Measurement and inspection systems that meet global standards

FARO designs and develops portable, computerised measurement devices and software used for inspection and measurement. The FARO family of premium, portable measurement and imaging solutions encompasses point-topoint contact instruments, non-contact imaging scanners, and computer-aided measurement software.

The company’s products are used widely in various applications in many industries — including automotive, aerospace, heavy machinery, die and mould, shipbuilding, architecture, heritage, forensic, plant management, and mining. Some of the benefts offered include portability, accuracy, reliability and user-friendliness. International Plastics News for Asia (IRNA) talked to BC Quah, Head of Marketing of FARO Asia Pacifc on the company’s latest products and how these would enable companies to improve their operations.

IRNA: How would you describe FARO’s latest products and their key features?

Mr. Quah: We have been supplying various types of products that are aimed at enhancing the operations of our customers. For instance , the FARO. Edge ScanArm ES – a latest member of the best-selling FaroArm. product line – can easily perform tasks such as inspection of parts and reverse engineering, providing accurate and precise measurements for manufacturing and quality control.

Where large objects are concerned, the FARO. Laser Tracker Vantage extends the reach of measurement for similar tasks. Other applications such as alignment and installation of machines can also be executed with ease by the Vantage.

Last but not least, the FARO Laser Scanner Focus3DX 330 caters to a special group of users that need to capture accurate three-dimensional (3D) geometry and images of real objects into an informational model. The Focus3DX 330 is capable of acquiring large volumes of data athigh speeds, creating high-fidelity virtual copies of reality in millimetre-accuracy in a short time. Its list of applications include building documentation and inspection of facades for architecture and civil engineering industries; dimensional inspections of large complex components, rapid prototyping, and reverse engineering of  products for aerospace, metalworking, shipbuilding, as well as oil and gas industries; creation of 3D virtual reality for the film and gaming industries; documentation and recreation of crime scenes for forensic scientists.

IRNA: How extensive is FARO’s production sales and R&D capabilities?

Mr. Quah: FARO has a global presence with employees throughout the world. There are three Regional Headquarters — one for the United States located in Florida, one for Europe located in Stuttgart,Germany, and one for the Asia-Pacific region located in Singapore. Design and development of FARO products occurs at corporate headquarters; sales and distribution take place internationally.

IRNA: How does FARO meet global standards in terms of product quality? What aspects of operations have been enhanced to meet this goal?

Mr. Quah: FARO Technologies is ISO-9001 certified and ISO-17025 laboratory registered. ISO-9001 is the process control standards used to ensure consistency in the quality system of the company, and ISO-17025 is the main standard used by testing and calibration laboratories.