Optimax has launched the AURA K4D, a robotic inspection platform that integrates AI-driven defect detection with non-contact surface metrology into a single automated cell. The system made its public debut at MACH 2026 in the UK, combining the Kitov CORE+ robotic arm with the 4D InSpec Surface Gauge to flag, characterise, and dimensionally measure surface flaws in one closed-loop process without operator intervention.
What's new here is the elimination of the handoff between inspection and measurement. Parts previously shuttled manually between a visual inspection station and a metrology lab now stay in one cell while both functions run in sequence. When the system detects a defect, it automatically switches to the optical precision head for quantification. Every flaw is recorded with its precise coordinates, so rework teams can locate and address issues after the part leaves the cell.
The Kitov CORE+ provides the handling side of the system. Its six-axis robotic arm and rotating table accommodate parts up to 800mm in diameter and 40kg. CAD2SCAN software generates inspection plans directly from CAD files, and the system uses a combination of 2D and 3D machine vision with AI and deep learning to detect pits, scratches, burrs, and machine marks that standard sensors typically miss.
The 4D InSpec head uses dynamic interferometry, capturing all phase data in a single snapshot in under one second. Unlike structured-light systems, it is immune to shop-floor vibration, which means it delivers lab-grade surface data directly on the production line. The measurable depth range runs from 5μm to 2.5mm, with a vertical resolution of 2μm to 2.5μm and a field of view of 7.7mm x 7.7mm. An XL Module extends depth range to 9mm.
Optimax cites automotive, medical devices, and power generation as primary target sectors, with applications including drive train components, orthopaedic implants, and precision manifolds. Pricing was not disclosed at launch.
