Knowledge
Inline Dimensional Measurement System
POMEAS inline dimensional measurement systems check part dimensions directly on the production line - no bench, no sample carry-over, results every cycle. The line combines two product families: HM-series telecentric inline measuring heads for precision part features, and the LM-1030 laser diameter gauge for continuous material such as wire, cable and tube. Both families output measurements in real time for SPC, line control and automatic OK/NG sorting.
Why Inline Measurement Instead of Offline Sampling
Offline sampling inspects a fraction of production and reports defects hours late. An inline system measures every part at the moment it is made, so drift is caught while it can still be corrected. POMEAS inline heads use telecentric imaging, which keeps magnification constant across the depth of field, so small height variations of the part do not distort the measured scale. The green LED backlight produces stable silhouette edges for diameter, width, gap and position features.
POMEAS Product Line and Specifications
HM-series telecentric inline measuring heads - figures per the POMEAS specification sheet:
| Model | Field of view | Repeatability | Position accuracy |
|---|---|---|---|
| HM-1006 | φ6 mm | ±0.05 μm | ±0.2 μm |
| HM-1015 | φ15 mm | ±0.05 μm | ±0.3 μm |
| HM-1040 | φ40 mm | ±0.08 μm | ±1.0 μm |
| HM-1065 | φ65 mm | ±0.1 μm | ±1.2 μm |
| HM-1120 | φ120 mm | ±0.2 μm | ±2.5 μm |
The LM-1030 online laser diameter gauge covers 0.3 to 30 mm with ±2 μm accuracy, ±0.15 μm repeatability and a sampling rate of up to 2,400 s⁻¹, using a GaN green LED source in an IP64 housing with a 160±40 mm gauge window. Product detail pages: HM-1006, HM-1015, HM-1040, HM-1065, HM-1120.
Application Scenarios
- Optical fiber and optical communication components - ferrule bore, outer diameter and geometry checks; see the fiber component micro-hole measurement case.
- Precision metal contact parts - pin width, pitch and position on stamped or machined contacts.
- Small precision shafts and pins - OD and ovality at line speed.
- Wire, cable and tube - continuous diameter with the LM-1030 for wire inspection; see inline diameter gauging applications.
- Medical precision parts - dimension verification of small molded or machined components before packaging.
How to Select a Configuration
Four inputs decide the configuration: the part envelope and its smallest feature, the tightest tolerance, the presentation method (static cycle or continuous motion), and the output interface the line requires. State the part family rather than a single sample - the field of view must cover the whole family with margin. For transparent or reflective parts, read inline measurement of transparent and reflective parts; for station-count and cycle-time planning, see cycle time and station count calculation, and the inline vs offline selection guide.
A Note on TM-X5000 Comparisons
Buyers often benchmark inline systems against the KEYENCE TM-X5000 series. KEYENCE publishes repeatability of ±0.03 to ±0.2 μm measured on a glass calibration scale (source: keyence.com specifications page, checked 2026-11-03). POMEAS publishes HM-series external figures of ±0.05 to ±0.2 μm. POMEAS does not claim equivalence with any competitor figure; the reliable comparison is a verification test on your own parts, which POMEAS supports with sample testing. Error sources and budgeting are covered in inline diameter measurement error budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an inline dimensional measurement system?
An inline dimensional measurement system measures part dimensions directly on the production line, without moving parts to an offline bench. POMEAS inline systems image the part through telecentric optics and output per-cycle results for SPC and line control.
How accurate is the POMEAS HM series?
Per the POMEAS specification sheet, repeatability is ±0.05/0.05/0.08/0.1/0.2 μm and position accuracy is ±0.2/0.3/1.0/1.2/2.5 μm for HM-1006/1015/1040/1065/1120 over fields of view of φ6/15/40/65/120 mm.
Can it measure parts while they are moving?
The LM-1030 laser diameter gauge samples up to 2,400 s⁻¹ and measures wire, cable and tube in continuous motion. The HM telecentric heads measure per presentation cycle, so suitability depends on how the part is staged and handled.
How does it compare with the KEYENCE TM-X5000?
KEYENCE publishes TM-X5000 repeatability of ±0.03 to ±0.2 μm on a glass calibration scale (keyence.com, checked 2026-11-03). POMEAS HM external figures are ±0.05 to ±0.2 μm; POMEAS does not claim equivalence and recommends verification testing on your own parts.
Request a Configuration Check
Send your part drawings, tolerances and line speed to POMEAS for a configuration proposal and sample test, or start from the inline diameter measurement methods and selection overview.
Related Reading: Non-Contact Diameter Measurement
The HM series inline dimensional measurement system on this page is built for multi-dimension inline inspection. When the requirement narrows to continuous non-contact diameter measurement, the dedicated resources below go deeper:
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