NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI, May 27, 2025 – Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division and PRAGMA have expanded their partnership to bring flexibility to Non-Destructive Testing (NDT). By connecting PRAGMA NDT instruments and sensors with Hexagon’s portable metrology equipment – such as Absolute Arms and Leica laser trackers – manufacturers can inspect parts without moving or disassembly. This setup uses 3D positioning to help map NDT defects, benefiting from digital surfaces and CAD models. This change updates standard inspection routines by allowing on-site checks and saving time.
The portability of this combined solution enables engineers and technicians to perform a wide range of NDT inspections on-location – including thickness monitoring, corrosion mapping, spot weld inspection, composite flaw detection, surface defect analysis, additive manufacturing validation, wrought volumetric flaw identification, full penetration weld examination, and cast volumetric flaw detection – and maintaining precise positioning within the part’s coordinate system.
“We are happy to be strengthening our partnership with PRAGMA to deliver a pioneering new solution to the market,” said Brian Winters, North America product manager for absolute arms at Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division. “Our combined solution brings NDT innovation directly to the part. “For example, if engineers need to assess the integrity of an aircraft wing component or a structural component inside the cabin, they can now do so much faster and with precise absolute positioning – eliminating the previously time-consuming process of recording data in strips and manually stitching it together.”
Non-destructive testing (NDT) enables manufacturers to inspect internal structures and identify defects without altering or dismantling the component. When integrated with Hexagon’s metrology systems, the process provides defect detection alongside spatial positioning within the part’s coordinate system. This combination allows for location-specific analysis using portable equipment, improving inspection efficiency compared to traditional fixed NDT setups.
Under this agreement, Hexagon will distribute PRAGMA’s NDT products and solutions across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The partnership capitalizes on Hexagon’s modular Absolute Arm RA8 configuration, which allows for additional sensors to transform the portable arm into a multipurpose tool that combines metrology with NDT capabilities.
“We’ve spent the last years identifying opportunities and demonstrating the capabilities of NDT combined with metrology technology. The market demand for absolute position encoding of NDT data is substantial, particularly for manufacturers who need to get ahead of internal product defects,” Winters added.
François Mainguy, PRAGMA’s CEO, stated: “The timing is right, as Hexagon benefits from niche technologies like ours to support its innovation path, while PRAGMA is looking to expand its distribution networks. Together, we’re helping manufacturers in aerospace, automotive, and other critical industries detect issues that would otherwise remain hidden until failure.”
The technology is valuable for maintenance and repair operations, reverse engineering, and analysis of parts that have been in service. The industries benefiting from this integration include aerospace, automotive, composites manufacturing, wind energy, nuclear power, and defense sectors.
“The combined capabilities of both companies are already strong, and we are prepared to address even more customer challenges,” added Danny Perron, PRAGMA’s head of applications. “Our technology can analyze materials ranging from metal alloys to advanced composites, detecting flaws as small as 0.25mm in some cases.”
Hexagon will offer kits for aerospace and automotive applications, as well as retrofit options for existing Absolute Arms and Leica laser tracker customers who wish to add NDT capabilities to their current equipment.
“We invite interested manufacturers to see this groundbreaking technology in action at the upcoming Hexagon Live event,” said Winters. “This partnership expands Hexagon’s continued innovation around inspection, quality assurance, and reverse engineering – now allowing customers to look INSIDE parts without sectioning or destroying them.”
Source: Hexagon
About PRAGMA
Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Québec City, Canada, PRAGMA develops portable instruments and integrated systems for non-destructive testing (NDT). The company offers a range of hardware and software tools, including PragmaFlex, PragmaPod, and Pragma3D, which support inspection workflows across multiple NDT methods such as ultrasound, eddy current, laser scanning, and laser tracking. These solutions are used in industries such as aerospace, automotive, composites, and pressure systems, including storage tanks and process piping. PRAGMA focuses on enabling accurate, field-ready inspection technologies for complex industrial applications. The company continues to expand its capabilities through partnerships, including a strategic collaboration with Hexagon to advance portable NDT and metrology solutions. PRAGMA’s products are designed for flexible, efficient use in inspection tasks that require both precision and mobility.
About Hexagon
Hexagon AB, founded in 1975 and headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, provides digital reality solutions by integrating sensors, software, and autonomous technologies. Its products and services are used across sectors such as manufacturing, construction, mining, agriculture, aerospace, automotive, and defense. Core offerings include reality capture, intelligent positioning systems, industrial design, and situational intelligence tools. Over the years, it has pursued a strategy of growth through acquisition, completing over 170 acquisitions since 2000. As of December 31, 2024, the company reported net sales of approximately €5.4 billion and employed around 24,800 people across 50 countries. The company continues to expand its global customer base, reflecting its commitment to innovation and digital transformation.