‘METROLOGY BREW’ News Bulletin – 14th September
Summary of metrology and smart manufacturing news from the past 7 days.
From AI-Assisted Inspection to AI-Native Metrology
AI is rapidly changing the role of metrology within manufacturing. What began as the application of AI to individual inspection tasks is evolving into something considerably more significant: measurement systems designed around artificial intelligence, data and increasingly autonomous decision-making. This transition from ‘AI-assisted inspection to AI-native metrology’ could become one of the most important developments in industrial measurement … read more
Hexagon Launches AI-Enhanced OPTIV S Optical CMM
Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence has announced the launch of its next-generation OPTIV S optical coordinate measuring machine (CMM). The redesigned platform delivers significant improvements in speed, accuracy and usability while introducing a new generation of AI-assisted measurement technologies that will be released in phases … read more
Hexagon ENSPEC Opens a New Entry Point to Professional CMM Metrology
Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence has announced the launch of ENSPEC, its professional-grade bridge CMM, for the UK and EMEA markets. Built for manufacturers and subcontractors bringing measurement in-house for the first time, along with those seeking to upgrade or expand an existing quality operation. ENSPEC delivers proven Hexagon quality … read more
Sensofar Introduces Next Generation Optical 3D Surface Metrology Platform
Sensofar has announced the introduction of the S neox 6, the latest generation of its optical 3D surface metrology platform. Designed to support measurement needs across industry and research, the new system expands measurement possibilities while making the entire process faster, easier, and more intuitive. Building on 25 years of expertise in optical metrology … read more
Rigaku Launches High-Resolution X-ray CT System
Rigaku Corporation has announced the launch of the CT Lab HR160, a high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (CT) system for battery, semiconductor devices, electronic components, and advanced materials analysis. The system is developed in collaboration with Excillum AB, the global source for X-ray innovation. CT Lab HR160 combines Rigaku’s X-ray CT imaging … read more
Next-Generation Interferometric Laser Encoders
Renishaw has launched a new family of RLE laser interferometer encoder systems. The new product range comprises three systems – RLE100, RLE200 and RLE300 – providing precision position feedback for a wide range of semiconductor manufacturing motion control applications. Building on the proven Renishaw’s technology platforms … read more
Hexagon Takes Full Ownership of ZG Technology to Accelerate Portable Metrology
Hexagon has acquired the remaining 49 per cent of Wuhan ZG Automation Technology Co., Ltd, bringing its ownership of the Wuhan, China based 3D scanning specialist to 100 per cent. Hexagon acquired a 51 per cent majority stake in August 2021 and has consolidated ZG within its Manufacturing Intelligence Business Area since that time … read more
FIBERSCOPE iX3D Brings Verifiable 3D Measurement to Remote Visual Inspection
FIBERSCOPE has reintroduced the iX3D 3D measurement video borescope, a modular remote visual inspection system that has been developed in the U.S. with German optical engineering and is intended for use in cases where detecting an internal defect alone is insufficient. Using stereo vision, the iX3D produces 3D surface data to measure and check defects … read more
How Augmented Reality is Transforming Metrology in Smart Factories
As manufacturing industries transition toward Smart Factory architectures, quality control is shifting from a post-production filter to an inline, real-time feedback loop. At the heart of this transformation is Augmented Reality (AR)—a technology bridging the gap between digital quality data and physical inspection. By overlaying CAD models, computer vision … read more
AI-Powered Robotic System Targets Automated Gear Cutting Tool Inspection
A new robotic inspection system designed to automate the assessment of gear cutting tools is making its first appearance at IMTS 2026. Developed by Nidec RoboCam combines robotic camera-based inspection with artificial intelligence to evaluate the condition of gear cutting tools. The system provides an automated method of monitoring tooling condition … read more
ZEISS Advances Virtual Clamping for Automated Inspection
ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions has introduced the latest updates for Virtual Clamping – an app within the ZEISS INSPECT 3D metrology software. In combination with the new Guided Holding Kit, Virtual Clamping enables the precise and flexible clamping of a wide variety of parts – from small to large components made from injection-molded, die-cast, or sheet metal … read more
Beyond Quality Control – Using Inspection to Optimise Production
The line is running steadily, the cycle times are on target and production is running smoothly – yet the margin achieved is still behind expectations. Only a closer look at the process data reveals the cause: minimal packages being overfilled, unnecessary rejections and minor inefficiencies that go unnoticed for a long time – all of which impact profitability … read more
