Features abound for Inspection and Measurement Applications for Manufacturers Large and Small

Wixom, MI – February 28, 2007 – Wilcox Associates, Inc. and ROMER, Inc., both Hexagon Metrology companies, today announced the launch of PC-DMIS Portable, the latest software release for measurement and inspection applications utilizing ROMER portable arms. This new version extends the power of PC-DMIS CMM, Wilcox's flagship product, with new functionality for mobile data acquisition and analysis of parts and assemblies right on the shop floor. PC-DMIS software is used worldwide by the aerospace, automotive, heavy machinery, and general engineering industries.

PC-DMIS Portable rounds out the PC-DMIS Enterprise Metrology Solutions (EMS) family of software products for the integration of CAD, manufacturing, and inspection operations into true metrology systems. This suite provides data analysis and robust reporting programs, in addition to support for the most widely-used measurement systems. PC-DMIS Portable is now the standard toolset for ROMER arms.

Features Abound for Portable CMM Applications

            PC-DMIS Portable introduces many new features tailored to the demands of mobile measurement technology professionals. The software's Quick Start user interface gives programmers and operators immediate access to their portable CMM's most frequently used capabilities without overwhelming detail. Yet, for users of both stationary and portable CMMs, the PC-DMIS familiar look and feel is still intact for a fast learning curve and a powerful universal software platform for all metrology programs.

            The new software quickly aligns the most complex parts, and offers a CAD++ configuration full of algorithms for best-fit and iterative alignments. The program supports all major CAD software and data file translators. The software's Direct-CAD interfaces enable a seamless importation of CAD files without the loss of data.

Intelligent, Intuitive Measurement

            The innovative Any-order Measure™ feature enables operators to probe parts in a convenient and efficient order without having to follow the steps of an inspection program. The program keeps track of measured objects and entities, and only evaluates dimensions when all of the necessary information is available. With the click of a button, operators can use their portable arm or probe as a mouse-type pointing device to choose menu items and select geometry. A handy built-in keypad allows the operator to enter data without leaving the machine.

            Another major feature is the software's "guess mode" to classify entity types on-the-fly during data acquisition, which speeds up the measuring process and minimizes user interaction. Besides prompting operators with text and graphics, PC-DMIS Portable provides a combination of dynamic audio and visual cues to guide users throughout the entire measurement process. The system can be configured to produce audio signal of increasing pitch and intensity as the operator approaches a feature of interest, while at the same time zooming in on a graphical representation of the feature.

Special Sheetmetal Features for Automotive Production

            Also available is an optional library of sheetmetal measurement routines designed to meet the requirements of manufacturers of automotive parts. During probing, the software automatically switches between using the probe tip and shank measurement as necessary.

Training and Support

            Software training and technical support programs are available through a nationwide network of Hexagon Metrology precision centers.  Customer support programs via phone are provided by the ROMER Inc. Technical Support department, at 248-449-9464. The official PC-DMIS User Forum is http://www.pcdmisforum.com.

About Wilcox Associates

Wilcox Associates, Inc. is the developer of PC-DMIS software, and Enterprise Metrology Solutions (EMS), an integrated software suite designed for the collection, evaluation, management and presentation of manufacturing data. These products allow manufacturers to quickly capture and verify dimensional data, use the analysis to reduce scrap, improve throughput, and reduce costs.

PC-DMIS is the world leading inspection software for both stationary and portable CMMs (Coordinate Measuring Machines). Founded in 1990, Wilcox Associates is a Hexagon Metrology company serving the global metrology market place. For more information, visit www.wilcoxassoc.com.

About ROMER Inc.

ROMER Inc., a Hexagon Metrology company, markets and manufactures high accuracy 3D coordinate measurement systems for the industrial marketplace. Since 1986, the company has provided innovative and dependable portable metrology solutions for aerospace, automotive, heavy machinery, and general engineering industries. ROMER's corporate headquarters is located at the Hexagon Metrology Precision Center in Wixom, MI. The company provides contract inspection, customer support, technical services and product training at this facility. For more information about ROMER products and services, visit their web site at www.romer.com, call toll-free 800-218-7125. 

About Hexagon Metrology

Hexagon Metrology serves the high precision measurement and inspection needs of Worldwide manufacturers with its extensive line of metrology hardware, software, accessories, and customer services. The company's name-brand portfolio of quality assurance products include Brown & Sharpe, Leica Geosystems, ROMER, Sheffield, PC-DMIS, DEA, Leitz, and TESA. Hexagon Metrology has an unrivaled installed base of more than 1.5 million handheld, stationary and portable measurement devices, and over 30,000 seats of PC-DMIS metrology software. The company is a

subsidiary of Hexagon Measurement Technologies, a business unit of Hexagon AB (Nacka Strand, Sweden), a publicly-traded company (Stockholmsborsen: HEXA B). The Hexagon group consists of  nearly 8,200 employees located in 30 countries. Call 800-426-1066 or visit www.hexagonmetrology.us for more information about Hexagon Metrology Inc. and its trusted brands.