Improved sensing, automation readiness, and plug-and-play upgrades support shop-floor metrology
Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division has upgraded Pulse, its real-time environmental monitoring solution for coordinate measuring machine (CMM) environments, developed to help improve measurement quality and reliability
The latest Pulse hardware and platform upgrades extend sensing beyond the CMM itself, allowing continuous visibility into environmental conditions, including temperature, humidity, vibration, shock, and probe detection, that can impact measurement results. This added insight enables manufacturers to reduce rework, prevent false results, and maintain confidence in inspection outcomes.
Luca Sala, product manager digital solutions, Hexagon, said, “As metrology continues to move closer to production, manufacturers need greater visibility into the environmental conditions that influence measurement reliability. Pulse complements the CMM by extending its sensing capabilities beyond the machine itself, helping customers maintain accuracy, reduce downtime, and operate with greater confidence in real-world production environments.”
In production-adjacent environments, temperature fluctuations, vibration, and unexpected physical events can affect measurement results, often without operators realising, or after it has been unclamped. Shop-floor conditions are inherently dynamic, making it difficult to identify whether deviations are caused by environmental factors or by events requiring corrective action.
With this in mind, the upgraded Pulse introduces hardware and platform enhancements aligned with modern manufacturing and automation trends, including:
- Native integration with automation and factory systems: Via Hexagon’s Metrology Communication Interface (MCI), Pulse data can be exposed and consumed in a centralised, standardised way by PLCs, MES platforms, dashboards, and automation software.
- Enhanced probe deflection awareness: Enables operators to distinguish between general vibration or shock events and probe collisions that may require recalibration, allowing teams to respond accurately while saving time and avoiding unnecessary intervention.
- Expanded interoperability and future readiness: Integration with third-party systems and a modular platform designed to support additional sensors and capabilities over time.
- Broader CMM compatibility: Pulse can be deployed across all Hexagon CMMs and mixed-fleet environments, enabling large manufacturers to standardise environmental monitoring across sites.
The upgraded Pulse will be available for order beginning Monday, March 30, 2026.
