Traveling with the Laser Tracker
Overview
The guidelines below provide information for traveling with the FARO® VantageS,VantageE, and the Vantages6,VantageE6 Laser Trackers and the 6Probe™.
Traveling by Ground
- When transporting a Laser Tracker that is mounted on a heavy duty stand with wheels around a shop floor, you do not need to remove it from the stand. Although, before moving, lower the stands wheels and vertical extension tube.
- While in motion, avoid any divots or large gaps in the floor.
- When transporting a Laser Tracker that is mounted on a portable tripod without wheels around a shop floor, remove it from the tripod before moving.
- Before moving the Laser Tracker and if not completely shutting it down, switch to ‘Motors Off’ to prevent any damage.
- After the tripod is in the new location, mount the Laser Tracker on top of the portable tripod.
- When transporting the Laser Tracker System long distances or between facilities, pack everything in the shipping cases. Always use straps to secure the shipping cases to a pallet when using a forklift, and gently lift and lower the pallet.
Traveling by Air
- The Laser Tracker, along with all FARO equipment, should be carry-on items whenever possible.
- If questioned as to what the item is by TSA agents, use proper wording:
- The Laser Tracker is best described as a 3D measurement device
Battery Guidelines
- The Laser Tracker batteries are Class 9 Lithium-ion batteries with a 230 Wh rating. Therefore, they are subject dangerous goods regulations.
See this article for more information on IATA regulations.
Note: The Laser Tracker does not contain any Lithium-ion batteries or require them to be powered. It is only when you've purchased a Battery Box kit that you would use batteries, in order to provide portable power to the Laser Tracker.
- The 6Probe contains a standard Canon Lithium-ion battery and may be a carry-on item
- The Laser Tracker batteries are over 100 Wh. Therefore, in order to carry them on any aircraft, you must receive clearance from the airline you're flying with and comply with IATA guidelines. This may require storing the batteries inside the battery box kit or module, depleted of charge.
- Lithium-ion batteries must be carry-on items only, unless you receive clearance from the airline to check them in your baggage. If a carry-on bag is checked at the gate or at planeside, all spare lithium batteries must be removed from the bag and kept with the passenger in the aircraft cabin.
- For more on traveling with lithium batteries, reference the Federal Aviation Administration's PackSafe for Passengers page.
Traveling by Sea
-
The Laser Tracker may be operated while traveling by boat, as long as measurements with the Tracker's Precision Level or measurements being compared to the gravity vector are not required. This is because the motion of the boat while floating in water is constantly changing orientation of the tracker (and the object being inspected) to the gravity vector. This may also result in the Health Checks failing the Precision Level check periodically.
-
If the Laser Tracker, object being measured and the boat are all moving together, other measurements will remain unaffected. However, if movement of the boat is causing the Tracker or the object being measured to move; repeatability and accuracy problems will occur.
- The Laser Tracker does have sealing to provide IP52 rated protection. However, care should still be taken to avoid water or mist, as the Tracker's IP52 rating is intended for protect from water falling from above, not water splashing up from below.
Note: Earlier models of the Tracker; ION, X, Xi and Si are not sealed and care should be taken to avoid any exposure to water or mist in the environment.
Storage
- When storing for long periods of time, pack the Laser Tracker System in its shipping cases to protect it from environmental hazards, dust, dirt, etc.
- Store the system in an environment between -20°C and 70°C where it will not be subject to rapid temperature changes, extreme environmental conditions, or heavy vibrations.
- The storage cases are not waterproof, so do not store the system outside or in an environment that does not remain dry at all times.