Optical coordinate measurement, accurate to microns
The Artec Metrology Kit is a professional photogrammetry system: a portable, DAkkS-certified optical coordinate measuring solution with point-based accuracy of up to 0.002 mm (2 microns). Built for inspection, deformation analysis, and referencing, it delivers metrology-grade volumetric accuracy in the workshop, in climate chambers, and outdoors on site.
The Kit works two ways: as a standalone optical measurement system for high-precision engineering tasks, or as a referencing tool that dramatically improves the accuracy of Artec 3D scanners over distance. With the Metrology Kit plugin, the entire photogrammetry plus 3D scanning workflow runs inside Artec Studio.
Why the Metrology Kit
DAkkS-certified accuracy
A complete 6DoF optical measuring system certified with DAkkS calibration covering the sensor and scale bars, with VDI/VDE 2634 part 1 certification. Length measurement accuracy reaches 0.015 mm + 0.015 mm/m.
Measure anywhere, even in motion
The whole system fits in a rugged transport case. Dynamic referencing lets you measure objects in motion, on a hydraulic ramp, in a climate chamber, or on an offshore platform where a CMM can't go.
Boost your 3D scanner's accuracy
Used as a reference for Artec scanners, the Kit brings volumetric accuracy up to 0.015 mm + 0.015 mm/m: up to 3x better across a one-meter scan and up to 14x across 15 meters compared to scanning alone.
Works with your inspection software
Output integrates with Geomagic Control X, PolyWorks, and other industry-standard metrology platforms, or stays entirely inside Artec Studio with the included plugin.
Entry vs. Professional
The Kit comes in two versions. Entry covers standard engineering measurement; Professional adds a higher-resolution camera, tighter accuracy, and accessories for larger, more complex parts and demanding environments.
| Entry version | Professional version | |
|---|---|---|
| Camera | Canon EOS 6D, 20.2 MP (5472 × 3648) | Canon EOS R, 30.3 MP (6720 × 4480) |
| Point-based accuracy (RMS), up to | 0.004 mm + 0.006 mm/m | 0.002 mm + 0.005 mm/m |
| Length measurement accuracy (MPE), up to | 0.025 mm + 0.025 mm/m | 0.015 mm + 0.015 mm/m |
| Capture speed | Up to 4 images/second | Up to 8 images/second |
| Wireless data transfer | Not supported | Optional |
| Measurement accessories | Targets and scale bars, factory-calibrated scale cross 800 | Separate reference cross and DAkkS-calibrated scale bars (1430 mm and 830 mm) for larger, more complex parts |
| Artec Studio plugin | Included | Included |
How it works
- Prepare the object. Place targets, reference crosses, and scale bars on and around the object so nothing moves relative to it during capture.
- Capture. Photograph the object systematically at different heights, forming a dome of camera positions. Each target is captured at least 6 times, the reference cross from four perpendicular angles.
- Generate the target cloud. Import the images into the Metrology Kit plugin in Artec Studio (or your preferred photogrammetry software), run registration, and generate a high-accuracy reference target cloud.
- Measure or scan. Use the point cloud directly for deformation analysis, flatness inspection, and dimensional measurement, or scan the object with an Artec scanner against the reference cloud for a highly accurate model with minimal accumulated error.
Applications
Inspection: aircraft components, ships, wind turbines, flanges, and fixtures, with the repeatability that high-stakes quality work demands. Deformation analysis: measure geometric change in storage tanks, vehicle components, and prototypes under load, heat, or humidity, where short acquisition time is critical. Referencing for 3D scanning: extend small field-of-view scanners across large objects while holding volumetric accuracy. Sensor positioning: automakers use the Kit in autonomous driving R&D to locate sensors precisely within a vehicle's coordinate system.
Industries
In production automotive quality control, one German manufacturer measures welding stud positions on every fourth chassis directly on the line. Aerospace and space organizations run deformation analysis on satellite antenna panels. Offshore engineering teams fly the Kit by helicopter to inspect flanges at sea, completing full flatness, inclination, and diameter measurement in about an hour. Wind energy, railway construction, and general industry round out the picture: anywhere high-accuracy measurement must travel to the part.
