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Introducing the Next-Generation Laser Tracker ‘ATS800’

In May 2025, Hexagon's Manufacturing Intelligence division, based in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, unveiled the Leica Absolute Tracker ATS800, a cutting-edge laser tracker designed to enhance inspection processes for major manufacturing sectors, particularly in aerospace. This innovative device accelerates quality control by improving reproducibility and significantly reducing inspection times, aligning with the fast-paced demands of modern production.

Transforming Inspection Processes

The ATS800 is strategically designed to meet the rigorous demands of industries such as aerospace and energy, where the inspection of large structures is often time-intensive. Here are three key benefits of the ATS800:

1. Speedy Inspection: Utilizing patented TruePoint technology, the ATS800 can perform highly accurate scans of up to 40 meters without requiring reflective targets. This means setup and target placement take mere minutes instead of hours, making the inspection process faster and more efficient.

2. Portable and Versatile Design: The compact, battery-powered design allows easy movement around large parts, thanks to wireless connectivity. Additionally, it can be seamlessly integrated into automated workflows using SDKs with AMRs or robots, supporting the trend towards robotic inspection systems.

3. Real-Time Assembly Capability: The integration of reflective measurement and direct scanning enables real-time tracking and measurement of moving components during assembly. This eliminates the need for separate devices or stopping the measurement cycle for alignment or joining processes.

Amid challenges like labor shortages and rising costs, the ATS800 represents a leap forward in inspection technology for aerospace manufacturers. The system provides scanning precision comparable to reflective measurement systems while maintaining a highly portable and lightweight profile.

Innovative Features: Automated and Efficient

One of the standout features of the ATS800 is its automation capabilities. The system includes a feature recognition technology known as 'FeatureDetect,’ allowing it to identify essential geometries of primary components without manual programming. This smart integration reduces the operator's workload, leading to enhanced productivity both in automated and manual inspection processes.

Operating independently from CAD data, the FeatureDetect uses a high-resolution panoramic camera to recognize features directly from physical parts. This capability speeds up setup and streamlines inspections, ensuring that high-quality standards are maintained without adding complexity for operators.

Designed with safety in mind, the ATS800 thrives in environments where manual inspections of large structures often become bottlenecks. It offers both direct scanning and reflector tracking in a single compact package, supporting a myriad of applications from hull alignment to composite layering without compromising accuracy or traceability.

According to Rodrigo Alfaia, Director of Hexagon's Laser Tracker products, “Manufacturers today are under pressure to increase production while maintaining the highest quality standards. The ATS800 reduces hours of setup and measurement activities on-site without sacrificing accuracy. It brings data-driven processes to operational levels, automating large-scale inspections both physically and digitally.”

Leveraging Digital Technology for Automation

The ATS800 integrates Hexagon’s renowned laser tracker technology with high-performance direct scanning capabilities in a compact device. It can carry out highly precise reflective-less measurements across large distances, efficiently gathering data on critical features such as edges, holes, slots, and screws without physical contact or proximity scanning.

Furthermore, the ATS800 is compatible with widely-used measurement software platforms, making it easy to incorporate into existing inspection workflows. Its adaptable design allows it to serve as a scalable, high-throughput inspection solution, capable of addressing demanding manufacturing needs.

Flexibility and Portability at Its Core

Despite its advanced functionalities, the ATS800’s design emphasizes portability and deployment flexibility. Its compact shape allows for multi-directional attachment, facilitating seamless integration with various platforms like AMRs, gantries, lifts, tracks, and robot arms, thereby supporting safe operations within crowded manufacturing environments.

By leveraging a well-established SDK, the ATS800 can be seamlessly integrated into complex robotic workflows, enabling automated feature measurement, dynamic part tracking, and real-time closed-loop process control.

For example, the ATS800 can drive Hexagon’s latest PRESTO Quality Stations, automating the inspection of features on vehicle chassis using long-range reflective-less scans to significantly reduce cycle times while improving reproducibility and throughput.

Revolutionizing Night Inspections in Aerospace

As aerospace and other industries scale production, the ability to perform nighttime or in-process inspections becomes crucial. The ATS800 ensures complete digital traceability through unmanned scans, real-time tracking, and sub-assembly alignment, maintaining high precision without interrupting the workflow.

At the heart of the ATS800 lies Hexagon's TruePoint Interferometer, which minimizes noise, enabling precise measurements even on complex surfaces or steep angles. Its unique PowerLock reacquisition technology offers instant re-locking on moving reflectors, ensuring continuous measurement during real-time assembly.

In conclusion, the ATS800 marks a significant advancement in efficient manufacturing processes. Its introduction sets a new standard in quality control and inspection technology, providing manufacturers with the tools they need to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape.

For more detailed information about Hexagon's offerings, visit hexagon.com.