What does it do?
Measure the three-dimensional location of a
mobile target with an accuracy of a few microns,
over a range of tens of metres
Why use this technique?
Laser trackers provide fast measurement of a
target which can be moved almost anywhere
within line-of-sight of the base unit. A key factor
in favour of the Tracker is the high relative
accuracy that can be achieved. As a consequence
Laser Trackers have largely superceded more
traditional methods such as Theodolites or
conventional metrology tools such as collimators.
What are laser trackers used for?
Robot tracking, calibration, maintenance
and testing
Shipbuilding
Aircraft manufacturing
Automotive jig build and set up
Verification of the design of
manufactured structures
Reverse engineering
Inspection and alignment
Type of information gathered:
Raw 3-D co-ordinates
CAD models
Surfaces
Deformation
Movement
Reverse engineering data
Tracking of objects
How do laser trackers work?
Laser trackers are based on the combination of
two techniques: a laser interferometer to measure
relative distance, and optical encoders to measure
azimuth and elevation of a beam-steering mirror.
Linear interferometers are a standard industrial
measurement tool. They work on the principle of