Hexagon Metrology recently announced the Leica B-Probe, an entry-level, wireless probing device which extends the capability of the Leica Absolute Tracker AT402. The handheld Leica B-Probe is designed for the inspection, alignment and assembly of large scale fabrications such as railway coaches, construction and off-highway vehicles or agricultural machinery.

The Leica B-Probe works within a 32.8 ft (10 m) radial distance from the AT402 with an accuracy of +/- .008 in (0.2 mm) over a full measurement range, offering greater capabilities and flexibility over similar systems that have fixed-base stations. The lightweight 6.7 oz (190 g) B-Probe features IP50 certification and is AAA battery-powered, an ideal complement to the ultra-compact, user friendly system design of the AT402. By using the move station method, the working range of the system can easily be multiplied with almost no loss in probing accuracy. For even larger parts or measurements that require higher accuracies, a standard retroreflector can also be used in combination with the B-Probe to take full advantage of the AT402's accuracy and 525 ft (160 m) radial measuring range.

"The B-Probe fills a niche between reflector-based measurements and our high-performance 6DoF (6 degrees of freedom) offering based on the Leica T-Probe and the Absolute Tracker AT901," said Duncan Redgewell, general manager of Hexagon Metrology's Laser Tracker Product Line. "We recognized that many industries manufacturing large-scale assemblies required range, portability and inspection of hidden features, but had only modest accuracy requirements. The B-Probe was designed specifically for these users."

The Leica B-Probe is available immediately at hexmet.us/bprobe and is distributed through Hexagon Metrology's worldwide sales network and resellers. Adding the B-Probe accessory is as simple as adding a reflector to a laser tracker, and any AT402 laser tracker already in use can be upgraded with a B-Probe by the user.