As for the HandyPROBE CMM, the sturdier and slimmer device  shed a little more than 0.5 kg and now offers increased reliability. We have made these changes as part of our continuous improvement program  to ensure that we fine tunes our technologies and keep the lead in portable 3D optical measurement technologies. Product director Jean-François Larue pointed out that “the gain in productivity and the outstanding measurement reliability of the HandyPROBE  are definite key points in the decision of  leader companies such as the European Space Agency, EADS (Airbus), Safran, Pratt & Whitney, BMW and Honda to provide their plants with the system.”

Complementary product MaxSHOT 3D optical coordinate measuring system has been developed to add the accuracy and speed of photogrammetry to the wide range of applications already possible with our technologies, especially when it comes to larger parts. Our main goal was to come up with the most user-friendly photogrammetry software that ever existed to support the MaxSHOT 3D , and we are extremely proud to present an innovative software that is very simple to operate.

Featuring real-time visualization and validation of acquired data and an entirely guided step-by-step operation, the VXshot module allows even those new to photogrammetry to quickly and easily generate a high accuracy positioning model of an object.”

Basically, we have decided to further development in this field through original equipment manufacturer (OEM) agreements. 

We have developed an application programming interface to increase the adaptability of our data acquisition software. Ultimately, this API ensures reliable, clear, and seamless translation and communication with our OEM partners’ proprietary software.

Read the complete article: http://www.medicaldesignbriefs.com/component/content/article/10225

Creaform’s course of action took into account the fact that the boats had to be measured outside in dry dock. We decided on a Leica C-10 long range scanner, which increased the number of points of measurement from a few hundred to several millions. Read the complete story!
 

When teamed with Creaform’s C-Track dual camera optical sensor, VXtrack dynamic tracking can be used to simultaneously and continuously measure positions and orientations in space with great precision.

Combined with the HandyPROBE arm-free portable coordinate measuring machine (CMM), VXtrack provides a complete portable 3D measuring solution offering both probing inspection and dynamic measurement capabilities.

VXtrack module’s applications : 

• Robot calibration and guidance
• Monitoring of complex assembly processes
• Real-time compensation of machining tool-generated errors
• Monitoring of deformations during testing.

From what we saw, we can tell that it’s a very accurate and instructive application. We were very happy to find out that Creaform is going pretty much in the same direction with its line-up of Creaform 3D Body Digitizers. Indeed, Google Body Browser’s first view (the skin) could have been acquired with a MegaCapturor!

Mmmm, let’s daydream for a bit…imagine a partnership between Creaform and Google that would lead to an improved version of the application allowing any Google user to browse his own body, after a quick stop in one of Creaform’s MegaCapturor Body Scanning Station!

Google, we’ll be waiting by the phone!

In VXelements, all interaction with the C-Track and HandyPROBE are located in the right panel. The user can quickly see the operational status of the C-Track, manage all probes installed on the system, calibrate the C-Track and manage how the C-Track positions itself in space.

Creating geometrical entities is as simple as it was previously with the combination of VxScan and HPS 1.2. Select the type of entity to measure, grab the HandyPROBE stylus and get that entity measured. In the end, export it to an IGES file to use in any CAD software. It’s as simple as it gets.

Since both the HandyPROBE and the Handyscan 3D products now use the same software platform, integration between the two devices is also simplified. You can go seamlessly between both devices, keeping all acquired data in the same reference frame.

Of course, VXelements’ VXprobe module is compatible with all major inspection software, such as PowerInspect, Polyworks, Metrolog, Geomagic and Verisurf.

VXelements will be provided to all customers with a valid maintenance contract. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our support team to renew it if you have let it lapse…!

The slider will automatically fill in the smaller holes which may have been left on the part by either a slight lack of data, a bad scan by the user or a place which might be inaccessible for the scanner.

If you have a VIUscan and that you acquired some texture on the zones where the holes are filled, the real scanned texture will be applied to this surface, rather than an interpolation of what might be located at that place. Again, one step closer to the final result.

It will not fill in the larger gaps but rather concentrates itself on smaller holes which often result in long manual filling in post-processing software. Use it smartly and you will be much closer to your final result than you were before.

Benefits of MOCAP:

• Faster than traditional animation (Key frame-based animation)
• Complex movement and realistic physical interaction, it is easy to capture
• Movement precision
• Cost reduction for movies or video games work flow

The MOCAP methods started with a photogrammetric analysis tool. When you use Motion Capture, the person has to wear markers near each joint of his body to identify the movement by angles or positions between the targets. The markers are the acoustics, the inertial, the light-emitting diode (LED), the magnetic or the reflective markers, or combination of all of theses.

I think with the new technologies you can achieve perfect details to make video games and movies more realistic. Let’s check a video to better understand the impact of motion capture!

In VxScan 3.1, we introduced geometrical entities, which could be created directly from the scanned surface or based on other entities. These entities are mainly designed for alignment with external coordinate systems, but also provide basic inspection results, as we can see below.

VxScan 4.0 introduces a new construction method for these entities: probing. If there is a HandyPROBE system installed on this machine, the probing button will appear in the toolbar.

When the Probing mode is active, the default construction mode becomes probing and the HandyPROBE system can be controlled directly from VxScan. Both systems will share the same coordinate system, it will be possible to probe directly planes, lines, circles, spheres, points and polylines aligned with the scan data.

As you can see, we can also get basic inspection results that will allow to complete simple inspection routines. The goal is not to replace a fully fledged metrology software but rather to allow the HandyPROBE system collaborate better with our other systems.

VxScan 4.0 is available for all customers with an active maintenance contract and can be downloaded directly from the support zone of Creaform’s website.

Not only do they push back the limits of aesthetics, but they also push back the limits of mechanics.

Among other things, they keep developing:
_ Packaging to deliver the exact dose; NO waste!
_ Packaging in easily stackable shapes to make handling and warehousing easier
_ Packaging using less material in order to respect the environment and reduce shipping costs; that’s killing two birds with one stone!

Since businesses keep looking for ways to improve their packaging, many companies developing computer-assisted design software have seen the opportunity and developed software catering to this need; Dassault Systèmes is one of them. Their CPG software (Consumer Packaged Goods) allows for instance to take professionals working in this sector from design to client experience through simulation. Isn’t that great?

Simulation could be addressed in greater depth in a coming post; that would be very interesting.