KREON is a French manufacturer of 3D contact and non-contact measuring solutions. Having specialized in 3D scanners for almost 30 years, the company also offers a full range of measuring arms. All KREON solutions are compatible with the leading applicative software of the market for inspection and reverse engineering applications. Kreon has subsidiaries in, France, Italy and Germany and relies on a global network of more than 60 expert partners to ensures proximity to customers. KREON Technologies’ know-how combines high-tech products and high level of service.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
KREON: The Automotive and Aerospace industries have advanced production control needs, so they are naturally the primary buyers of KREON products. Wherever 3D acquisition is required, whether for reverse engineering or quality control, KREON is able to supply expertise. More generally, the company is committed to providing customers performing solutions in order to help them reduce production costs and time, to increase efficiency and to improve their processes.
E.E: What’s the news about new products?
KREON: The KREON product lines are constantly evolving, and the latest 3D scanners are the ZEPHYR III, designed mainly for CMMs applications. They can scan extremely complex parts at a high acquisition speed of 600,000 pts/sec. The ZEPHYR III 150 and its broad laser line of 150 mm, unique on CMMs, brings a significant increase in productivity, especially with large parts. The ZEPHYR III 50, with its accuracy of 5µm, is dedicated to high accuracy and resolution scanning on small geometries. Being very flexible, ZEPHYR III scanners can operate on various machines such as CMMs, measuring arms, or robots.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
KREON: KREON develops multi-machine 3D laser scanners such as the ZEPHYR range, but also fully integrated laser scanners for KREON measuring arm, such as the Skyline range. KREON also offer different levels of measuring arms offer several levels of range, in increasing order of performance: ACE and ACE+. They enable both contact measurement, using a probe, and non-contact measurement with a scanner. Recently, KREON has launched its own free software dedicated to the use of KREON arms.
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
KREON: The 3D measurement market is growing rapidly, driven by the emergence of new 3D scanning technologies. Photogrammetry, structured light, laser triangulation, laser tracking, are among the solutions that meet the growing needs of 3D measurement in the industry. Specialized in laser triangulation for 30 years, KREON finds its place in this market by offering reliable, efficient and innovative products. KREON is also able to support its customers to provide them with customized solutions.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
KREON: The observed trend towards automation for many years is increasing, KREON offers a complete robotic scanning solution on the production line including ZEPHYR III scanner, STAUBLI robot and METROLOGX4-IROBOT software. Offline work allows a single technician to manage several machines remotely, both in their programming and in the processing of their measurement results. The search for productivity is also increasingly taking place through intelligent and connected systems, thanks to the integration of artificial intelligence at the heart of control units. In this sense, Kreon must ensure perfect interoperability of its products with their environment for optimal management of the data collected.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
KREON: Last year, KREON launched an ACE + version of its ACE measuring arm. Based on the latest encoder technologies and advanced calibration processes, this measuring arm is the most accurate in the KREON range. With its unprecedented levels of precision, more consistent measurement over its volume, higher repeatability, and meeting the latest ISO standards applied to measuring arms, ACE+ satisfies all digital needs, for both scanning and probing. Combined with the Skyline Eyes scanner, ACE+ arm can acquire details that even eyes cannot perceive.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2022?
KREON: For the year to come, Kreon is banking on a continued upturn in activity after the Covid crisis. If shortages in certain materials and electronic components do not persist, the year 2022 should be reconciled with pre-crisis activity levels. Depending on the context, kreon will its best to extend its international presence, to work as always to improve existing products and to launch new products.