Hexagon acquires Etalon to further autonomous production

Serial acquirer Hexagon just announced that is has bought Etalon AG, maker of equipment calibration products. Etalon’s metrology solutions measure geometry, analyze these measurements and, when needed, initiate compensation to ensure the dimensional accuracy of manufactured parts.  In other words, when a production line starts to loosen its grip on accuracy, Etalon’s solutions alert production engineers and re-tune the machines. Hexagon says Etalon’s portfolio strengthen its calibration solutions and complements its on-machine measurement solution range, which now incorporates machine tool probes, software and calibration equipment.

Etalon says it currently serves mechanical engineering, industrial instrumentation, automotive and aerospace companies as well as researchers — but it seems Hexagon values Etalon for another key initiative: autonomous manufacturing.

“[This] acquisition is a natural extension of Hexagon’s data-driven smart factory strategy. It is reinforcing our commitment to increase customer value through the convergence of production and metrology and greater process autonomy through machine-controlled operations,” said Hexagon CEO Ola Rollén in prepared remarks.

On the Etalon website, Etalon CEO Heinrich Schwenke added “The technology portfolio in the areas of machine calibration and monitoring, production metrology and Smart Factory ideally complement with the product range of Hexagon. The Etalon team is looking forward to work with our customers in this strong and global organisation. It will accelerate Etalons growth and will strengthen the metrology capital Braunschweig as a location within Hexagon”.

The deal closed on 1 January 2019, and Etalon is now part of Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division. Hexagon didn’t announce financial details other than to say that Etalon will have no significant impact on Hexagon’s earnings.