Artec Neo Brings Tolerance-Driven 3D Scanning to IMTS 2026

A scanner that measures where it counts

Artec 3D has launched the Neo, a handheld hybrid 3D scanner that applies metrology-grade accuracy selectively instead of across an entire part. The company calls it tolerance-driven scanning, and the idea is straightforward: not every surface on a component needs the same precision, so stop wasting time preparing targets and scanning areas that do not affect function.

The Neo achieves 0.025 mm accuracy with targets applied, and 0.05 mm accuracy without them. It uses a proprietary blue-light optical system with a single hybrid tracking architecture, meaning one scan produces a single dataset regardless of which mode you use. There is no switching between separate technologies or stitching together multiple data sources.

How tolerance-driven scanning works

Traditional metrology scanning requires targets across the whole part to maintain guaranteed accuracy. That makes inspection slow and expensive, especially on large assemblies where most surfaces have loose tolerances. The Neo flips that approach. Targets serve as metrology anchors only around critical features: datums, fits, seals, and alignment surfaces. The rest of the part is captured target-free using geometry, texture, and color tracking driven by onboard AI algorithms.

That distinction matters on the factory floor. A technician inspecting a gearbox housing can place targets around bearing seats and mounting faces, then scan the rest of the casting without preparation. Deep channels and passages where targets cannot be applied are measured as-is, then compared directly against CAD.

The Neo also supports full-target mode when a complete measurement certificate is required, and pure target-free scanning for reverse engineering where speed matters more than traceability.

Wireless freedom and real-world workflow

The scanner runs tethered over Thunderbolt 3 or fully wireless with up to 50 minutes of battery-powered scanning. Wi-Fi connectivity sends data to a second display or a nearby workstation, so the operator does not need to drag a cable across machinery or climb inside an enclosure. A companion iOS and Android app is in development to turn any smartphone into the Neo's display.

Every unit is individually calibrated and verified in Artec's independent metrology laboratory, which operates according to ISO/IEC 17025 principles and uses test methods per VDI/VDE 2634 Part 3 standards. Automated robotic testing eliminates operator influence and ensures repeatability. Each scanner ships with its own verification certificate.

Who should care

Artec is positioning the Neo for automotive flush-and-gap inspection, aerospace MRO, defense reverse engineering, and industrial quality control. The $38,600 price point puts it below many dedicated coordinate measuring machines, and the ability to switch between accuracy modes means a single device covers first-article inspection, dimensional control, and legacy-part digitization without swapping tools.

The Neo debuts at IMTS 2026 in Chicago, September 14-19, at Booth #134246. It is available now through Artec's global reseller network.