April 2026 Metrology News Magazine

Editors Message:

As additive manufacturing continues its transition from prototyping to full-scale production, the demands on quality control are evolving just as rapidly. This month’s developments across the metrology landscape make one thing clear: inspection is no longer a downstream checkpoint – it’s becoming an integrated, intelligent, and increasingly automated part of the manufacturing process.

A standout theme is the growing importance of computed tomography (CT) in industrial inspection. With complex internal geometries now commonplace in metal additive manufacturing, traditional measurement methods are no longer sufficient. We are witnessing a clear industry shift, with CT moving from a niche validation tool to a critical enabler of production-grade quality assurance as additive manufacturing scales to higher volumes and tighter tolerances.

At the same time, optical metrology is advancing deeper into production. Faster 3D scanning, multi-sensor systems, and enhanced vision technologies are enabling high-speed inspection directly on the shop floor, delivering actionable data without disrupting throughput.

This progress is closely linked to robotic automation, both inline and near-line. Automated scanning and AI-driven inspection are enabling consistent, operator-independent measurement at production speed, significantly reducing the time from data capture to decision-making.

Strategic industry developments also highlight the convergence of dimensional metrology and non-destructive testing, alongside continued investment in software, data processing, and domain expertise.

Across this month’s stories, one trend is clear: metrology is moving closer to production – becoming faster, smarter, and increasingly connected through the digital thread. From CT driven internal inspection to automated optical measurement, quality control is now happening in real time, where it matters most.

This month featured articles included “Metrology Moves to the Point of Manufacture“; “Robot-Assisted 3D Laser Scanning Redefines Inline Quality Inspection”; “Stepping into Metrology Automation – How 3D Scanners Bridge the Gap”; “AI Drives Smarter and More Accurate Machine Vision”; and “Augmented Reality Digitalizes and Optimizes Processes for Frontline Workers“.

Access the full library of April Metrology News articles by clicking here.

As usual, I welcome your comments, news, and views – my inbox is always open.

Keith Mills – Publishing Editor

Hexagon To Expand into NDT with Waygate Technologies Acquisition

Hexagon AB has announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Waygate Technologies, a leading provider of non-destructive testing solutions, from Baker Hughes. Waygate serves customers across aerospace, automotive, energy, and manufacturing sectors globally, and brings with it a portfolio of market-leading inspection technologies that integrate naturally with Hexagon’s existing precision measurement hardware … read more

InnovMetric Announces the Acquisition of Digisens’ Intellectual Property

InnovMetric, the leading provider of 3D metrology solutions, has announced that it has acquired the intellectual property of French company Digisens. In doing so, the multinational brings on a team of software developers with expertise in Computed Tomography data processing. As additive manufacturing gains momentum and parts become increasingly complex … read more

Nikon Launches Compact Laser Radar for Fast High-Precision Measurement

Nikon Corporation has announced the launch of the APDIS MV5X, the latest addition to its APDIS Laser Radar product lineup. Building upon the proven technology of the MV4x0 series, the MV5X represents a significant advancement in non-contact measurement technology, achieving high-precision, high-speed measurement in a compact and lightweight form … read more

Eyeonic Trace Ultra Sets New Benchmark with 3× Accuracy in Scanning

SiLC Technologies (SiLC) has announced the launch of Eyeonic Trace Ultra, the next generation of its Laser Line Scanner product family with 3x better accuracy. Trace Ultra delivers an unprecedented 100-micron range precision which is the thickness of a human hair or a sheet of paper. Designed for demanding industrial automation and inspection environments … read more

Robot-Assisted 3D Laser Scanning Redefines Inline Quality Inspection

Traditional, human-dependent measurement methods are increasingly reaching their limits in high-speed, high-precision production environments. AT Sensors, in collaboration with LASS Technology and EVT Eye Vision Technology, has enabled fully automated, 100% inline inspection of industrial components – delivering stable, operator-independent measurement results … read more

Stepping into Metrology Automation – How 3D Scanners Bridge the Gap

In manufacturing sectors, companies are continually confronted with various pressing challenges. Labor shortages and rising labor costs require innovative solutions to maintain productivity with less staff. In addition, relentless inflation continues to exert pressure on raw material costs, squeezing margins and are also racing against tight production timelines … read more

Metrology Moves to the Point of Manufacture

For decades, industrial metrology has largely existed as a downstream function – an essential but separate step used to validate quality after production. Parts were manufactured, transferred to inspection environments, measured, and either approved or rejected. While this ensured precision, it also introduced bottlenecks, and missed opportunities for real-time process control. A new generation of production-integrated metrology systems is redefining the role … read more

Accessible Multi-Sensor CMM Bridges Skills Gap

The recent introduction of the VISIUS multi-sensor CMM by Hexagon addresses critical challenges facing manufacturers. Designed to support high-mix, high-volume production environments, VISIUS combines precision, versatility, and ease of use in a single, metrology system anyone can use. As manufacturers face increasing pressure to deliver high-quality components … read more

Redefining In-Line Inspection for High-Volume Manufacturing

Manufacturers constantly face the challenge of maintaining consistent quality in high-volume production. Traditional quality methods are becoming outdated due to inefficiencies, reliance on manual labor, subjective assessments, tooling obstructions, and human error. In AM, the challenges of complex geometries and scalability demands make quality control … read more

