Automated Precision
API Metrology is a privately held US precision metrology company that designs and sells laser trackers, laser interferometers, and 3D scanning systems to global manufacturers in aerospace, automotive, machine tools, and other industrial sectors, supported by ISO 17025 accredited calibration services across offices in 8 countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersRockville, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Automated Precision does
Automated Precision Inc. (dba API Metrology) is a privately held US precision metrology company founded in 1987 and headquartered in Rockville, Maryland. It designs and manufactures laser-based dimensional measurement instruments — most notably the Radian Laser Tracker family (including the compact iLT Integrated Laser Tracker), the award-winning XD Laser Interferometer, the vProbe tactile probe, the iScan 3D scanning series, the API ProGAGE portable CMM arm, the Rapid Scan smart factory scanning system, and the Dynamic 9D Ladar sensor — together with supporting accessories such as SMRs, automated tracker targets, the Ballbar diagnostic tool, and the SwivelCheck calibration instrument. The product portfolio is anchored by deep optical and laser engineering IP accumulated over nearly four decades under founder and CEO Kam Lau.
API sells primarily to enterprise industrial customers in ten verticals, with aerospace, automotive, and machine tools identified as primary segments and energy, semiconductor, robotics, military & defense, heavy machinery, general manufacturing, and transportation as secondary ones. The company operates a 'globally-local' model with direct offices in eight countries (United States, Brazil, Germany, France, China, India, South Korea, and Mexico), enabling local quote-based sales, on-site demonstrations, and ISO 17025 / A2LA accredited portable metrology inspection and calibration services. Revenue is generated from hardware sales (laser trackers, interferometers, scanners, accessories), calibration products, professional services (reverse engineering, first article inspection, production measurement, prototype inspection, metrology training), and equipment rentals. No external funding rounds, M&A, named customers, or AI/ML capability signals are disclosed in the source data.
Automated Precision firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Automated Precision
- Legal name
- Automated Precision Inc.
- Website
- https://apisensor.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- API Metrology is a privately held US precision metrology company that designs and sells laser trackers, laser interferometers, and 3D scanning systems to global manufacturers in aerospace, automotive, machine tools, and other industrial sectors, supported by ISO 17025 accredited calibration services across offices in 8 countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Automated Precision industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Precision Metrology Equipment
- NAICS
- Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)
- SIC
- Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Metrology & Dimensional Measurement (CMMs, laser trackers, gauges, surface/roughness) (IMAGAFAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Machine Vision & Optical Sensing (Cameras, 3D vision, LiDAR, illumination) (IMAGAFAB), Metrology & Inspection Systems (CMM, Laser Trackers, Optical Comparators) (IMAAAHAC), Metrology & Scanning Services (Inspection Labs, On-Site Measurement) (IMAAAHAJ), Calibration Services & Standards (Calibration labs, reference standards, traceability services) (IMAGAFAH)
Keywords
Where Automated Precision is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Rockville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices8 records
Markets served
Automated Precision business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Measurement Equipment Sales: Sale of laser trackers (Radian series), XD Laser interferometers, scanning arms, iScan systems, and accessories (SMRs, targets, probes). One-time hardware purchase model.
- Calibration Products: Sale of calibration equipment including Ballbar, SwivelCheck, and related calibration accessories and tools.
- Metrology Services: ISO 17025 accredited portable metrology inspection and calibration services including on-site calibration, reverse engineering, first article inspection, production measurement, prototype inspection, metrology training, and equipment rental.
- Equipment Rental: Rental of measuring equipment for customers who need temporary access to metrology tools.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom pricing based on equipment configuration and service requirements |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Automated Precision product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Automated Precision (API Metrology) designs, manufactures, and services portable laser-based dimensional metrology equipment — primarily the Radian and iLT laser trackers, the XD laser interferometer, 3D scanning arms, and supporting calibration tools — and provides ISO 17025 accredited portable inspection, calibration, reverse engineering, and metrology training services to industrial manufacturers worldwide.
Product overview
Automated Precision (API Metrology) offers a unified portfolio of precision measurement equipment and ISO 17025 accredited calibration services. The core product line centers on Radian Laser Trackers (including the compact iLT Integrated Laser Tracker) for large-volume 3D measurement, complemented by the XD Laser Interferometer for machine tool calibration and straightness measurement. Supporting hardware includes the vProbe, API ProGAGE/Scanner portable CMM arm, iScan 3D scanning series, Rapid Scan smart factory solutions, Dynamic 9D Ladar, and calibration tools (Ballbar, SwivelCheck, SMRs). The company provides comprehensive services including reverse engineering, first article inspection, production measurement, and calibration services at globally-local calibration labs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Radian: Radian Laser Tracker series for precision measurement
- iLT Laser Tracker
- XD Laser
- vProbe
- iScan
- Dynamic 9D Ladar
- SwivelCheck
- Ballbar
- Rapid Scan
Products and services
- Radian Laser Tracker Portable laser tracking system for large-scale dimensional measurement, alignment, inspection, and calibration across aerospace, automotive, and industrial manufacturing.
- iLT Integrated Laser Tracker Compact integrated laser tracker marketed as the world's smallest, offering portable precision 3D measurement for manufacturing and inspection environments.
- XD Laser Interferometer Laser interferometer used to measure straightness, squareness, and other geometric parameters of machine tools and large structures.
