Optimized 3D metrology for Single Craft and Productionized Satellites

Satellites & Inhabited Spacecraft

Optimized 3D metrology for single spacecraft and productionized satellites

Satellites and inhabited spacecraft, orbital and suborbital, have traditionally been manufactured as one-offs or in short series production. ZEISS’s ATOS products, including their ability to produce precise digital twins, are ideally suited to low-volume throughput, short production runs and the assembly of individual spacecraft. One-off satellite and spacecraft manufacture, digitally inspected and recorded, is more easily repeatable and quickly adaptable to higher throughput volumes. In addition, the quality of additive manufacturing for complex parts and essential small or single-batch set ups, is not only facilitated through digital twinning, but also subject to precise 3D inspection.

Creating a unique digital copy of every craft

Creating a unique digital copy of every spacecraft

Satellite components are manufactured to fine tolerances, but hand assembly means small variations in every finished subassembly and complete spacecraft. 3D optical metrology checks tolerances and creates a digital copy of every individual spacecraft for subsequent post-launch analysis in the case of a fault, for comparison with future builds and product evolution.

Accuracy and consistency in productionized manufacturing

Modern, smaller satellites are being productionized for long manufacturing runs. Here, accurate coordinate measurements are essential to achieving consistency, fault diagnosis and product evolution, as new materials replace old in component manufacturing. In this demanding environment, traditional contact CMMs are unable to support rapid, thorough measurement plans of complex assemblies, like satellites, while providing a full point cloud of the structure for future re-analysis.

The solution

The ATOS ScanBox series is perfectly suited for the task, offering CMM-grade measurements while mapping the surface details of the structures with high resolution. Thorough component and complete satellite and inhabited spacecraft testing are equally critical during R&D and pre-launch activities. The ARAMIS 3D tracking system completes the toolbox of modern R&D labs with a non-contact optical tracking solution, capable of measuring precise 3D displacements and calculating local strain on materials for failure and finite element analysis (FEA) validation.

ATOS ScanBox Series 6 + ATOS 5

The ATOS ScanBox Series 6 equipped with the powerful ATOS 5 is the answer to measuring large aerostructures efficiently and accurately. This automated piece of metrology performs complete analysis measurements on large volume parts (up to 3,5 m) while the ATOS 5 visualizes hidden errors by capturing high-precision data in rapid time.

The cinematic concept of the ATOS ScanBox 6 Series allows high flexibility in positioning the ATOS 5 thanks to its 7 degrees of freedom. The ATOS 5 has a powerful built-in light source that captures high-precision data with 0.2 seconds per scan and 100 frames per second. Thanks to its industry-leading camera sensors and projection technology, the ATOS 5 requires fewer individual scans and thus accelerates the entire measuring procedure.

Learn more

For Manufacturing
- Automated, operator-independent inspection
- High resolution and high throughput metrology-grade measurements
For MRO
- NDT (and non-contact) inspection
- Building Digital Twin for smarter maintenance
For Research & Development
- Design validation
- Rapid turn around of evaluations

The trusted testing solution, turning data into profitable insights

ARAMIS hardware & software

ARAMIS is ZEISS´s upgrade from strain gauges and displacement sensors; a stereoscopic 3D optical sensor capable of measuring 3D strains and displacements. ZEISS´s software suite can rapidly analyse test data for easy validation of structural simulations, providing a quicker process with less testing iterations.The results enable users to review and improve simulation parameters, as well as optimize current and future design processes. Therefore they can reduce the number of costly test runs and consequently speed up product development. At the same time, the results show insights into safety risks, part durability, as well as creep and aging processes. This increases not only the safety, but also the lifetime of products.

Flexible Systems

Physical capabilities to capture complex geometries
Real-Time Inspection

Instant measurement of deformations and strain
Faster, Relevant Data

Rapid data capture outpaces standard contact sensors
Optimized Setup

Accelerated test setup with comprehensive software

Contact us

Would you like to learn more about our solutions for industries? We are happy to provide more information or a demo.

ZEISS Academy Metrology

Your individual metrology training

#measuringhero

Join the community - get insights into exciting topics all around metrology and helpful tips and tricks for your measurement tasks.

Success Stories

Find specific success stories and further topics for your industry

Do you need more information?

Get in touch with us. Our experts will get back to you.

Form is loading...

Next Step:

Interest Inquiry
Personal Details
Company Details

If you want to have more information on data processing at ZEISS please refer to our data privacy notice.

Satellites & Inhabited Spacecraft

Optimized 3D metrology for single spacecraft and productionized satellites

Creating a unique digital copy of every spacecraft

Accuracy and consistency in productionized manufacturing

The solution

ATOS ScanBox Series 6 + ATOS 5

ATOS solutions provide

For Manufacturing

For MRO

For Research & Development

The trusted testing solution, turning data into profitable insights

ARAMIS hardware & software

ARAMIS solutions provide

Flexible Systems

Real-Time Inspection

Faster, Relevant Data

Optimized Setup