Encoders, Sensors, other Feedback Devices – IndMacDig | Industrial Machinery Digest

MarCator 1086/1087 Digital Indicators from Mahr Deliver Precision with Smart Connectivity

Industrial Machinery Digest — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 15:49:47 +0000

Mahr Inc., a leading provider of dimensional metrology solutions, announced the latest generation in the MarCator family, the new 1086 and 1087 digital indicators. Designed to redefine accuracy and connectivity in handheld metrology tools, the new instruments are equipped with state-of-the-art features tailored for both static and dynamic measuring tasks, including touchscreen buttons, extra-hardened glass fronts, colored LEDs for measured value classification, and remote control and connectivity options to ensure convenience when measuring and setting the instrument.

The new features enable the MarCator 1086 and 1087 digital indicators to be ideal for use in any work environment. The extra-large digital display, featuring a hardened glass front and touchscreen buttons with direct, practical functions, makes measuring and data recording easy and reliable. Innovative colored LED indicators facilitate quick and accurate classification of measurements, identify good products and waste, as well as reworks or warning limits. In addition, the large LCDs offer immediate visibility of measured values and symbols, enhancing clarity and reducing errors.

The MarCator 1086 and 1087 digital indicators are available for a wide range of measuring tasks: for static measurements such as lengths, distances, and length differences, and dynamic measurements such as radial runout, concentricity, straightness, and flatness. Measurement data is conveniently and securely transmitted wirelessly (Ri models) or via a USB data cable with bidirectional data transmission (R and Ri models).

Furthermore, specialized versions are available to meet specific requirements such as inside and outside comparison measurements, even higher accuracy, or special IP protection, enabling users to select the ideal solution tailored to their unique measurement needs. Using the complimentary MarCom Professional software, users can conveniently configure settings, customize locking functions, and remotely control the device from their PC. Three measurement presets and tolerance values are also available.

“The MarCator 1086 and 1087 handheld metrology tools seamlessly integrate advanced technology with a rugged, user-friendly design, making precise measurement both reliable and convenient,” said Dr. Farzad Azimi, Precision Gages Product Manager at Mahr Inc. “Advanced connectivity also provides faster, clearer decisions and seamless data integration, at the bench or on the shop floor.”

About Mahr Inc.

When customers are faced with a metrology need, they turn to Mahr Inc., for unmatched industry expertise. Mahr Inc.’s knowledgeable, experienced team has made the company a leader in precision measurement for more than a century.

Mahr Inc., a member of the Mahr Group, has been providing dimensional measurement solutions to fit customer application needs for more than 160 years. The company manufactures and markets a wide variety of dimensional metrology equipment, from simple and easy-to-use handheld gages to technically advanced measurement systems for form, contour, surface finish and length. Mahr Inc. is also well known as a producer of custom-designed gages and a provider of calibration and contract measurement services. Mahr Inc.’s calibration laboratories are accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2005 NVLAP Lab Code 200605-0 (see our Scope of Accreditation for accredited calibration processes).

For more information, visit www.mahr.com

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Industrial Machinery Digest

Hexagon and PRAGMA Forge Partnership to Advance Portable NDT and Metrology Solutions

Industrial Machinery Digest — Wed, 21 May 2025 15:07:46 +0000

Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division and PRAGMA proudly announce an evolution of their existing partnership, designed to deliver unprecedented portability in Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) by integrating cutting-edge inspection capabilities with Hexagon’s advanced portable metrology solutions. This first-to-market innovation allows manufacturers to conduct comprehensive inspections directly at the site of components without removal or disassembly, fundamentally transforming traditional inspection workflows. By integrating PRAGMA NDT instruments and sensors with Hexagon’s Absolute Arms and Leica laser trackers, customers can now utilize 3D coordinate space positioning for imaging of NDT defects, benefiting from digitized surfaces and CAD models.

The portability of this combined solution enables engineers and technicians to perform a wide range of NDT inspections on-location – including thickness monitoring, corrosion mapping, spot weld inspection, composite flaw detection, surface defect analysis, additive manufacturing validation, wrought volumetric flaw identification, full penetration weld examination, and cast volumetric flaw detection – all while maintaining precise positioning within the part’s coordinate system.

“We are happy to be strengthening our partnership with PRAGMA to deliver a pioneering new solution to the market,” said Brian Winters, North America Product Manager for Absolute Arms at Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division. “Our combined solution brings NDT innovation directly to the part. “For example, if engineers need to assess the integrity of an aircraft wing component or a structural component inside the cabin, they can now do so much faster and with precise absolute positioning – eliminating the previously time-consuming process of recording data in strips and manually stitching it together.”

