FARO CREAFORM MetraSCAN BLACK2: Metrology 3D Scanner

# FARO CREAFORM MetraSCAN BLACK2

Overview

The FARO CREAFORM MetraSCAN BLACK2 is a metrology-grade optical 3D scanner for dimensional inspection, quality control, tooling, large assemblies, and shop-floor measurement. Launched in August 2026, it combines C-Track optical tracking, stand-alone scanning, and optional HandyPROBE tactile measurement.

In its primary C-Track workflow, FARO CREAFORM specifies 0.025 mm accuracy, 0.025 mm measurement resolution, 0.100 mm mesh resolution, and acquisition up to 2.8 million measurements per second. The scanner projects 46 blue laser lines plus one additional line over a 310 × 350 mm scanning area.

BLACK2 also expands the tracked workspace substantially. The C-Track working distance reaches up to 6.0 m, the recommended part-size range extends from 0.2 to 10 m, and the largest published flexible C-Track volume is 46.7 m³.

For current technical data, see the official MetraSCAN 3D technical specifications and FARO CREAFORM MetraSCAN BLACK2 launch announcement. For workflow context, see Best 3D Scanners for Reverse Engineering in 2026 and 3D Scanner Accuracy vs Resolution.

Key Strengths

• 0.025 mm stated C-Track accuracy
• 0.025 mm measurement resolution
• 0.100 mm mesh resolution
• Up to 2.8 million measurements/s
• 46 blue laser lines plus one extra line
• 310 × 350 mm scanning area
• 300 mm stand-off distance
• 250 mm depth of field
• Up to 6.0 m C-Track working distance
• Recommended 0.2–10 m part-size range
• Up to 46.7 m³ flexible C-Track volume
• 0.020 mm + 0.040 mm/m stand-alone accuracy
• 0.025 mm + 0.015 mm/m automatic volume-extension accuracy
• 0.025 mm HandyPROBE accuracy
• 3-in-1 scan / stand-alone / probe workflow
• Dynamic optical tracking
• Automatic shutter
• Setup-assistance tools
• ISO/IEC 17025-accredited calibration testing
• Acceptance testing based on VDI/VDE 2634 Part 3 and ISO 10360
• IP50 protection
• USB 3.0 connectivity

Best For

1. Production dimensional inspection
2. Automotive body, chassis, and tooling measurement
3. Aerospace components and assemblies
4. Large jigs, fixtures, and molds
5. Quality assurance and first-article inspection
6. Shop-floor metrology
7. Reverse engineering of large mechanical parts
8. Tactile probing alongside full-surface scanning
9. Large-part inspection where dynamic referencing matters
10. Teams needing both tracked and stand-alone metrology workflows

Technical Specifications

Accuracy note: the headline 0.025 mm figure is the published scanner accuracy in the C-Track workflow. Volumetric accuracy varies with measurement volume, while stand-alone mode uses a separate distance-dependent accuracy specification.

Three-in-One Metrology Architecture

The biggest change in MetraSCAN BLACK2 is not simply more laser lines. It is the ability to move between three inspection modes within one system.

C-Track Scanning

The C-Track observes the scanner and the measured setup, allowing dynamic referencing during shop-floor inspection.

This workflow suits medium and large components, production fixtures, moving setups, vibration-prone environments, and repeatable quality-control stations.

Stand-Alone Scanning

BLACK2 can also scan independently without requiring continuous C-Track line of sight.

FARO CREAFORM publishes 0.020 mm + 0.040 mm/m stand-alone accuracy.

This mode suits confined spaces, quick local checks, and areas hidden from the tracker.

HandyPROBE Measurement

When paired with the optional HandyPROBE, the same workflow can add tactile measurements.

Probing is useful for hole centers, datums, slots, deep features, and dimensions that are awkward to extract from a mesh.

FARO CREAFORM specifies 0.025 mm probing accuracy for the BLACK2 system with HandyPROBE.

C-Track Volumetric Accuracy and Large-Part Measurement

Large-part metrology should not be reduced to the scanner's local point accuracy.

FARO CREAFORM publishes volume-specific system performance:

The 46.7 m³ figure describes the largest published flexible C-Track measurement volume. It is not a rectangular scan-volume dimension like the X/Y/Z volume commonly published for desktop scanners.

For extended layouts, FARO CREAFORM specifies 0.025 mm + 0.015 mm/m automatic volume-extension accuracy.

This is the more useful specification when evaluating the system for large tooling, automotive structures, aerospace assemblies, and production fixtures.

Dynamic Referencing on the Shop Floor

Traditional metrology setups can be sensitive to vibration or relative movement between the scanner, part, and measurement equipment.

