FARO Technologies, Laser Design Team Up to Boost Speed and Coverage of Portable Scanning Systems

Minneapolis, Minn., May 17, 2010 — Laser Design, Inc. and FARO Technologies (Nasdaq: FARO) announced their partnership in developing a next-generation scanning technology system, the Magnaline 240. This strategic partnership will allow both companies to bring their combined technologies to a wider base of innovative customers.

The Magnaline 240 combines an extra-long 9.5" laser line probe with the 8′-12′ Quantum, Platinum, and Fusion articulated FaroArms for the most versatile 3D laser scanning system available. C. Martin Schuster, Laser Design President, commented, "Laser Design’s lightweight probe’s line length is more than twice as long as the average laser probe on the market, making it an excellent choice for high-speed, non-contact 3D scanning of medium and large objects."

The Magnaline 240 is an exceptionally high performance portable laser line scanning system with collections speeds starting at 75,000 data points per second. The system utilizes Laser Design’s patented carbon graphite, dual-sensor scanning technology with enhanced specularity performance that improves data quality and reduces the number of scanning passes required by capturing more geometry per pass. The lightweight, shock-resistant probe with no moving components is not sensitive to changes in temperature, keeping the measurements and the system itself accurately calibrated.

"The Magnaline 240 is the perfect complement to our high accuracy V3 laser scanner," states Gary Telling, FARO’s Director of Product Management. "Having the ability to offer the V3 and the Magnaline 240 to our customers allows them to gain rapid surface acquisition combined with extreme probing accuracy. The Magnaline 240 captures area more than twice as fast as other systems. Our customers can now spend less time collecting data and more time acting upon the information gathered."

FARO Technologies, the world’s single source for a complete line of portable measurement solutions, spent two decades developing and improving the ergonomics, accuracy, and portability of their FaroArm systems. The FaroArm’s reach of up to 12 feet adds functionality to Laser Design’s scanning probe by allowing users to transport the portable scanner right to the part. This is a significant benefit for companies that prefer keeping parts in-house for confidentiality purposes as well as for companies whose parts are too large or too difficult to move, such as those in the automotive and aerospace industries.

Coupling the FaroArm with advanced scanning technology like Laser Design’s laser line probe, creates an amazingly versatile and time-saving laser measurement, inspection, verification, and reverse-engineering solution for diverse industries such as automotive, aerospace, agricultural, mining, and maritime just to mention a few. "The portable Magnaline 240 system can be moved around from one production area to another to provide timely verification and inspection to the parts being fabricated…," Schuster explained. "The system’s versatility also facilitates reverse engineering legacy parts for which no CAD models exist, a common issue in many industries."

About Laser Design, Inc. / GKS Global Services
Laser Design, Inc. and GKS Global Services have been leading suppliers of ultra-precise, 3D laser scanning systems, along with CT scanning, dimensional inspection, 3D laser scanning, and long-range scanning services for over 29 years. GKS also offers rental equipment and expertise to customers with the occasional 3D scanning project. For further information or to request assistance with your measurement project, call 952-884-9648 or visit us online: www.LaserDesign.com

About FARO
FARO develops and markets computer-aided coordinate measurement and imaging devices and software. Portable equipment from FARO permits high-precision 3D measurement, imaging and comparison of parts and compound structures within production and quality assurance processes. The devices are used for inspecting components and assemblies, production planning, 3D documentation, as well as for investigation and reconstruction of accident sites or crime scenes. They are also employed to generate digital scans of historic sites. Worldwide, approximately 10,000 customers are operating more than 20,000 installations of FARO’s systems. The Company’s global headquarters is located in Lake Mary, Fla., its European head office in Stuttgart, Germany and its Asia/Pacific head office in Singapore. FARO has branches in Canada, Mexico, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, Netherlands, India, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Japan. Further information: http://www.faro.com.