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Original Date: 05/08/1995
Revision Date: 01/18/2007
Information : Laser Tracking System
McDonnell Douglas Aerospace (MDA)-St. Louis purchased a three-dimensional laser tracking system from Leica in 1994 as a state-of-the-art portable inspection system that can be used in various locations throughout the plant.
The Leica system includes a tracker head assembly and retro reflector, networked PC, and a controller consisting of a power supply, motor amplifiers, encoders and interferometer electronics. The tracker can measure a surface from varying distances and allows substantial flexibility with large irregular shapes. The machine can be used as a test bed for final assembly and machine shop applications. It can also be used to test a machining program without cutting material, to certify machine alignments, map contour surfaces and mold lines, and to reverse engineer surfaces. This equipment can also be used in place of a Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) on large parts that are too cumbersome or too complex to remove from a machine for inspection.
MDA-St. Louis maintains that the laser tracking system can do the work of a four-head theodolite system faster and cheaper, and can work to closer tolerances. Projected annual savings of using this system over conventional tooling bars and optics is approximately $940,862.
For more information see the
Point of Contact for this survey.
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