Laser trackers are advanced measurement devices that use
laser technology to accurately measure and track the movement and position of
objects in three-dimensional space. They have revolutionized the way industries
such as aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing measure and inspect
large-scale objects, making it possible to achieve unprecedented levels of
precision and accuracy.
The laser tracker operates by emitting a laser beam that is
reflected back to the tracker by a retroreflector mounted on the object being
measured. The tracker then calculates the distance between the tracker and the
object based on the time it takes for the laser to travel and return. The
tracker can also calculate the angle between the laser and the object, allowing
it to accurately track the object's movement and position.
One of the most significant advantages of the laser tracker
is its ability to measure large objects with extreme accuracy. Traditional
measurement methods, such as tape measures and rulers, are prone to errors and
are limited in their scope. In contrast, laser trackers can measure objects up
to several meters in size, with a precision of up to a few micrometers.
Another advantage of the laser tracker is its ability to
measure objects in real-time. This is particularly useful in industries where
objects are constantly moving, such as in the aerospace and automotive industries.
The laser tracker can track the movement of an object in real-time, making it
possible to make adjustments and corrections to ensure that the object is
manufactured or assembled to the required specifications.
Laser trackers have also revolutionized the inspection
process. In the past, inspecting large objects required disassembling them and
inspecting each component separately, which was time-consuming and costly. With
the laser tracker, the object can be inspected in its entirety, allowing for faster
and more efficient inspections.
The laser tracker market has seen significant developments
in recent years, driven by advancements in technology and increasing demand for
accurate measurements in various industries. One of the major trends in the
market is the adoption of Industry 4.0 or smart manufacturing technologies
across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific, which is likely to escalate the
demand for laser trackers in calibration applications. This is due to the fact
that calibration increases reliability on the production line and the
production line can operate more efficiently if existing machines are connected
through automated processes.
Another trend in the laser tracker market is the increasing
use of laser trackers in the aerospace and defense industry. The aerospace
industry has been an early adopter of laser tracker technology and is one of
the largest users of laser trackers today. Laser trackers are recognized in the
aerospace industry for their easy portability, simple design, and ability to
achieve extremely high accuracy levels. The demand for this technology is
constantly increasing owing to the increasing awareness in many industry
players regarding the benefits of integrating laser trackers into their
processes, which include enhanced accuracy, real-time data acquisition, non-contact
error mapping, and so on.
In addition to these trends, the market for laser tracker
services is also expected to grow significantly in the coming years.
Manufacturing companies are outsourcing their measurement and inspection tasks
to laser tracking service providers because they can collect a large volume of
data within a short period, leading to reduced inspection time, high accuracy
measurements, and stability in processes. These factors are driving the growth
of the services segment of the laser tracker market.
The laser tracker market is also witnessing a shift towards
miniaturization, with manufacturers developing compact and portable laser
trackers that are more user-friendly and easier to transport. This is
especially important for industries that require on-site measurements in
challenging environments.
Overall, the laser tracker market is expected to continue
its growth trajectory in the coming years, driven by increasing demand for
accurate measurements in various industries and advancements in technology.
laser trackers are advanced measurement devices that have revolutionized the
way industries measure and inspect large-scale objects. With their ability to
measure large objects with extreme accuracy, track the movement of objects in
real-time, and revolutionize the inspection process, they have become an
indispensable tool for industries such as aerospace, automotive, and
manufacturing.
Market Dynamics of Laser Tracker Market
Drivers: Laser Trackers'
Precision, Portability, and Accuracy
The growth of the laser tracker market is largely driven by
the high level of precision, portability, and accuracy offered by these
devices. With an internal battery, laser trackers offer extreme precision over long
distances and can operate in demanding environments without sacrificing
accuracy. Modern-day laser trackers are portable and can deliver a high level
of accuracy within a reasonable measurement range. Additionally, these systems
are powered by Wi-Fi connectivity, facilitating seamless communication between
sensors and the exchange of data.