Non-Destructive Testing allows manufacturers to examine internal structures and detect flaws without damaging or disassembling components. When combined with Hexagon’s high-precision metrology technology, users can precisely locate and analyze internal defects while maintaining exact positioning data within the part’s coordinate system – all with the convenience of on-site portability that was previously impossible with traditional NDT methods.

Under this strategic distribution agreement, Hexagon will distribute PRAGMA’s innovative NDT products and solutions across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The partnership capitalizes on Hexagon’s modular Absolute Arm RA8 configuration, which allows for additional sensors to transform the portable arm into a multipurpose tool that combines precision metrology with advanced NDT capabilities.

“We’ve spent the last years identifying opportunities and demonstrating the capabilities of NDT combined with metrology technology. The market demand for absolute position encoding of NDT data is substantial, particularly for manufacturers who need to get ahead of internal product defects,” Winters added.

François Mainguy, PRAGMA’s CEO, stated: “The timing is right, as Hexagon benefits from niche technologies like ours to support its innovation path, while PRAGMA is looking to expand its distribution networks. Together, we’re helping manufacturers in aerospace, automotive, and other critical industries detect issues that would otherwise remain hidden until failure.”

The technology is particularly valuable for maintenance and repair operations, reverse engineering, and analysis of parts that have been in service. Key industries benefiting from this integration include aerospace, automotive, composites manufacturing, wind energy, nuclear power, and defense sectors.

“The combined capabilities of both companies are already strong, and we are prepared to address even more customer challenges,” added Danny Perron, PRAGMA’s Head of Applications. “Our technology can analyze materials ranging from metal alloys to advanced composites, detecting flaws as small as 0.25mm in some cases.”

Hexagon will offer specialized kits tailored for aerospace and automotive applications, as well as retrofit options for existing Absolute Arms and Leica laser tracker customers who wish to add NDT capabilities to their current equipment.

“We invite interested manufacturers to see this groundbreaking technology in action at the upcoming Hexagon Live event,” said Winters. “This partnership expands Hexagon’s continued innovation around inspection, quality assurance, and reverse engineering – now allowing customers to look INSIDE parts without sectioning or destroying them.”

To learn more, visit Hexagon Absolute Arm NDT.

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Industrial Machinery Digest

FARO Technologies Pushes 3D Metrology Forward with New FARO Leap ST: A Versatile Handheld Scanner for Greater Insights

Industrial Machinery Digest — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 20:48:31 +0000

FARO® Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: FARO) has entered a new category of handheld scanning with the launch of FARO Leap ST®. The new handheld solution expands the company’s product portfolio, making FARO one of the few companies offering customers a complete range of portable 3D metrology devices. It strengthens the company’s presence across the manufacturing sector, where speed, accuracy, and throughput are key. The company paired this launch with an update to its FARO CAM2® Software, for a simple and effective way to scan parts.

“We wrapped up 2024 with a series of exciting new product launches, and we’re kicking off 2025 with the same momentum,” said President & CEO Peter J. Lau. “Leap ST underscores our dedication to the manufacturing sector and 3D metrology, the backbone of FARO Technologies for over 40 years. Along with our updated CAM2 software, we’re confident that Leap ST will significantly impact our customers and the wider industry.”

Leap ST features five powerful operating modes: ultra-fast scanning, hyperfine scanning, deep hole scanning, large area scanning, and photogrammetry. As a metrology-grade tool, it excels in measuring and verifying a variety of surfaces and parts. The design is compact, portable, and suitable for multiple industries and applications.

Additionally, the company enhanced its 3D metrology software offerings with the update of CAM2. The software now includes five tailored versions that address specific manufacturing measurement requirements. CAM2 now offers options for scanning devices and probing devices, as well as a hybrid approach that integrates probing and scanning for solutions such as the FaroArm with laser line probes.

RFK Racing, an existing FARO customer and eight-time NASCAR champion, praised Leap ST. “The new handheld scanner will seamlessly integrate into our processes, further boosting our manufacturing efficiency,” said Kevin Kidd, Director of Software and Analytics. “The unification of FARO data in CAM2, a software we’ve already adopted, will allow us to streamline information into one cohesive and connected system.”

Leap ST and CAM2 are now available in all regions; customers can book a demonstration on FARO.com.

About FARO

For more than 40 years, FARO has provided industry-leading technology solutions that enable customers to measure their world and then use that data to make smarter decisions faster. The company continues to be a pioneer in bridging the digital and physical worlds through data-driven reliable accuracy, precision, and immediacy.

For more information, visit www.faro.com.

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