The Portuguese metalworking and manufacturing industry is facing a crucial moment of digital transformation. With a significant, export-oriented metalworking sector in Portugal and Spain, the need for high-quality and precision dimensional control solutions has never been more evident. Today, S4METRO Leiria takes an important step by becoming the owner of the first Cube-R system in the Iberian Peninsula, an automatic dimensional inspection system.
Cube-R Technical Characteristics
The Cube-R is more than just a metrology device. It's an integrated solution that combines metrological-grade precision with the speed and efficiency of industrial automation. But what sets it apart?
Metrology-grade accuracy
Based on MetraSCAN 3D-R BLACK+ Elite HD technology, the Cube-R offers:
- Metrological performance for automatic dimensional inspection
- High-speed 3D data acquisition
- Performance specified by the manufacturer for industrial metrology applications
These characteristics make it possible to meet demanding quality requirements in production environments.
Three Modular Configurations for Maximum Flexibility
The Cube-R is available in three standard configurations that perfectly adapt to the requirements of each application:
| Configuration | Capacity |
|---|---|
| M2™ | Ideal for parts up to 2 metres |
| M3™ | Perfect for components up to 3 metres |
| M4™ | For large structures up to 4 metres |
This modularity ensures that the equipment grows with the company. Thus, it adapts to new challenges without the need for a complete system replacement.
Robustness in a Real Industrial Environment
Unlike conventional CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machines) solutions that require controlled environments, the Cube-R was designed to operate on the shop floor with:
- Ability to operate even in environments with vibrations
- Compatibility with complex surfaces and challenging materials
- Automatic handling of complex geometries, with less need for part preparation, including on many shiny or dark surfaces
- Functionality on chrome, black, and composite materials
Real-World Applications of the Cube-R
The Cube-R is used in industrial applications, particularly in the automotive sector. Understanding these applications helps contextualise the potential for the Iberian region.
Automotive Industry: The Primary Use Case
In the automotive sector, the technology is applied, for example, to:
- Inspection of Sheet Metal Components: Car body panels, mudguards, doors, bonnets
- Control of Complex Castings: Engine blocks, suspension arms, high-precision aluminium castings
- Validation of Welded Subassemblies: Body-in-white structures, welded assemblies
- 100% Inspection in Production Lines: Reduction of defects, elimination of CMM bottlenecks
In automotive applications described by Creaform, automation has significantly increased the percentage of parts inspected.
Applications in Composites and Aeronautics
For composite material components, the Cube-R offers:
- Non-destructive measurement of carbon fibre panels
- Validation of critical dimensions without damaging high-cost components
- Rapid inspection of assembly tolerances
Foundry and Heavy Manufacturing
In foundry operations, the technology allows for:
- Detection of surface defects
- Validation of dimensions after finishing
- Dimensional control of large-format structures
Portugal and Spain: A Market Ready for Transformation
S4METRO's decision to invest in the Cube-R coincides with a critical moment for the Iberian industry.
Current Industrial Context
Portugal has a significant, export-oriented metal and metalworking sector, with a growing focus on Industry 4.0 and automation.
Spain, one of Europe's leading automotive producers, complements this ecosystem with continuous demand for international-level quality solutions.
The Competitive Advantage of Automatic Inspection
In a context where European labour costs continue to rise and global competition intensifies, automation of dimensional inspection offers:
- Increased Productivity: Automation can increase productivity compared with manual CMM measurement, depending on the part, the program and the inspection context
- Waste Reduction: Early detection of deviations reduces rework
- Complete Traceability: Every measurement is digitally recorded
- Reduced Dependence on Skilled Operators: Automation lessens the need for highly trained personnel
S4METRO's Metrology Laboratory: More Than a Service, an Opportunity
S4METRO has not merely acquired equipment. It has strengthened its laboratory capability in precision metrology. The laboratory now offers two critical value propositions:
1. Inspection Services with Cube-R
Companies can order:
- Complete dimensional inspection of large components
- Validation of critical tolerances
- Detailed measurement reports
- Analysis of dimensional trends for process optimisation
This is particularly valuable for SMEs that cannot justify their own investment but have demanding quality requirements.
2. Testing and Evaluation for Potential Clients
An additional option: companies interested in acquiring a Cube-R can now test it in a real production environment, with their own data. This allows for validating ROI before a significant investment.
This reduces uncertainty and allows for:
- Practical verification of compatibility with specific parts
- Analysis of real cycle times
- Staff qualification before implementation
- Demonstration of internal financial results
Potential Impact for the Portuguese and Spanish Industry
What is the real importance of this installation for the region? There are several reasons to expect a relevant impact:
Modernisation of Supply Chains
Many Portuguese and Spanish SMEs are suppliers to large European OEMs, especially in the automotive sector. The availability of a Cube-R in the region now allows these suppliers to significantly reinforce the coverage of their inspections, without significantly increasing operational costs.
Attraction of Foreign Investment
International investors evaluating Portugal and Spain as manufacturing locations critically consider the availability of quality infrastructure. A laboratory equipped with Cube-R constitutes a positive differentiating element.
A Step Towards Industry 5.0
The installation of the first Cube-R in the Iberian Peninsula at S4METRO's laboratory in Leiria is not merely a corporate event. It represents the materialisation of a broader strategy: to consolidate the Portuguese and Spanish metalworking industry as European leaders in quality and operational efficiency.
For companies with stringent dimensional inspection requirements, for automotive suppliers seeking competitive differentials, or for any organisation considering adopting automatic inspection technology, the S4METRO laboratory in Leiria now offers the opportunity to see and test this technology.
The future of metrology using automation in the Iberian Peninsula began here. And it began with precision.
Technical Training and the FARO × Creaform Merger
In this video, we speak with Luis Iñaki Martínez Clamens, Sales Manager at FARO Creaform, who joined us to provide comprehensive technical training. We also took the opportunity to explore the news of the Faro × Creaform merger and what changes for customers and the industry moving forward.
