In the world of 3D scanning, accuracy and resolution are paramount, but mobility and efficiency are equally critical for seamless workflows. Kreon technologies, a leader in metrology solutions, offers cutting-edge 3D scanning arms that combine precision, portability, and versatility. Whether you’re reverse-engineering a legacy part or ensuring quality control on a production line, Kreon’s solutions empower industries from automotive to medical device manufacturing with reliable, high-quality data. In this blog, we’ll explore Kreon’s innovative 3D scanning arms, their key features, and how they deliver unmatched flexibility for your digitization needs. If at any point you want to learn more and expand your toolbox with a Kreon 3D scanner, feel free to contact us here at Digital Scan 3D.
Who is Kreon Technologies?
Kreon Technologies is a French innovator with over 30 years of expertise. Kreon is one of the first companies to use blue laser scanners, boosting accuracy and reducing noise. Kreon has found a place among other metrology giants like FARO and Hexagon. Their products, certified to ISO 10360-08 (scanners) and ISO 10360-12 (arms), meet rigorous metrology standards, ensuring confidence in every measurement. Used across industries like aerospace, automotive, and medical, Kreon’s ergonomic and versatile tools streamline complex workflows, from reverse engineering to quality inspections.
Kreon’s Metrology Solutions
Kreon’s portfolio includes advanced measuring arms, 3D scanners, and software, all designed to tackle diverse metrology challenges. Whether you need to scan intricate surfaces or probe tight tolerances, Kreon offers tailored solutions for any environment—outdoors, on the factory floor, or in a metrology lab.
Measuring Arms
Kreon’s measuring arms are lightweight, portable, and built for precision, with carbon-fiber construction and wireless connectivity (Bluetooth and Wi-Fi) for maximum flexibility. Their two currently offered arms are the following:
- Onyx Measuring Arm:
The latest in Kreon’s lineup, the Onyx sets a new standard for accuracy with high-resolution encoders and a rigid, carbon-fiber structure. Certified to ISO 10360-12, it achieves probing accuracy up to 0.024 mm and scanning accuracy up to 0.038 mm with the Skyline Eyes scanner. Its hot-swappable battery ensures uninterrupted fieldwork, while the EasyClip handle allows access to confined spaces. A built-in status screen displays battery life and diagnostics, helping detect potential anomalies. The Onyx’s ergonomic design and self-supporting system minimize user fatigue, making it ideal for extended use in demanding environments. - Ace/Ace+ Measuring Arm:
The Ace and Ace+ models offer robust performance for most metrology tasks. While slightly less accurate than the Onyx, they remain ISO-compliant and versatile, with carbon-fiber construction and wireless capabilities. The Ace+ model uses the latest encoder technology and uses an advanced calibration for enhanced precision, making it a cost-effective choice for quality control and reverse engineering.
End effectors: Scanners and Probes
Kreon’s 3D scanning arms are designed for seamless transitions between probing and scanning, with probes attachable directly to scanners for efficiency. This flexibility supports hybrid workflows, combining contact and non-contact measurements.
- Probes
Each Kreon measuring arm comes with a 6 mm hard-touch probes for precise dimensional measurements, with additional adapters and custom probe types available. Probes excel at capturing geometric features like holes or edges, complementing scanner data for comprehensive inspections. - 3D Scanners
Kreon’s blue-laser scanners capture challenging surfaces (e.g., glossy, metallic, or carbon) without targets or matting spray, saving time. The Skyline series, integrated with Kreon arms, and the Zephyr series, for CMMs, cater to varied needs:- Skyline Scanners:
Kreon’s “Eyes Wide Open” philosophy drives the Skyline lineup, balancing accuracy, speed, and field of view:- Skyline Eyes:
Prioritizes deep penetration and high accuracy (up to 0.038 mm), ideal for small, detailed parts or deep cavities like engravings or threads.
- Skyline Wide:
Offers a wider laser line for faster scanning of large surfaces, sacrificing minor accuracy for speed. Perfect for automotive panels or aerospace components.
- Skyline Open:
A budget-friendly option with balanced accuracy and speed, suitable for general-purpose scanning.