MetraSCAN uses dynamic referencing so the C-Track continuously observes the relevant reference frame during measurement.

That makes the system useful in production cells, assembly areas, automotive workshops, tooling inspection, and heavy-industry environments.

Dynamic referencing does not make environmental effects irrelevant, but it reduces dependence on a perfectly static scanner-to-part setup.

Blue-Laser Capture for Industrial Surfaces

BLACK2 uses 46 blue laser lines plus one extra line and an automatic shutter system.

Blue-laser scanning is useful for industrial geometry because it can handle many dark, machined, and reflective surfaces with less preparation than broad white-light systems.

Highly reflective, transparent, or optically difficult surfaces can still require adjustments or preparation.

The 310 × 350 mm capture area and 2.8-million-measurement/s rate are designed to balance inspection density with coverage on medium and large components.

Measurement Resolution vs Mesh Resolution

FARO CREAFORM publishes both 0.025 mm measurement resolution and 0.100 mm mesh resolution.

These values describe different stages of the measurement workflow and should not be treated as interchangeable.

Accuracy, measurement resolution, mesh resolution, and volumetric accuracy answer different questions. For a deeper explanation, see 3D Scanner Accuracy vs Resolution.

This distinction is especially important when comparing metrology scanners with lower-cost scanners that may advertise very small point spacing without equivalent system-level accuracy testing.

Certified and Traceable Metrology Workflow

FARO CREAFORM states that performance testing is carried out in ISO/IEC 17025-accredited calibration laboratories.

Acceptance testing is based on VDI/VDE 2634 Part 3 and ISO 10360.

Each MetraSCAN system is delivered with personalized certification and documented test results.

That traceability is why BLACK2 should be compared with industrial metrology systems rather than ranked only by one headline accuracy number.

Software and Inspection Workflow

MetraSCAN BLACK2 works with Creaform.OS and the Creaform Metrology Suite.

The workflow supports inspection, scan-to-CAD, dynamic tracking, and data exchange with major metrology and CAD platforms.

Compatible Software Listed by FARO CREAFORM

• Geomagic Solutions
• PolyWorks
• Metrolog X4
• SpatialAnalyzer
• Verisurf
• CATIA V5
• SOLIDWORKS
• Creo
• Siemens NX
• Solid Edge
• Autodesk Inventor
• PowerINSPECT

Output Formats

• DAE
• FBX
• MA
• OBJ
• PLY
• STL
• TXT
• WRL
• X3D
• X3DZ
• ZPR
• 3MF

For reverse-engineering workflow comparisons beyond metrology inspection, see Best 3D Scanners for Reverse Engineering in 2026.

Comparison Table: Industrial Metrology and Optical-Tracking Scanners

These figures are not directly interchangeable; test methods, volumetric performance, tracking architecture, calibration, software, and part size all matter.

MetraSCAN BLACK2 vs MetraSCAN BLACK+ Elite

The MetraSCAN BLACK2 vs MetraSCAN BLACK+ Elite comparison is the most important same-family upgrade question.

Both publish 0.025 mm accuracy, 0.025 mm measurement resolution, 0.100 mm mesh resolution, and 0.025 mm HandyPROBE accuracy.

BLACK2 moves beyond BLACK+ Elite with:

• 2.8M measurements/s instead of 1.8M
• 46 blue laser lines instead of 30
• 6.0 m C-Track working distance instead of 4.2 m
• Recommended part size up to 10 m instead of 6 m
• 46.7 m³ tracked measurement volume
• True stand-alone scanning
• Automatic shutter
• New setup-assistance functions

FARO CREAFORM describes BLACK2 as roughly 56% faster in data acquisition than the previous generation.

Choose BLACK+ Elite when an existing installation or pricing favors the older platform. Choose BLACK2 for stand-alone flexibility, larger tracked coverage, and higher acquisition speed.

MetraSCAN BLACK2 vs Artec Point II

The MetraSCAN BLACK2 vs Artec Point II comparison is optical-tracker flexibility versus a lighter target-based handheld workflow.

The official Artec Point II publishes 0.020 mm accuracy, 0.020 mm resolution, up to 5.8 million measurements/s, a 700 × 600 mm capture area, 550 mm depth of field, 570 g scanner weight, and ISO 17025-accredited metrology testing.

Artec Point II is far lighter than the 1.49 kg MetraSCAN scanner and captures a wider area per pass.

MetraSCAN BLACK2 counters with a dedicated C-Track architecture, 46.7 m³ flexible tracked volume, dynamic referencing, stand-alone scanning, and HandyPROBE integration.

