West Manufacturing News • February 2025 • Plan 3D Inspection with Confidence

“To optimize its metrology process, an industrial company needs to think globally, with a proactive approach based on planning, programming, measurement and analysis,” said a Metrologic Group spokesperson. “The first step, planning, is essential for complete, errorfree 3D measurement.”

With Planner X4, a new tool in Metrologic Group’s software suite, customers can prepare work in advance of measurement to save time and avoid risk of error or interruption to the manufacturing chain.

Users can schedule an inspection plan directly in Planner X4. For even greater flexibility in the use of measuring equipment, they can plan this 3D inspection offline.

“No measuring machine available? With Planner X4, you can plan your inspection process without having to connect to the measuring equipment,” said the spokesperson. Prepare everything in advance to reduce processing time and the risk of errors.

For a measurement that is truly tailored to individual needs, users can decide which features and points to focus on during a session.

“Identify your specific needs and the most important features you wish to measure, choose the type of alignment to be applied, select your reference elements and prepare your labels in Planner X4,” said the spokesperson. “Then, when it is time to start your measurement, all the orders are completed: your operator just launches the measurement software.”

Calculate 3D measurement using basic 2D data, integrated PMI data or by importing different types of planning files. If users want to add new PMI data, a simple click is all it takes. If users are working from a paper plan, they can link PMI data to an identification number, so they can find them quickly in the software.

To set up the 3D inspection process, operators can use any type of data: IGS, CATParts and many others. This flexibility means one can import any type of file to run Planner X4. Likewise, export the inspection process without having to worry about format.

Users can directly access an overview of measurement process so they can carefully check its steps and compliance.

Create reports by choosing the structure and building them as desired. Simply drag & drop the desired images to complete the report. And, once the measurement has been completed, the report will fill itself out according to the framework and important points laid down at the planning stage.

“Planner X4 is the first step in the complete measurement process developed by Metrologic Group, covering the entire 3D inspection process, including planning, preparation, programming, execution, reporting, follow-up and supervision,” said the spokesperson. “The end-to-end process enables closed-circuit measurement, facilitating data transmission while reducing the risk of errors and downtime on the production line.”