Mobility and Flexibility Traditional coordinate measuring devices are usually stationary, which limits their application to smaller parts and requires moving the parts under test to the measurement station.
Laser Trackers are portable, making it possible to move the device where it is needed, such as to a production line or directly to an assembly location.
This makes it possible to measure even very large and difficult to move parts.

3 Operation and Automation A trained operator is required to operate the Laser Tracker.
During measurement, you can follow the movements of the retroreflector, which reflects the laser beam, allowing you to measure the coordinates of any point on the object.
In modern versions of these devices, measurements can be performed automatically after applying appropriate measurement programs then programmed by the measurer.

4 Use in Difficult Conditions Laser Trackers are adapted for use in harsh production conditions.
They are always equipped with ambient temperature sensors and internal sensors to take into account the effect of temperature on thermal expansion.
This allows for even more accurate results.

5 Versatile Applications Laser Trackers are used in a wide range of manufacturing applications – from inspecting machines and tools to measuring finished components and monitoring the assembly process.
They can also be used for direct control of mechanical equipment, allowing for ongoing correction of its operation, elimination of waste and increased production compliance with specifications.

Distance Measurement Technology

Laser Trackers use different distance measurement technologies – interferometers and absolute distance measurement (ADM) systems.
Interferometers measure the displacement of the retroreflector with extremely high accuracy, tracking any change in distance.
ADM technology, on the other hand, enables rapid distance measurement even after a beam break, which is extremely useful in dynamic production environments.

Examples of Applications

Laser Trackers are used in non-manufacturing processes, such as precise alignment of large-scale structures, such as electric turbine generators and particle gas pedals.
You can learn more about the various applications in our BLOG where we present examples of services completed with Laser Trackers.

Summary

Laser Trackers are tools that have revolutionized spatial measurement in industry.
Thanks to their mobility, precision and flexibility, it is possible to significantly increase the efficiency of quality control and optimize production processes.
Their high accuracy and ability to work in dynamic environments make them one of the most versatile measurement tools available on the market.
For companies striving for the highest quality products, Laser Trackers are becoming an invaluable support at every stage of production.
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