With VGSTUDIO MAX 2026.2, Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence's Stationary Metrology Division accelerates industrial CT quality inspection. The new software version automates multi-part measurement technology, allowing measurements to be defined once and applied to complete batches of CT scans. This significantly reduces manual effort and increases efficiency in high-throughput inspection processes. The version is complemented by a completely redesigned NextGen product portfolio for CT and 3D data analysis.
For manufacturers in the aerospace, automotive, medical technology, and electronics sectors, consistently high dimensional accuracy throughout the entire production process is crucial. Conventional CT inspection processes reach their limits, especially with high quantities. Measurement plans must be created individually for each component, objects must be manually aligned across various scans, and results from multiple files must be compiled. This high manual effort costs time, increases the likelihood of errors, is hardly scalable, and delays decisions – especially in production environments where speed and efficiency are critical competitive factors.
"With VGSTUDIO MAX 2026.2, we are addressing exactly this issue," explains Jan Gräser, Product Manager at Hexagon's Stationary Metrology Division. "Users define their measurements once, and the software then automatically and consistently applies them to each part of the batch – a topic that has been repeatedly reflected back to us from practice and that we are now addressing consistently."
Automated multi-part measurement technology and accelerated inspection processes
The centerpiece of VGSTUDIO MAX 2026.2 is the new multi-part workflow. This keeps all CM objects consistent across all parts of a batch automatically. Users no longer need to manually update changes, resulting in a significant time gain: both inspection preparation and the entire project creation can be shortened by up to 50 percent.
This is made possible by a new multi-part management system that allows multiple CT scans to be loaded, measured, and compared together in a project. The tedious switching between individual files is eliminated, and deviations between components become immediately visible. At the same time, the workflow remains flexible: multiple measurement groups can be defined in parallel, individual elements can be detached if necessary, and part-specific exceptions can be set – for example, if a component in the batch should deviate from the norm.
This workflow also directly integrates the CM overview and reporting, which provides quality control charts and values for statistical process control (SPC). This enables a continuous, robust, and simple measurement programming without the need to switch applications. Through the combination of automatic synchronization, one-time measurement definition, and central scene management, Hexagon positions the new workflow as a thoughtful, seamless solution for quality teams with high inspection volumes.
A portfolio for every team
With VGSTUDIO MAX 2026.2, Hexagon also introduces the newly structured NextGen product portfolio. The product line includes five editions that are organized along typical workflows in industrial CT and 3D data analysis.
VGSTUDIO MAX Essential is aimed at users who want to perform visual inspections and basic analyses. The edition includes, among other things, a sub-voxel accurate surface definition, basic measurement functions, a CT reconstruction, deep segmentation, and tools for rapid detection and visualization of porosity.
With VGSTUDIO MAX Dimensions, all advanced analysis and measurement functions are available in an integrated solution. These include complete GD&T support, wall thickness analysis, target-actual comparisons, deformation analyses, CAD import with PMI, reverse engineering, and a clamping simulation. Functions like "Multipart Group" also allow for efficient creation and management of complex measurement plans across multiple components.
VGSTUDIO MAX Analysis is intended for applications in foundry and material analysis. This edition combines voxel-based evaluation methods such as porosity and inclusion analysis, fiber orientation, as well as foam and powder analysis, and complements these with digital volume correlation. With the integrated volume networking, a direct transition to downstream simulation processes is possible.
With VGSTUDIO MAX Battery, Hexagon specifically addresses the requirements of the battery industry. The edition combines the analysis functions of the analysis edition with specific tools for battery applications.
VGSTUDIO MAX Pro represents the complete expansion stage, encompassing the entire system with the full range of functions and is aimed at users who have the highest demands for flexibility and performance.
Further extensions, portfolio expansion, and availability
VGSTUDIO MAX 2026.2 offers a range of additional technical extensions. These include an enhanced GelSight-based profile roughness analysis, improved surface detection, support for the ASTM E57 point cloud format, and a revised deformation analysis with a new user interface. For large datasets, a "Fast Mode" for porosity and inclusion analyses is also available, significantly speeding up the evaluation. At the same time, the NextGen architecture is being expanded to VGMETROLOGY, which will soon be available in the Essential and Pro editions. Existing customers with a maintenance contract will also gain access to integrated tutorial videos that enable faster onboarding to new features.
With the new portfolio structure, Hexagon consolidates the functionality of its CT software into five clearly defined editions. Depending on the configuration, customers can benefit from price advantages of up to 80 percent compared to the previous product structure. Customers with an active maintenance contract will receive a free migration to the new portfolio structure in the first year.
Contact:
