API has introduced its 6DoF vProbe, a hand-held tactile probing system, for use with its portable RADIAN Pro and Plus Laser Tracker range, extending their dimensional measurements capabilities to perform part inspections conventionally performed by large fixed coordinate measuring machines (CMM).

The wirelessly-operated API vProbe allows measurement of intricate part features, including those outside the tracker’s line-of-site, providing fast and accurate manual part inspections. The vProbe, combined with a laser tracker, can provide more measurement versatility than a portable arm CMM while being significantly more accurate and more suitable for larger parts. The portability of the API RADIAN Plus laser tracker with vProbe combination allows measurements to be made directly on the production floor and, in many cases, when a large part is still in situ on large machine tools.

The lightweight, fully-integrated vProbe, with easy-hold grip, turns a laser tracker into a truly portable CMM with its integrated, repeatable, quick-change ruby styli, while offering tactile scanning with instant part alignment correlation feedback. vProbe makes measurements quick and easy whether inside, behind or underneath a large part.

vProbe features an easy-hold grip, 6-hour battery life, LED indicator and dual styli mount with toggle switch which can carry stylus extensions of up-to 500mm, providing measuring access to deep part features and further increasing laser tracker production-floor measuring capability.

The combo package is ideally suited to a wide-range of large volume metrology applications found across the full depth of manufacturing industries including aerospace, shipbuilding, heavy machinery, military and defense.

About API

For more than 30 years API has pioneered laser-based equipment for measurement and calibration. API founder and CEO, Dr. Kam Lau, invented the laser tracker while working at USA’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to allow industrial robot accuracies to be determined.

Today API is a global company with its laser trackers, machine tool and robot calibration equipment, optical sensors and coordinate measuring products continuing to be the benchmark for metrology Automation, Precision and Innovation. API measurement and calibration products are at the heart of manufacturing organizations world-wide ensuring product quality and performance.

API also provides on-site dimensional inspection, metrology and calibration services. Headquartered in Rockville, Maryland USA, API has subsidiary operations in Germany, France, Brazil, China and India.