Next-Generation Digital Comparator for Precision Manufacturing

The L.S. Starrett Co., a leading manufacturer of precision measuring tools and gages, metrology systems, has announced the launch of the HDV250. This next-generation digital comparator is engineered to deliver superior surface illumination, clearer image quality and enhanced measurement accuracy for manufacturing environments … read more

3D Vision Meets the Digital Thread in Next-Gen Aircraft Assembly

In today’s aircraft production, precision is everything. Every hole and every fixing point must be precisely positioned to ensure safety and quality. As part of the DiCADeMA project (Digital Cabin Architectures and Design for Manufacturing) led by the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), a novel, fully digitally networked process has been developed … read more

SHINING 3D EinScan Rigil Lite Expands All-in-One Scanning Portfolio

With more than two decades of experience in high-precision 3D scanning, SHINING 3D has introduced the EinScan Rigil Lite, further strengthening its all-in-one scanning portfolio for professional users. The latest addition to the Rigil Series combines performance, flexibility, and accessibility in a compact, integrated platform. Rigil Lite incorporates a hybrid light-source … read more

Evolution Toward Multi-Sensor Measurement Reflects a Broader Metrology Transformation

As manufacturing continues to demand higher precision and greater flexibility, the limits of single-technology measurement systems are becoming increasingly apparent. Today’s components often combine complex external geometries with features that require deeper, point-based verification. In this scenario, multi-sensor optical systems represent a natural evolutionn, seamlessly the speed of optical measurement with the precision of tactile probing … read more

Turning Inspection Data into Action – Metrologic DCS Introduces ‘Inspection Flow’

Metrologic DCS has launched ‘Inspection Flow’, a metrology intelligence platform designed to connect and contextualize inspection data across manufacturing lifecycle processes. Built as a high-performance analytics and decision layer, ‘Inspection Flow’ connects natively with the Metrologic DCS portfolio and handles third-party inspection systems data … read more

AI Drives Smarter and More Accurate Machine Vision

Cognex Corporation has announced the release of a new report ‘How AI Is Transforming Machine Vision Through Performance and Simplicity’. The report draws on firsthand insights from over 500 manufacturers, integrators, and OEMs to explore how artificial intelligence is making production lines smarter, more accurate, and easier to run … read more

Reinventing End-of-Line Inspection with iPhone + AI

End-of-line inspection is the final checkpoint before a product leaves your factory. If one defective item or pallet slips through, it lands with the customer. Now you have a recall. This inspection is your last chance to catch a defect. If your quality inspection depends on tired human eyes or rigid rule-based cameras … read more

FARO CREAFORM Cuts Laser Line Probe Time to Data on Challenging Surfaces

FARO CREAFORM, a global provider of 3D scanning and portable CMM solutions, has announced an update for its Laser Line Probe (LLP) portfolio used with the Quantum X FaroArm Series and Quantum Max FaroArm Series. The update introduces refined image processing algorithms designed to improve scan consistency and reduce time to data … read more

Augmented Reality Digitalizes and Optimizes Processes for Frontline Workers

Frontline workers remain central to production, inspection, and maintenance operations in manufacturing and industrial environments. Despite widespread digital transformation across engineering and design functions, many frontline processes still depend on paper-based instructions, fragmented data sources, and manual workflows. AR is now emerging … read more

Direct Scanning Laser Trackers – A New Era for Quality Control

Precision drives the success of every modern manufacturing line with mounting pressure to deliver flawless components while managing limited factory space and a shortage of skilled operators. To meet these demands, inspection systems that deliver absolute certainty without slowing down production are a key pillar. Laser trackers provide that certainty … read more

Redefining Industrial Robotics with Learned Physical Intelligence

The evolution of artificial intelligence in manufacturing and metrology has long been defined by advances in perception, computation, and automation. Today, a new milestone is emerging—one that shifts the conversation from programmed automation to learned physical intelligence. The introduction of GEN-1, a multimodal AI model … read more

Stereolabs ZED X Nano Redefines Vision for Physical AI Robotics

Ouster, a company specializing in sensing and perception for Physical AI, has announced the release of the Stereolabs ZED X Nano, a compact wrist-mount stereo camera engineered for robotic manipulation, imitation learning, and high-throughput data collection in the Physical AI era. As robotics teams scale imitation learning and reinforcement learning for manipulation … read more

EDGE Series Launch Vision Engineering Redefines Shop-Floor Metrology

Vision Engineering, a leading global manufacturer of ergonomic inspection and non-contact metrology systems, has announced the launch of EDGE: a new range of compact vision measurement systems designed to bridge the gap between manual inspection and full-scale CNC automation. EDGE addresses the growing demand for high-accuracy, non-contact inspection … read more

Onto Innovation and Rigaku Partner to Advance X-ray Process Control

Onto Innovation has announced a strategic collaboration with X-ray technology leader Rigaku Holdings Corp. to advance next-generation process control solutions for semiconductor manufacturing. Rigaku is engaged across a wide range of markets, including a growing presence in process control for semiconductor fabrication … read more

APOLLO Introduces Predictive Intelligence for Coordinate Measuring Machines

Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence has announced the launch of APOLLO, an AI-driven platform designed to transform how manufacturers manage their metrology assets. APOLLO provides real-time predictive condition monitoring for CMMs and machine tools, empowering quality and maintenance teams to maximize uptime, measurement reliability, and OEE … read more

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