Choose Artec Point II when a compact target-based handheld scanner and high acquisition speed are the priority. Choose MetraSCAN BLACK2 when shop-floor dynamic tracking, large measurement volumes, and scan-plus-probe integration are more important.

MetraSCAN BLACK2 vs SCANOLOGY TrackScan Sharp-S

The MetraSCAN BLACK2 vs TrackScan Sharp-S comparison is a direct industrial optical-tracking matchup.

The official SCANOLOGY TrackScan Sharp-S publishes up to 0.025 mm accuracy, 0.020 mm resolution, up to 6.0 million measurements/s on its current product page, an 800 × 700 mm scanning area, 300 mm stand-off, and large tracked measurement volumes.

TrackScan Sharp-S emphasizes very wide capture and large-volume tracking.

MetraSCAN BLACK2 emphasizes 3-in-1 flexibility: C-Track scanning, independent stand-alone scanning, and optional HandyPROBE measurement in one FARO CREAFORM metrology ecosystem.

The better choice depends on tracker layout, inspection software, probing needs, calibration/service support, and part size.

MetraSCAN BLACK2 vs Revopoint Trackit SR

The MetraSCAN BLACK2 vs Revopoint Trackit SR comparison spans different price and support classes, but both address optical-tracking inspection and reverse engineering.

The indexed Revopoint Trackit SR publishes 0.020 mm single-frame accuracy, 0.025 mm + 0.04 mm × L tracking-system volumetric accuracy, up to 2.0 million points/s, a 3 m³ tracking volume, Wi-Fi 6, marker-free optical-tracking mode, and stand-alone marker scanning.

Trackit SR is more accessible for workshops, reverse engineering, automotive work, and smaller quality-control teams.

MetraSCAN BLACK2 is the stronger choice when traceable industrial metrology, 46.7 m³ tracked volume, dynamic shop-floor referencing, optional tactile probing, and FARO CREAFORM calibration/service infrastructure are required.

For automotive-focused alternatives, see Best 3D Scanners for Automotive Parts in 2026.

MetraSCAN BLACK2 vs HandySCAN EVO Elite

The MetraSCAN BLACK2 vs HandySCAN EVO Elite decision is primarily tracked optical CMM workflow versus independent handheld metrology.

The official HandySCAN 3D EVO Series publishes up to 0.020 mm accuracy for EVO Elite, 2.8 million measurements/s, 46 blue laser lines plus one extra line and laser pointer, a 200–750 mm working range, 550 mm depth of field, 1.04 kg scanner weight, and 12 MP camera.

HandySCAN is better when the user wants a self-contained target-based handheld scanner without deploying a C-Track.

MetraSCAN BLACK2 is better when dynamic referencing, large tracked measurement volumes, and integrated probing are central to the inspection process.

Lower-Cost Reverse-Engineering Alternatives

Not every reverse-engineering job requires an optical CMM.

The indexed Revopoint MetroX Pro is a useful option for smaller engineering parts, with 0.020 mm published single-frame accuracy and several laser/structured-light modes.

The Creality CR-Scan Raptor Pro covers a broader range of object sizes using laser and NIR workflows.

These scanners can offer strong value for CAD reconstruction and workshop measurement, but they are not direct substitutes for a certified tracked metrology system when traceable production inspection is required.

For a focused lower-cost comparison, see MetroX Pro vs Raptor Pro vs EINSTAR 2.

FARO CREAFORM MetraSCAN BLACK2 Price and Availability

FARO CREAFORM sells MetraSCAN BLACK2 through a quotation-based industrial sales process.

The product was officially launched on August 4, 2026 and is currently part of the active MetraSCAN 3D lineup.

For industrial purchases, total workflow cost matters because software, calibration, training, probing, and service can materially affect deployment cost.

Practical Limitations and Buying Considerations

• Pricing is quotation-based rather than transparent retail pricing.
• The scanner weighs 1.49 kg, heavier than some standalone handheld competitors.
• Full C-Track deployment requires additional tracker hardware and workspace.
• The 0.025 mm figure is not the same as large-volume system accuracy.
• Volumetric accuracy reaches 0.100 mm at the largest published 46.7 m³ volume.
• Stand-alone mode uses a different 0.020 mm + 0.040 mm/m accuracy specification.
• HandyPROBE is optional.
• No RGB color or texture capture is specified.
• USB 3.0 tethering is the published connection standard.
• The system is optimized for dimensional metrology rather than photorealistic digital-twin capture.
• A metrology workstation and inspection software may represent a substantial part of total system cost.

Frequently Asked Questions