// CUSTOMER
Hexagon Metrology
Hexagon AB is a multinational company headquartered in Stockholm, with more than 24,000 employees across 50 countries on six continents. Hexagon is recognised as a global leader in measurement technologies and geospatial software.
CLIENTE : Hexagon Metrology
INDUSTRY : MANUFACTURING
In 2023, the group reported revenue of $5.5 billion and total assets of $18.1 billion, consolidating its position as a strategic player in manufacturing, aerospace, automotive and precision metrology.
Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence is the division specialising in the industrial metrology market. This business unit provides:
- Coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) – precision instruments for the dimensional inspection of complex components
- Portable measuring arms – flexible solutions for shop-floor measurement
- Laser trackers and calibration systems – ETALON technologies for verifying and optimising machine tool geometry
- Optical 3D scanners – high-density point cloud data acquisition
- Metrology software – platforms for 3D analysis, CAD-based inspection and statistical process control (SPC)
The division’s mission is to support the full product lifecycle – from concept and design to production, certification and service – by providing solutions that integrate quality into every stage of the production process.
// BRIEF
Project Overview
Project
In 2025, Hexagon’s Metrology division entered into a strategic partnership with Shin Software to address a critical organisational challenge: documenting and transferring highly specialised expertise in the assembly, calibration and operation of advanced measurement systems, particularly the HH-ACW-43MW continuous indexing probe head and the UNICAL suite for machine tool calibration.
Using Shin Software’s proprietary SHOWin3D platform, the project developed interactive 3D digital experiences and augmented reality (AR) procedures that transform traditional static documentation into immersive, repeatable and readily scalable learning environments.
The initiative involved the technical teams of the Hexagon Metrology division, with the following objectives:
- Capture and preserve critical know-how within the organisation
- Accelerate operator learning
- Reduce errors in setup and configuration procedures
- Assess the effectiveness of augmented reality in training and operational contexts
- Create a scalable model for future expansion to other systems and product lines
// THE NEED
An organizational challenge
Hexagon’s Metrology division identified a critical vulnerability in its knowledge transfer processes for complex technical procedures. Specifically:
Concentration of Technical Expertise
Assembly, setup and calibration of the HH-ACW-43MW continuous indexing probe head (a heavy-duty precision mechanism capable of orienting the probe in any spatial position, with infinitely variable angular positions) were entrusted to just one or two people within the organisation.
This situation posed a significant operational risk: if these specialists left the company due to retirement, transfer or other reasons, the group would irretrievably lose the know-how required to:
- Correctly assemble mechanical components
- Calibrate the continuous axes (A and B) within the specified tolerances
- Diagnose and resolve operational issues
- Perform preventive maintenance
Inadequacy of Existing Documentation
Procedures had previously been documented in static, extensive and complex Word files, characterised by:
- A large number of pages (difficult to navigate)
- Textual descriptions that were difficult to visualise in three dimensions
- No animations or dynamic sequences
- No ability to change the viewing angle during learning
- High cognitive load for operators
This type of documentation proved insufficient for transferring practical skills that require an in-depth understanding of spatial geometry and the operational sequence.
// SOLUTION
Shin Software for
Hexagon Metrology
Shin Software developed a solution for Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence to digitise and virtualise operating procedures using its proprietary SHOWin3D platform, transforming traditional technical documentation into interactive three-dimensional experiences and augmented reality content. The goal was to preserve critical know-how related to the assembly, calibration and operation of advanced measurement systems, such as the HH-ACW-43MW continuous indexing probe head and the UNICAL Etalon suite, overcoming the limitations of complex static manuals that were ineffective at transferring practical skills.
Phase 1: Acquisition and 3D Modelling
- •Importing 3D CAD models of the HH-ACW-43MW system and UNICAL Etalon components
- •Optimising models for performance and visual quality
- •Creating 3D digital twins faithful to technical specifications and operational geometries
Phase 2: Interactive Experience Design
- Breaking down complex procedures into sequential steps (e.g. step 1: positioning the base, step 2: assembling the kinematic coupling, step 3: calibrating the continuous axes, etc.)
- Creating dynamic animations showing component movement, rotation and assembly
- Implementing interactive hotspots that allow users to explore specific details
- Designing multiple viewpoints – users can rotate, zoom and observe the procedure from any angle
Phase 3: AR Integration and Deployment
- Configuring the experience in AR mode – virtually projecting the HH-ACW-43MW continuous indexing probe head and UNICAL components into a real physical space (workshop or laboratory)
// 3D EXPERIENCE
Results and benefits
Before the solution was introduced, learning required one-to-one sessions with a specialist lasting five to ten days per procedure, creating a bottleneck dependent on the expert’s availability. Verbal explanations of complex geometric concepts led to misunderstandings, and each operator had to repeat the entire training cycle without a structured, repeatable approach.
With SHOWin3D, skills transfer has become immediate and visual, independently accessible without relying on an expert. Procedures can be repeated an unlimited number of times and viewed from any angle, enabling more personalised, in-depth learning.
Reduced Setup Times
Initial assembly time fell from three to four days to one to two days, a 50% reduction. Initial calibration decreased from 2 days to 4–6 hours, a 70% improvement. Assembly errors fell by 65%. Operators can directly observe how components move and fit together, eliminating the need to mentally translate textual descriptions.
Operational Quality and Consistency
The adoption of interactive procedures eliminated procedural variability, as all operators follow the same sequence defined in SHOWin3D. Calibration results became more consistent across different operators. Structured digital documentation simplifies audits and compliance checks, making every step traceable and verifiable.
Testing Augmented Reality (AR) in Training
AR mode validated Hexagon’s vision, significantly increasing operator engagement by projecting components into their actual working environment. AR accelerated the understanding of three-dimensional positioning, substantially reducing errors in the placement of UNICAL sensors. In some cases, the technology was used as a digital assistant for just-in-time training, enabling real-time checks during operational activities.
// NEXT STEPS
Future Developments
The highly effective communication and immediate skills transfer enabled by interactive 3D procedures are set to mark a turning point for Hexagon’s operational teams and the metrology industry as a whole.
The scalability of the SHOWin3D platform allows Hexagon to rapidly expand its range of interactive experiences, delivering content in response to market developments and strengthening its position as an industry leader.
