Metris Announces the Launch of ModelMaker D; Handheld Laser Scanner Featuring True Digital Camera Technology.

LEUVEN, Belgium -- Metris announces the launch of ModelMaker D, the latest in handheld laser scanning featuring true digital camera technology. The revolutionary digital camera technology significantly increases the system performance and productivity. Metris is presenting the ModelMaker D in premiere during the Control Show (Sinsheim), Germany, May 9-12, 2006.

ModelMaker D is the highest performing hand-held laser scanner on the market and its revolutionary digital technology provides several radical improvements over competing laser stripe scanners. Olivier Georis, Chief Technology Officer at Metris explains, "We asked our customers to identify precisely what they wanted from a hand-held laser scanner. The consensus was: higher productivity, the ability to scan a wider range of surfaces and finally a system that is easy to use and install. The ModelMaker D delivers all this and more."

Higher productivity

Through its increased stripe length, point resolution and stripe frequency the ModelMaker D provides vast improvements in productivity to the user. To manage this significantly increased data volume Metris has also developed an innovative new feature called Intelligent Patch Generation (IPG) to preserve features, edges and 3D geometry while processing scan data in real time.

Ability to scan a wider range of surfaces

Because of differences in color, shape, and reflectivity some surfaces are naturally more difficult to scan. For any optical scanning system, where a change in any of these surface characteristics is experienced optical settings need adjustments to ensure the optimum scan of that surface. The introduction of the ESP (Enhanced Sensor Performance) functionality in 2004 enabled the ModelMaker scanners to track the changes in surface conditions - shape, color, reflectivity - between successive scan stripes, and adjust the sensor settings accordingly in real-time. This ability, unique in its kind, ensures the maximum performance of the sensor at all times. Through the advancements in the ModelMaker D hardware and software these functions have now been taken to the next level. The updated 'ESP' not only provides automatic real-time adjustment of the sensor's settings in between successive stripes, but also for every single point in the stripe. For the user this means vast improvements in ability to scan non-ideal surfaces.

Streamlined setup and operation

The ModelMaker D benefits from Ethernet 'plug and play' functionality, connecting directly to the computer with one cable carrying all sensor data, trigger data and power. Unlike the majority of other scanning systems, ModelMaker D does not have a control box, thus reducing the number of components, increasing portability and ease of set-up.

Revolutionary Twin-Pod design

The aesthetic design of the ModelMaker D stems from the need to satisfy customers' constant demands for increased accuracy and productivity. Metris' revolutionary twin-pod design has enabled the separation between the camera and laser to be increased, improving data quality whilst maintaining a small sensor feel.

ModelMaker scanners are supplied with KUBE software, making them the only laser stripe scanner fully integrated into their own dedicated data capture and processing software for surface inspection and reverse engineering.

ModelMaker D is covered by patents pending worldwide.

About Metris

Metris design, develop and market a unique range of 3D hardware and software inspection systems for the automotive and aerospace sectors. The company offers world-class metrology solutions for both design and manufacturing communities. The comprehensive product family covers the full range of measurement volumes required by customers, in both fixed and portable configurations and with optical and touch sensors.

Metris provides best-in-class precision equipment and metrology solutions for classical CMM measurements featuring bridge and horizontal arm CMMs.

Metris is the market leader for CMM-based laser inspection, with the Metris LC and XC laser scanners offering full surface and feature measurement.

Metris Optical CMMs are portable, hand-held coordinate measuring machines, with a proven track record in engineering, pre-production, and quality control applications. Optical CMMs can also be used in dynamic testing and robot calibration applications.

Metris Handheld 3D Scanners are the best-in-class articulated arm scanners for inspection and reverse engineering.

The Metris Laser Radar is the top solution available to the manufacturing industry that provides a fully automated, non-contact measurement and inspection capability for large-volume applications of up to 60 meters.

The Metris infrared GPS is a modular, large volume tracking system enabling factory-wide localization of multiple objects with metrology accuracy, applicable in manufacturing and assembly.

Metris completes its product portfolio with a full range of complementary software solutions for inspection and reverse engineering applications.

The Metris Headquarters are based in Leuven (Belgium) with additional production and development centers in UK (Derby, London) US (California, Detroit, Virginia), China, Russia and Bulgaria. Metris provides a worldwide network of sales and support offices located in Europe, Asia, and the United States.