Technical specifications
| Entry | Professional | |
|---|---|---|
| Length measurement accuracy (MPE) | 0.025 mm + 0.025 mm × length diagonal [m] | 0.015 mm + 0.015 mm × length diagonal [m] |
| Point-based accuracy (RMS) | 0.004 mm + 0.006 mm/m | 0.002 mm + 0.005 mm/m |
| Point-based accuracy (3 sigma) | 0.005 mm + 0.009 mm/m | 0.003 mm + 0.007 mm/m |
| Certification | DAkkS certificate for the complete system; optional VDI 2634 part 1 | DAkkS certificate for the complete system; VDI 2634 part 1 certified |
MPE (Maximum Permissible Error) per VDI/VDE 2634 part 1: the maximum permissible deviation of a measured length between two photogrammetric targets anywhere in the measuring volume, regardless of position and orientation.
| Volumetric accuracy, combined with | Entry | Professional |
|---|---|---|
| Artec Leo / Artec Eva | 0.125 mm + 0.025 mm/m | 0.115 mm + 0.015 mm/m |
| Artec Space Spider | 0.075 mm + 0.025 mm/m | 0.065 mm + 0.015 mm/m |
| Entry | Professional | |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor unit | Canon EOS 6D | Canon EOS R |
| Lens | 28 mm AICON metric wide-angle | 28 mm AICON metric wide-angle |
| Resolution | 20.2 MP (5472 × 3648) | 30.3 MP (6720 × 4480) |
| Field of view | 65 × 46° | 65 × 46° |
| Illumination | White-light flash | White-light flash |
| Speed, up to | 4 images/second | 8 images/second |
| Wireless data transfer | Not supported | Optional |
| Power | Li-ion battery | Li-ion battery |
| Entry | Professional | |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor weight | 1.4 kg (3 lbs) | 1.7 kg (3.7 lbs) |
| Transport case weight, with system | Approx. 7.7 kg (17 lbs) | Approx. 12 kg (26.5 lbs) |
| Case dimensions | 870 × 230 × 170 mm | 520 × 430 × 250 mm |
| Storage | Robust case | Robust case with trolley |
| Operating temperature | +5 to +45 °C (41 to 113 °F) | +5 to +45 °C (41 to 113 °F) |
| Conformity | CE, RoHS | CE, RoHS |
Buy from a Gold-Certified Artec Reseller
3DMakerWorld is a Gold-Certified Artec 3D reseller with US-based support and offices in Naperville, IL and Lenexa, KS. We run Artec equipment daily in our own scanning service bureau and can show you exactly how the Metrology Kit pairs with the Leo, Spider II, and other Artec scanners you may already own.
See it live in our office, at your site, or in a virtual demo on your own parts. Contact us at sales@3dmakerworld.com or use the form below.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Artec Metrology Kit used for?
It is an optical coordinate measuring system used for inspection (roundness, sheet metal, fixtures), analysis (deformation, tolerance, 3D process analysis), and referencing for other measurement systems. It also handles part alignment, CAD comparison, and general high-accuracy optical measurement.
What is the difference between the Entry and Professional versions?
Professional uses a 30.3 MP Canon EOS R (vs. 20.2 MP EOS 6D), reaches 0.002 mm point-based accuracy (vs. 0.004 mm), captures twice as fast, offers optional wireless transfer, and includes a separate reference cross plus DAkkS-calibrated scale bars for larger, more complex parts. Entry covers standard engineering measurement at a lower investment.
Can the Metrology Kit replace a metrology-grade 3D scanner?
Not directly. The Kit measures target positions with extreme accuracy over distance but does not produce dense surface data the way a 3D scanner does. Many customers use both: the Kit provides the accurate reference frame, and a scanner like the Leo or Spider II fills in dense geometry against it.
What is the general workflow?
Prepare the object with targets, reference crosses, and scale bars; capture images systematically around the object; process the images to calculate 3D coordinates and generate a point cloud; then use that cloud for measurement, analysis, or as a reference for 3D scanning.
Which software does it work with?
The included Metrology Kit plugin runs the full workflow inside Artec Studio. Results are also compatible with industry-leading platforms including Geomagic Control X and PolyWorks|Inspector, both available from 3DMakerWorld.
Can I adjust the camera settings?
The Kit ships with focus, aperture, ISO, flash sensitivity, and exposure preconfigured, and the system is calibrated against those settings. Artec recommends leaving the factory settings in place, since changes can affect measurement accuracy.