Restraint:
Availability of Substitutes such as Laser Radars
The availability of substitutes, such as laser radars, is a
major restraint in the laser tracker market. Companies are expanding their
presence in large-volume metrology applications by launching new versions and
updated laser radar products. For example, API recently launched the DYNAMIC 9D
LADAR, an innovative laser detection and ranging system that captures both
dimensional and surface geometry data.
Opportunities in
Laser Tracker Market
The laser tracker market presents opportunities for growth
through the increasing adoption of cloud computing. Several companies operating
in this market have begun offering cloud-based solutions to analyze and process
data gathered by laser trackers. Hexagon's Manufacturing Intelligence division,
for instance, provides HxGN SFx | Asset Management, a cloud-ready software
solution that allows manufacturers to access real-time machine status and
utilization reporting, enabling them to achieve operational excellence.
The market's growth will also be propelled by the growing
number of advancements in distance measurement technology, improvements in
processing speed, and increasing demand for three-dimensional measurement
solutions in various industries such as defence, aerospace, automotive, and
power generation. Moreover, the automation of robotic systems, growing usage of
laser trackers for assembly of large components, and increasing number of
automotive and aviation manufacturers, along with the growing demand for
research and development activities in 3D measurement techniques, will further
generate opportunities for growth in the laser tracker market.
However, the laser tracker market also faces challenges,
such as addressing alignment errors due to manufacturing tolerances and
design-related constraints. Laser trackers come in different configurations and
designs to meet diverse applications, such as quality inspection, tooling, and
alignment, in various industries. Hence, it is vital for manufacturers to address
these challenges and improve the accuracy and precision of laser trackers to
meet the evolving demands of the market.
The services segment of the laser tracker market is expected
to witness the highest growth rate in given forecast period. Manufacturing
companies are increasingly outsourcing their measurement and inspection tasks
to laser tracking service providers due to the benefits they offer. The laser
tracker technology enables them to collect a large volume of data quickly,
which reduces inspection time and leads to high accuracy measurements, ensuring
stability in processes. These factors are expected to drive the growth of the
services segment in the laser tracker market.
The laser tracker market for calibration applications is
expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period The adoption of
Industry 4.0 or smart manufacturing technologies across North America, Europe,
and Asia Pacific is likely to increase the demand for laser trackers in
calibration applications. Calibration improves reliability on the production
line, and connecting existing machines through automated processes can increase
the production line's efficiency.
The aerospace and defense industry is one of the largest
users of laser tracker technology, and it is expected to hold the
second-largest share in the laser tracker market during the forecast period.
Laser trackers are preferred in the aerospace industry due to their
portability, simplicity in design, and ability to achieve high accuracy levels.
The demand for laser trackers in the aerospace industry is increasing as more
industry players become aware of the benefits of integrating laser trackers
into their processes, including enhanced accuracy, real-time data acquisition,
and non-contact error mapping.
During the forecast period, the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region
is expected to register the highest CAGR in the laser tracker market, with
China and India being the key contributors to the growth. China is a major
global manufacturing hub for industries such as electronics, semiconductors,
automotive, and consumer goods, offering enormous growth potential for laser
tracker market players. Additionally, India's automotive industry is the
fourth-largest in the world and is expected to be the world's third-largest in
terms of volume by 2030, with significant growth potential for laser trackers
in quality control, inspection, reverse engineering, calibration, and alignment
applications. The increasing growth of the aerospace and automotive sectors,
coupled with the rising usage of laser trackers in various applications such as
reverse engineering and tool building, is expected to drive market growth in
the region.
However, in Europe, the laser tracker market is expected to
dominate due to its increasing use in processing control for maintenance of
safety and quality standards. The report provides insights into individual
market impacting factors and changes in regulations, which can affect the
current and future trends of the market in each country. The report also
considers data points like downstream and upstream value chain analysis,
technical trends, Porter's five forces analysis, and case studies to forecast
the market scenario for individual countries. The impact of domestic tariffs,
trade routes, and the presence of global brands and their challenges faced due
to competition from local and domestic brands are also considered while
providing forecast analysis of the country data.
