4D Technology, a subsidiary of Onto Innovation at the forefront of vibration-immune, instantaneous 3D measurements of surfaces, announces an alliance with Rizse, a developer of specialized drones for aircraft inspection. Together, the two organizations will develop the 4D InSpec® MX, an extension of 4D Technology’s popular 3D surface gauge. The 4D InSpec MX will enable companies in the aerospace and defense sectors to conduct high-resolution measurements of large-scale surface features to find and quantify damage, such as such as lightning strikes, hail dents or bird impacts.

4D Technology uses proprietary methods to enable instantaneous high-precision 3D surface measurements in difficult environments. The company has built systems to measure telescope optics, including the James Webb Space Telescope. The JWST was measured in a cryogenic chamber with nanometer-level precision—by instruments with acquisition speeds as low as 30 millionths of a second. The line of 4D InSpec handheld surface defect gauges advances aviation engine inspection by providing simple, shop-floor quantification of critical defects and component geometries.

Rizse is an advanced robotics and artificial intelligence firm involved in the development and sale of an innovative, proprietary drone technology platform. The company also develops and deploys emerging technologies for the inspection sector, including best-in-class artificial intelligence analytics and predictive maintenance.