Revamped Tube Inspection with New Software

Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence will be showcasing the Romer Absolute Arm Tube Inspection system and TubeShaper software at IMTS 2016, a brand new dedicated tube measurement package for use with the Romer Absolute Arm portable tube inspection solution. The tube inspection system will be highlighted at IMTS 2016 in Hexagon Booth #E-5202.

TubeShaper is a completely new product designed specifically to apply the versatile measurement capabilities of the Romer Absolute Arm portable coordinate measuring machine (CMM) to tube-related inspection applications such as tube production, tube and pipe inspection, reverse engineering of tubes and tube assemblies, and tube gauging. Developed in close collaboration with some of the world’s leading tube producers and with the benefit of over three decades of experience in metrology for the tube industry, it offers a scalable system to meet the needs of engineers, quality managers and shop-floor users all around the factory.

Based on an intuitive graphical user interface with two operator access profiles, TubeShaper offers a number of user-friendly features. Measurement plans can be created automatically in first-part inspection or set up offline prior to measurement, making batch measurements faster while guaranteeing repeatability. An advanced CAD engine enables the import and export of tube data in various formats as well as the inspection of full tube assemblies including welded brackets, hangers and flanges. The software also has the ability to interface directly with one or more CNC tube benders, enabling correctional data to be calculated and applied within the production cycle, streamlining operations and almost completely eliminating scrap.

“The Romer Absolute Arm has become a metrology fixture in a huge range of industries, so it’s easy to forget that the first portable measuring arms were developed for tube measurement,” notes Stephan Amann, Product Line Manager at Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence. “With its modern look and feel, versatile functionality and wide-ranging application potential, TubeShaper will bring this use of the arm to the fore once again. The user experience is completely different to previous tube measurement software options, and we’re really excited to bring a package like this to market.”

TubeShaper is available worldwide now as part of the Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence Tube Inspection System or as a standalone software for use with existing Hexagon portable measuring arm systems.

Visit the company's IMTS showroom for more information.