- API ProGAGE and Scanner (Portable CMM Arm) Portable CMM arm with integrated scanning capabilities for dimensional measurement and inspection of parts and components.
- iScan 3D Scanning System 3D scanning system used to digitize parts and components for inspection, reverse engineering, and quality control applications.
- Rapid Scan High-speed scanning solution designed for smart factory production measurement and quality control applications.
- Dynamic 9D Ladar Dynamic 9D laser detection and ranging (ladar) sensor providing advanced tracking and measurement capabilities for precision metrology.
- Ballbar Calibration and diagnostic tool used to test circularity, positioning repeatability, and overall performance of machine tools.
- SwivelCheck Calibration tool for verifying rotary axis performance and maintaining accuracy of laser tracker systems.
- Reverse Engineering Services Service using API's laser trackers and 3D scanners to capture existing parts and produce CAD models for legacy components, replacement parts, or design analysis.
- Inspection and Alignment Services Onsite precision inspection and alignment of large-scale equipment such as turbines, machine tools, and production lines using laser-based metrology.
- First Article Inspection Services Dimensional inspection of first article parts against design specifications to validate manufacturing processes before production release.
- Production Measurement Services In-production dimensional measurement service enabling real-time verification and adjustment of parts during manufacturing.
- Prototype Inspection Services Dimensional inspection of prototype parts and components against design intent, including reverse engineering where needed.
- ISO 17025 Accredited Calibration Services Accredited calibration of API and competitor laser trackers and metrology equipment, performed at globally-local calibration labs and onsite.
- Metrology Training Structured training programs for customers on laser tracker, interferometer, and 3D scanning operation and applied metrology workflows.
- Measuring Equipment Rental Rental of API laser trackers, scanners, and related equipment for customers needing short-term access to metrology tools.
Quantifiable outcome
- 0.18 mm tolerance achieved in 30-minute measurement workflow for large motor housing coaxiality inspection
Companies that use Automated Precision
Customer profileSegments10 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Automated Precision technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
Automated Precision partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Automated Precision competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Nikon Metrology: Industrial measurement arm of Nikon offering laser radar, CMMs, and CT scanning solutions; directly comparable to API in large-volume precision measurement for aerospace and energy applications.
- Hexagon AB (Leica Geosystems): Global industrial metrology leader via its Leica Geosystems division, directly competing with API in laser trackers and portable large-volume measurement while offering a much broader software-and-hardware portfolio.
- Mitutoyo: Established Japanese manufacturer of precision measurement instruments, including hand tools, CMMs, and vision systems, addressing the same industrial QA customers as API across manufacturing verticals.
- Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology: Industrial metrology division of Zeiss offering CMMs, optical systems, and increasingly portable measurement solutions; competes with API in precision dimensional measurement across aerospace and automotive customers.
Direct peers
- Creaform (AMETEK): Portable 3D scanner specialist serving aerospace, automotive, and reverse engineering use cases — directly overlapping with API's iScan scanning line and reverse engineering services.
- Renishaw: UK-based precision measurement specialist providing probing systems, calibration tools, and laser encoder products used in machine tool and aerospace applications — overlapping with API's Ballbar, SwivelCheck, and interferometer offerings.
- FARO Technologies: Direct competitor in portable 3D measurement, offering laser trackers, 3D scanners, and software targeting aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing customers with overlapping use cases to API's Radian and iScan lines.
Emerging players
- Trimek: European metrology specialist focused on large-volume dimensional measurement and 3D scanning for industrial customers, with overlapping aerospace and heavy machinery use cases to API.
- Verisurf Software: Measurement software provider that integrates with multiple laser tracker brands including API, Hexagon, and FARO, competing at the software layer that surrounds API's hardware installations.
Regional players
- RPS Metrology: UK-based portable metrology and laser tracker service provider, comparable to API's ISO 17025 accredited calibration and inspection service business in a specific European geography.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Automated Precision social profiles
Digital presenceAutomated Precision compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Automated Precision financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Automated Precision leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Automated Precision funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Automated Precision M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Automated Precision
What does Automated Precision do?
Automated Precision (API Metrology) designs, manufactures, and services portable laser-based dimensional metrology equipment — primarily the Radian and iLT laser trackers, the XD laser interferometer, 3D scanning arms, and supporting calibration tools — and provides ISO 17025 accredited portable inspection, calibration, reverse engineering, and metrology training services to industrial manufacturers worldwide.
Is Automated Precision a public or private company?
Automated Precision is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Automated Precision founded?
Automated Precision was founded in 1987. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Automated Precision based?
Automated Precision is headquartered in Rockville, United States, in the North America region.
How does Automated Precision make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Measurement Equipment Sales are the primary driver. The others are calibration Products, metrology Services and equipment Rental.
Who are Automated Precision's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Nikon Metrology, Hexagon AB (Leica Geosystems), Mitutoyo and Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology. Direct peers are Creaform (AMETEK), Renishaw and FARO Technologies. Emerging players are Trimek and Verisurf Software. RPS Metrology is listed as a regional player.
Does Automated Precision have an API?
No public API is recorded for Automated Precision.
What industry is Automated Precision in?
Automated Precision's product category is Precision Metrology Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGAFAD, Metrology & Dimensional Measurement (CMMs, laser trackers, gauges, surface/roughness), with a secondary code of IMAGAFAB, Machine Vision & Optical Sensing (Cameras, 3D vision, LiDAR, illumination). Its NAICS code is 3345 and its SIC code is 3829.