Industry: Agriculture
Founded in 1883, Amazone has over 140 years of experience developing agricultural machinery that blends tradition with cutting-edge technology. As a family-owned company based in Germany, Amazone is a global leader in agricultural equipment, recognized for its commitment to innovation and quality.
A dedicated team ensures that Amazone’s machinery meets and exceeds the evolving demands of modern agriculture. “Amazone is known for designing high-quality solutions,” explains Stefan Albrecht, metrologist at Amazone. “At our Leipzig plant, we focus on passive tillage, incorporating modern and cost-effective agricultural methods into our machinery to support our customers’ operational success and growth.”
Challenges with Conventional 3D Measurement Technologies
For over ten years, Amazone’s quality assurance team has relied on 3D measurement technology to inspect in-house and externally manufactured parts. However, their previous 3D measuring arm presented significant limitations. Measuring large assemblies was challenging due to its limited range, and accuracy decreased with repositioning. Slow measuring speeds further restricted efficiency and increased workload.
Additionally, many components had to be placed on a flat magnetic surface, making it difficult or even impossible to measure certain assemblies. Rising repair costs also became an issue, prompting Amazone to search for a more advanced 3D measurement solution.
The company set specific criteria for their new measurement system, prioritizing:
✅ Faster, more accurate, and higher-volume measurements
✅ A simplified 3D measurement process
✅ A robust system capable of performing in industrial environments
The Game-Changer: Creaform’s MetraSCAN 3D
After evaluating various options, Amazone selected Creaform’s MetraSCAN 3D. “The MetraSCAN 3D met all our criteria,” says Albrecht. “We were particularly impressed by its flexibility, robustness, and speed in capturing and analyzing 3D measurements. It handles various surface types effortlessly—painted, cut, sandblasted, or baked—and is easy to operate.”
Amazone’s quality control team primarily uses the MetraSCAN 3D at a large measurement station in the production area. Components such as rear oscillating arms and welded assemblies (central frames, side frames, braces, rollers, and roller frames) are scanned and compared to their CAD models using 3D measurement software.
Boosting Accuracy and Efficiency
Compared to their previous system, Amazone has significantly accelerated its measurement processes. The streamlined data collection and inspection workflow allow the team to respond more effectively to new production challenges while enhancing incoming inspections and production control.
By scanning entire welded assemblies, Amazone proactively detects deviations and distortions, ensuring comprehensive dimensional checks.
Stefan Albrecht concludes: “For us, the future lies in using Creaform’s MetraSCAN 3D.”