Dominating Companies in Laser Tracker Market
- HEXAGON AB
- FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
- AUTOMATED PRECISION, INC.
- SGS
- HUBBS MACHINE & MANUFACTURING INC.
- MITUTOYO CORPORATION
- VMT GMBH
- ON-TRAK PHOTONICS, INC.
- CHOTEST TECHNOLOGY INC.
- INNOVMETRIC SOFTWARE INC.
- 3D SYSTEMS, INC.
- VERISURF SOFTWARE, INC.
- METROLOGIC GROUP
- VARIATION REDUCTION SOLUTIONS, INC.
- BRUNSON INSTRUMENT COMPANY
- MACTECH ONSITE FIELD MACHINING SOLUTIONS
- EAST COAST METROLOGY, LLC
- ADVANCED DIMENSIONAL SOLUTIONS PTY LTD
- HIWE SQS
- DIVERSE DIMENSIONS
- MANCHESTER METROLOGY LIMITED
- PLX INC
- OASIS ALIGNMENT SERVICES
- 3D ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS
- SCHAEFFER PRECISION ALIGNMENT, INC.
- LEISTERTECH
- AURUM 3D
- NEBULA3D SERVICES
Recent Developments in Laser Tracker Market
In 2021, Hexagon AB, a leading provider of sensor, software,
and autonomous solutions, acquired D.P. Technology Corp., a leading developer
of computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software. The acquisition is expected to
enhance Hexagon's smart manufacturing capabilities and strengthen its position
in the aerospace, automotive, medical, and electronics industries, among
others.
In 2020, FARO Technologies, a global leader in 3D
measurement and imaging solutions, acquired ATS AB, a Sweden-based provider of
smart factory solutions. The acquisition is expected to enable FARO to provide
end-to-end solutions for factory automation and Industry 4.0 initiatives,
leveraging ATS's expertise in automation and digitalization.
In 2019, API, a global leader in laser-based metrology
solutions, acquired Exact Laser Measurements, a leading provider of portable
metrology services. The acquisition is expected to enhance API's service
capabilities and expand its reach in the North American market.
In 2018, Hexagon AB acquired Spring Technologies, a
France-based provider of software solutions for optimizing the machining
workflow. The acquisition is expected to enhance Hexagon's smart manufacturing
capabilities and strengthen its position in the aerospace, automotive, and
industrial equipment industries, among others.
In 2021, FARO Technologies and STORMBEE announced a
strategic partnership to offer advanced airborne 3D scanning solutions for
capturing data in challenging environments. The partnership combines FARO's
expertise in 3D laser scanning and STORMBEE's expertise in drone technology to
provide high-accuracy, high-resolution 3D scanning capabilities for a range of
industries, including construction, mining, and infrastructure.
In 2020, Hexagon AB acquired PAS Technology, a UK-based
provider of software solutions for non-destructive testing (NDT) and quality
assurance. The acquisition is expected to enhance Hexagon's capabilities in NDT
and expand its reach in the aerospace, oil and gas, and energy industries.
In 2019, FARO Technologies acquired Advanced Technical
Solutions in Scandinavia AB (ATS), a Sweden-based provider of 3D scanning and
measurement services. The acquisition is expected to enhance FARO's service
capabilities in Northern Europe and strengthen its position as a leader in 3D
metrology solutions.
In 2019, API and Mitutoyo Corporation, a Japan-based
provider of precision measurement equipment, announced a partnership to offer
advanced laser-based measurement solutions for the automotive industry. The
partnership combines API's expertise in laser-based metrology with Mitutoyo's
expertise in conventional measurement to provide comprehensive measurement
solutions for automotive manufacturers and suppliers.
1.
Research Sources
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detailed and related research methodology focussed on estimating the market
size and forecasted value for the given market. Comprehensive research
objectives and scope were obtained through secondary research of the parent and
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segments and sub-segments.
Research Methodology

1.1. Secondary Research
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