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ShapeGrabber Expected to Accelerate Adoption of Computer-Aided Inspection for New Products and Verification

Low Price, High Performance Turnkey System Designed to Unleash Pent-up Demand

Gloucester -- December 9, 1998 -- Vitana Corporation today announced its new ShapeGrabberTM Computer-Aided Inspection system for Part-to-CAD verification and inspection. The ShapeGrabberTM system addresses the issues of turnkey design and low system price, two of the biggest drivers for the adoption of this emerging inspection process. Market research indicates this new price/performance threshold will enable a new generation of users to realize the compelling benefits of Computer-Aided Inspection.

"Our market research clearly demonstrates a growing need for the detail and quick turnaround times offered by Computer-Aided Inspection," explained Joel Bisson, President of Vitana. "The trends in design complexity, time-to-market, and quality expectations are unrelenting. And yet, the companies that need this system the most, were the ones being held back due to high cost and poor integration. We decided to change all that."

The tightly integrated ShapeGrabberTM design gives everything you need but the part. It includes the scanning head, translation stage, acquisition and inspection software, training, and even the PC. The system was developed based on four guiding principles: speed, accuracy, ease-of-use, and affordability. In particular, the system introduces new technologies to simplify fixturing, to streamline scan alignment, and to reduce noise. The turnkey ShapeGrabber™ system is priced at U.S. $49,900 and is immediately available from Vitana and its network of distributors.

"Speed and accuracy are the key drivers to Computer-Aided Inspection," adds Randy Chaffee, General Manager of On-Site Scanning Services and beta-tester of ShapeGrabberTM. "We can now scan a * million high accuracy data points and produce a detailed 3D inspection report in only one or two hours for a typical part. The ShapeGrabberTM system has redefined the category, as an integrated solution for only $50K. That's 50 to 75% less than comparable multi-vendor solutions. I think they've got a winner here."

About ShapeGrabberTM

ShapeGrabberTM is the first turnkey system targeted for manufacturers that need to rigorously inspect, in 3D, complex parts. Performance is leading edge, highlighted by:

15,360 points per second digitizing with patented laser scanning technology
0.001" (25 micron) measurement accuracy
interchangeable scanning heads for increased scan width and range (at reduced accuracy)
choice of motion platforms for parts of virtually any size
no-fixture scanning and easy-stitch alignment for fast and easy data acquisition
powerful, yet easy-to-use alignment and inspection software

About Computer-Aided Inspection

Part-to-CAD Computer-Aided Inspection is the process of comparing parts and tooling directly to 3D CAD files without the need for dimensional drawings. It is rapidly becoming the process of choice for first article inspection, tooling verification and numerous quality applications involving complex surface geometries.

Free-form surfaces are scanned to produce high density "point clouds", hundreds of thousands or even millions of closely packed 3D data points that entirely capture the 3D shape. The inspection analysis produces a color-coded 3D image of the part and supporting statistical data. Areas in green are within tolerance whereas areas in red and blue represent positive and negative error. Computer-Aided Inspection is enabled by new laser scanning techniques that can acquire thousands of points per second – versus the typical 1-2 points/second of a traditional single point probe – and new sophisticated alignment and analysis software to quickly and accurately manipulate the large data files.

Part-to-Part Computer-Aided Inspection differs in that the primary point cloud is aligned and compared to another point cloud, for applications such as multi-cavity mold comparison, "gold standard" parts, gaging, and wear analysis.

About Vitana Corporation

Founded in 1992, Vitana Corporation designs, manufactures and markets Computer-Aided Inspection equipment for use in first article inspection, quality control, tooling verification and wear analysis. In addition, the company supplies component hardware and software that enable OEMs to include custom laser-based systems into their applications. Initial customers of the ShapeGrabberTM system include the Ford Motor Company, Ontario Hydro, the National Research Council of Canada and On-Site Scanning Services. The company is headquartered in Gloucester, Ontario.

For more information:

Joel Bisson, President
Vitana Corporation
Tel: (613) 247-1211
joel.bisson@vitana.com