- Skyline XtraWide:
Features a market-leading 300 mm laser line and 300 Hz acquisition frequency, maximizing efficiency for large parts at the cost of peak accuracy.
- Skyline Eyes:
- Zephyr III:
Designed for CMMs, the Zephyr III delivers 5 µm accuracy (±2σ) and 15 µm resolution, ideal for digitizing small, complex geometries. Its 300 mm, 150 mm, or 50 mm laser lines ensure versatility for lab-based inspections.
- Skyline Scanners:
Software: Zenith and Beyond
- Zenith:
Kreon’s Zenith software is a free, metrology-grade platform included with every product. It simplifies data acquisition, processing, and analysis, offering tools for GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing), color mapping, and reporting. Zenith handles dense point clouds effortlessly. The captured point clouds can be used in quality control or further processed for reverse engineering outside of Zenith. - Plugin Support:
Kreon provides plugins for seamless integration with industry-standard software like PolyWorks, Geomagic Design X, and Metrolog X4. These integrations allow users to scan directly into familiar tools, streamlining reverse engineering, CAD comparison, and inspection processes.
Highlights of Kreon Metrology Solutions
Kreon’s 3D scanning arms stand out for their precision, flexibility, and user-centric design, addressing common metrology challenges:
- Unmatched Accuracy:
The Onyx arm with Skyline Eyes achieves 0.038 mm scanning accuracy and 0.024 mm probing accuracy, certified to ISO standards, ensuring reliable data for reverse engineering and quality control. - Seamless Scanning and Probing:
Switch effortlessly between 3D scanning and probing, even on challenging surfaces like glossy black or carbon fiber, without additional preparation. - Portability and Mobility:
Lightweight, wireless, and equipped with hot-swappable batteries, Kreon arms excel in diverse settings—factories, labs, or outdoor sites. - Ergonomic Design:
Carbon-fiber construction and features like the EasyClip handle reduce fatigue and enhance access to tight spaces, boosting productivity. - Software Integration:
Plugins for PolyWorks and Geomagic Design X ensure compatibility with existing workflows, minimizing training and maximizing efficiency.
Applications of the Kreon 3D Scanner Arm
Kreon’s solutions empower industries to tackle complex metrology tasks with precision and efficiency:
- Reverse Engineering:
Kreon arms are frequently used in reverse engineering applications by creating precise 3D scans for engineers to start from. For example, automotive engineers use a Kreon Skyline 3D scanner to digitize complex rims into mesh data, where further work can be done to create CAD geometry in either organic, hybrid, or prismatic modeling methods, with outputs in STEP or IGES formats for CAD software like SolidWorks. This ensures DFM-compliant designs for manufacturing. - Quality Control and Inspections:
In aerospace, Kreon’s Onyx arm with Zenith software performs CAD comparisons and GD&T analysis, identifying deviations in organic parts like turbine blades. The Accuracy Analyzer in PolyWorks generates heatmaps to verify tolerances, reducing waste and ensuring compliance.
Conclusion – Why Choose Kreon
Kreon Technologies bridges performance and value, offering industry-leading accuracy at a competitive price. Their blue-laser scanners, ergonomic arms, and intuitive software empower metrologists to tackle evolving demands, from tightening tolerances to complex geometries. Recent reviews highlight Kreon’s impact: users praise the Onyx arm’s reliability during week-long projects and the Skyline scanners’ time savings on reflective surfaces, boosting productivity and profitability.
As metrology requirements grow stricter, Kreon’s commitment to innovation—evidenced by their early adoption to blue light lasers and their recent 2022 Onyx launch coupled with ongoing R&D—positions it as a leader in 3D scanning solutions. Whether you’re modernizing legacy equipment or optimizing production, Kreon delivers the tools to succeed. Ready to elevate your metrology workflow? Here at Digital Scan 3D, we specialize in tailoring Kreon’s 3D scanning solutions to your unique needs. From selecting the right Onyx or Ace+ arm to integrating with software like Geomagic Design X, our experts provide end-to-end support, including training and technical assistance. Contact us today to explore how Kreon’s precision and flexibility can transform your reverse engineering, quality control, or manufacturing processes. Let’s shape the future of metrology together!