Hexagon has added support for a widely used industrial communication standard to its SpatialAnalyzer metrology software, allowing high-precision laser measurement data to flow directly into the control systems that drive robots and automated production lines.
The new client for Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture (OPC UA) is aimed at solving an accuracy problem that has limited robotic automation on large, complex parts, where robots alone often cannot deliver the precision such assemblies require. OPC UA is a secure, common standard used to communicate between industrial control systems, such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and robots, enabling automated processes.
Demand for that precision is growing quickly across large-format manufacturing sectors such as aerospace, energy and shipbuilding. According to Forecast International’s May 2026 report on Airbus and Boeing orders and deliveries, the two manufacturers’ combined commercial aircraft order backlogs stood at more than 16,000 aircraft at the end of May 2026, equivalent to roughly a decade of production at current delivery rates.
The new OPC UA client includes encryption and authentication for secure data exchange, and is supported by 25 new MP/SDK commands for developers building automated OPC UA workflows.
Zach Rogers, product manager for SpatialAnalyzer at Hexagon, said, “Robots are much-needed in large-format manufacturing, but they are not accurate enough to perform operations such as drilling holes to the precision required – the bigger the part, the harder it can be to align. SpatialAnalyzer is the software for orchestrating quality inspections and complex, metrology-assisted manufacturing and assembly processes, used by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and their system integrators and line builders. This is a huge release for anyone using or building these systems, with support for all common metrology devices.”
Hexagon is also introducing SARCA, a new robot-calibration device that uses multi-zone, multi-tool calibration to improve the accuracy of industrial robots by up to 10 times. Used alongside SpatialAnalyzer, SARCA lets manufacturers calibrate robots for high-precision work before they go into production.
Aziz Tahiri, global director of aerospace and defense at Hexagon, said, “Our customers need better ways of delivering excellence, but sooner, to serve unprecedented aerospace and defence demand. SpatialAnalyzer is trusted throughout the industry, and with robust OPC UA support for metrology, we have unlocked new automation capabilities in stable processes and brought mature building blocks to new challenges. With support for the unique direct scanning capabilities of the Leica Absolute Tracker ATS800, delivered through our revamped System Integrator Programme, we will help the ecosystem bring process innovations to the global community.”
The release also enables full use of the Leica Absolute Tracker ATS800, a new metrology device covering room scanning, conventional laser position tracking with reflectors, and high-precision direct scanning of features. Support for the ATS800 comes through Hexagon’s revamped System Integrator Program, which brings new metrology devices and capabilities to the systems that OEMs and integrators build.
SpatialAnalyzer 2026.1 also adds Google Sheets integration for automated data workflows, and expanded support for precision scanners including the API LADAR, Leica RTC360 and Nikon LR, alongside compatibility with RDS 6.6 and the Leica TS20.
SpatialAnalyzer 2026.1, SARCA and the Leica Absolute Tracker ATS800 are available now as part of a global release.
