Wenzel Group GmbH acquired German-based Steintek Optical Measuring Systems in the summer of 2009 and is now making available through Xspect Solutions, Inc. the optical high-speed measuring sensors for the North American marketplace.

Marketed now under the Wenzel ScanTec name, this optical measuring system utilizes non-contact measuring technology that is based on a white light distance sensor that is adapted for all types of surfaces and can be integrated into production operations. These types of optical systems detect and analyze even the lowest defects and assure a fast feedback in fully customizable reports. Currently, these systems are mainly applied on CMMS with swivel heads for measuring complex parts like turbine blades, blisks and impellers.

The sensor technology allows direct measurement of various types of surfaces including, shiny, rusty, black, white, milled or polished, soft, sensitive or rough. Measured data serves as an analysis tool for production operations, providing important test data. The system is easy to operate. It does not require a temperature-controlled room and is fully automatic by searching and measuring the object with the specified resolution.

The speed of the ScanTec optical measuring system is 180 coordinates per minute in point measurement mode. In application, this would be approximately 1.5 minutes for the measurement of 3 airfoil sections including axis alignment and reporting. In scanning mode the unit measures 4,200 coordinates per minute. This would mean the measurement of 10 airfoil sections including axis alignment and reporting would take as little as 3 minutes.

The software that supports the Wenzel ScanTec optical measuring system is easily adaptable to most CMM computer control systems.