Product News: Break-Resistant, Spherically Mounted Retroreflector

FARO’s SMR is part of expanded line of laser tracker targets

Published: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 - 05:00

(FARO: Lake Mary, FL) -- FARO Technologies Inc., global provider of portable 3-D measurement and imaging solutions, has released an accurate, break-resistant, spherically mounted retroreflector (SMR) as a part of its newly expanded line of laser tracker targets.

The break-resistant SMRs offer accuracy, durability, and affordability. In the past, users were faced with choosing between a high-performance, lower-cost glass panel SMR or a durable, higher-cost, less accurate break-resistant model. The new break-resistant SMRs offer an accuracy equal to or better than a traditional glass panel SMR, with the added advantage of being break-resistant. They also come at a lower cost;some are even less than a traditional glass panel SMR. This will allow users to quickly recognize a true return on investment.

“FARO’s dedication to providing world-class 3-D measurement and imaging solutions doesn’t stop with the devices themselves,” says Jay Freeland, FARO’s chief executive officer. “Our goal is to continuously offer industry-leading accessories that enable optimal device performance. With FARO’s new line of SMRs, we are able to take the durability and performance of break-resistant SMRs and make them affordable for more customers.”

These new targets are available in three models: standard accuracy, long range, and high performance. Each one has higher accuracy than previous FARO break-resistant SMRs, while the long-range and high-performance models can track up to 55 m with the FARO Laser Tracker ION. In addition to its long range, the break-resistant SMR is 80-percent more accurate than previous FARO models. The combination of the sphere properties and centering of the optics make it the world’s most accurate break-resistant SMR.

“Regardless of how accurate your laser tracker is, the quality of the measurements is directly affected by the precision of the target,” says Ken Steffey, FARO director of product management of Laser Tracker products. “These new break-resistant SMRs contain a single element retroreflector with a gold coating. Since the retroreflector is constructed of a single element, there are no separate glass panels that can shift or break over time. Users can now have the peace of mind that comes with a break-resistant target without having to sacrifice high performance.”

FARO is also introducing its new line of break-resistant window SMRs. These targets offer ultimate performance in harsh environments because the window covering is designed to keep the reflective optics clean. All the SMRs provided by FARO can be used with any laser tracker measurement system.

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FARO

FARO develops and markets computer-aided coordinate measurement and imaging devices and software. FARO’s portable equipment permits high-precision 3-D measurement, imaging, and comparison of parts and compound structures within production and quality assurance processes. The devices are used for inspecting components and assemblies, production planning, 3-D documentation, as well as for investigation and reconstruction of accident sites or crime scenes, and to generate digital scans of historic sites. Principal products include the FaroArm, the FARO Laser Tracker ION, FARO Laser ScanArm, FARO Laser Scanner, FARO Gage, and the CAM2 family of advanced CAD-based measurement and reporting software.