Radian Pro offers both absolute distance measurement (ADM) and inferometer (IFM) capability, and is available with 20, 50 and 80 m range options, as well as six degrees of freedom (6DoF). The trackers can be provided with calibration tools to perform dynamic calibration and tracking of industrial robots and machine tools, delivering enhanced performance of manufacturing processes by reducing process variation.
With regard to Radian Plus, this laser tracker is supplied standard with the API vProbe or iScan. The vProbe is a handheld, lightweight tactile probe that extends the laser tracker co-ordinate measuring capabilities by permitting intricate features and part characteristics outside the line-of-sight tracker set-up. API’s vProbe is said to offer more versatility than a portable arm CMM and is suitable for large parts and styli lengths up to 500 mm. Alternatively, API iScan is a handheld, lightweight non-contact scanner with higher data rate and point cloud capture speed, as well as a newly developed global position sensor system.
Finally, Radian Core is a spherically-mounted retroflector (SMR) tracker only, with measuring ranges of 50 and 80 m.
All of API’s laser trackers feature the Unibody design that uses shaft-mounted motors, encoders and laser; the latter helps minimise ABBE offset errors. Unibody houses the laser source, optics, camera and major head electronics in the centre of the tracker body, centring all heat sources and allowing rapid distribution of heat throughout the body during warm-up or any drastic ambient temperature variations. API says that the Unibody design maintains equilibrium throughout operation due to its ‘air-over-cooling’ system, which results in shorter warm-up periods and superior measurement stability.
Standard iVision autolock functionality allows rapid recapture of a lost laser beam and provides good usability during difficult-to-access and interrupted line-of-sight measurements. Described as a unique feature, all Radian trackers house an integral battery offering 4 hours of operation with automatic recharge when the tracker is connected to the main power supply. An external power pack can add an additional 4 hours of remote operation, and can be used for tablet and smartphone charging in the event of battery failure.
