# Hexagon METRICAL Automates CMM Loading and Inspection Queues https://cncoutlook.com/news/hexagon-metrical-automated-cmm-loading/ By CNC Outlook Editorial · 2026-09-01 Hexagon announced METRICAL in September 2026 as a system for automating part queuing, loading and unloading around coordinate measuring machines. The target is a familiar bottleneck in precision manufacturing: an expensive measurement machine may be Hexagon announced METRICAL in September 2026 as a system for automating part queuing, loading and unloading around coordinate measuring machines. The target is a familiar bottleneck in precision manufacturing: an expensive measurement machine may be capable of running programs unattended, yet a person must still move each part into position and decide what to inspect next. The company says METRICAL works with recent and existing CMM platforms, including MAESTRO and GLOBAL configurations. That creates a potential automation route for inspection departments that already own substantial measuring equipment. ## A different bottleneck from cutting automation Machining automation is often measured in additional spindle hours. Automated metrology needs a different measure: how quickly a verified inspection result reaches production without losing traceability. A robot or part loader can reduce repetitive handling, but the inspection queue still has to contain the correct part identity, program revision, fixture definition and acceptance criteria. Without those elements, the machine may collect a large amount of data that is difficult to reconcile with production orders or engineering changes. Hexagon describes METRICAL as combining queued workpieces with automatic movement into and out of the measuring volume. Its relevance is strongest where parts share a controlled presentation method and inspection routines can be run predictably. More varied components create additional engineering work: a cell may need multiple fixtures, collision checks, orientation decisions and rules that prevent the wrong inspection program being applied to a component. These are system integration tasks rather than features solved by a loader alone. ## How an unattended inspection cell should operate Reliable unmanned inspection also requires rules for exceptions. If a part cannot be located, a fixture is missing or a measured feature is out of tolerance, the system must determine whether the next part can continue safely and how the suspect component is isolated. A production manager should ask how results are linked to serial numbers or batches, where failed parts are stored and how a metrologist can review ambiguous measurement reports. The quality-control process must remain defensible even when the person performing routine loading is absent. An automated inspection queue can make measurement more predictable by smoothing the flow between machining and quality assurance. However, it does not automatically increase the throughput of the CMM itself. Program duration, probe changes, temperature stabilization and data analysis can still limit the number of parts inspected per shift. The economic assessment should compare accepted reports per day, operator time, failed-part handling and the utilization of the measuring machine before and after integration. ## Where this makes business sense A high-mix subcontractor may benefit from automated loading if parts can be grouped into stable inspection families and the CMM is often waiting for operator attention. A plant running very dissimilar components may face more complicated fixturing and job sequencing, offsetting some of the labour benefit. Before purchase, engineering and metrology teams should conduct a workflow trial that includes the complete part identification and reporting sequence, not only robotic loading demonstrations. METRICAL illustrates the movement of automation from machine cutting toward the inspection loop. Hexagon's announcement establishes the system's intended function and supported product families, but site-specific productivity, staffing savings and measurement assurance must be demonstrated in the target application. Source: September 1, 2026 coverage in Metrology and Quality News of Hexagon's METRICAL launch. ## Sources & References - [Hexagon Launches METRICAL for Fully Autonomous CMM Inspection]() — Metrology and Quality News (2026-09-01T12:00:00Z) © CNC Outlook. See https://cncoutlook.com/terms/ for reuse terms.