Citation
(1998), "Meta scores major success with first showing of Laser Probe", Industrial Robot, Vol. 25 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.1998.04925aab.012
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 1998, MCB UP Limited
Meta scores major success with first showing of Laser Probe
Meta scores major success with first showing of Laser Probe
The first public showing of the low cost Laser Probe was the Essen Welding Show. Laser Probe was specifically designed by Didcot-based Meta Technology to meet the needs of automatic welding machines rather than advanced robotics, the traditional home of laser vision systems.
Essen Welding Show proved to be a real watershed for Meta Technology who set themselves a simple objective: take laser vision systems out of the esoteric robot welding market and establish the Meta Laser Probe system as an everyday tool for conventional welding machines.
Although the objective was simply defined it needed a lot of planning to make sure it happened. As Mike Wilson, managing director of Meta said "The best people to convince a user that the system does everything we say at a price the user is prepared to pay is not Meta. It's the welding machine makers".
That's why the Laser Probe could be seen on seven different welding machines around the show. In the months prior to the show Meta assisted in integrating the guidance system with the different machines.
During the show Meta exhibited in conjunction with Bode, the internationally recognised welding machine builder. On the Bode stand alone, over 150 serious enquiries were taken for Laser Probe. Indications are that the same level of interest was maintained on the other stands.
Commenting on the result, Mike Wilson said "Exhibiting on our own could never have created this level of impact. Reflecting the international nature of Essen, the enquiries are from all over the world although the majority were from Europe where we have a good distributor network".
Last year Meta doubled the number of laser vision systems sold. With the new markets opened up by the low cost Laser Probe, Mike Wilson is confident of re-doubling sales for 1998.
Contact Mike Wilson, Meta Technology Limited, 10 Harrier Park, Southmead Industrial Estate, Didcot, Oxon, OXI 17PL. Tel: 01235 512215; Fax: 01235 512115.