A Look at HandyPROBE Next — Creaform’s New Portable CMM

Andrew Wheeler posted 2016-04-29

Creaform recently announced the release of HandyPROBE Next, a new portable coordinate measuring machine (CMM) for optical-based part inspection.

The HandyPROBE is meant to inspect parts no matter the environmental instabilities. (Image courtesy of Creaform.)

HandyPROBE Next Quick Features

Better volumetric accuracy, ASME B89.4.22 compliant

TRUaccuracy technology employed to measure within .064 mm (.0025 in.)

Instant measurement

Wireless probe powers the instant capture of coordinates without constraining or needlessly complicating measurement setup

Extendable measurement volume

Easily extended without annoying leapfrogging


“Manufacturers are under increasing pressure to integrate more rigorous quality control operations into their production processes, while still maintaining the same efficiency,” said Daniel Brown, senior product manager at Creaform. 

Quality and efficiency are top priorities in manufacturing, so any handheld CMM needs to be streamlined, which is what Creaform would like you to think about the HandyProbe CMM.  It has no articulated arms, it’s not a fixed CMM and appears to be an honest attempt to create a tool to reduce production part approval delays.  An accurate, portable and manageable tool will help quality experts detect fabrication shortcomings.  

Portability means efficiency on the production floor. (Image courtesy of Creaform.)

HandyPROBE Next In-Depth

In its announcement, Creaform indicates that the HandyPROBE Next portable CMM “provides measurement accuracy that is insensitive to the instabilities of any environment.”

Without using one, I couldn’t tell you whether or not that’s true.  But I am intrigued by its supposed unique ability to perform real-time dynamic referencing of its scanning and probing devices.

Creaform also states that the HandyPROBE Next can duplicate this function on targets of the object of inspection. Depending on what parts, components or products you’re inspecting, you can move the C-Track optical tracker and wireless probe at any point during the measurement sequence and still capture high-quality data.

If you’re a shop-floor operator and a Creaform fan or user, you may find yourself wanting to integrate some type of scanning capability with your inspection sequence.  Not a bad idea to capture as-built data for storage as 3D models. 

For more information, visit the Creaform website.