Case Study: SETIS achieves micron-level antenna measurement precision with Hexagon

SETIS - Customer Case Study

SETIS, a company specializing in high-precision industrial projects for sectors like aerospace, was faced with the immense challenge of manufacturing and assembling the enormous, ultra-precise antennae for the ALMA radio telescope project. Their task involved measuring thousands of mechanical interfaces and monitoring structural deformations with micron-level precision under difficult environmental conditions. They turned to vendor Hexagon and implemented a range of Leica Geosystems measurement instruments, including the Leica Absolute Tracker AT901 and the Leica LTD640.

The solution from Hexagon enabled dynamic, high-precision measurements throughout the antenna manufacturing and assembly process, from the carbon fiber cabin to the final reflector surface. The results were exceptional, with the final parabolic dish achieving an RMS of 30µm and critical components being set to tolerances as tight as +/- 0.05 mm. This allowed SETIS to successfully meet the project's extreme precision demands, optimize the assembly workflow, and train local teams to perform near-autonomous measurements, facilitating the mass production of the antennae.

SETIS

Gaël Archambeau

Project Manager