LIMESS · Optical measurement systems · Component testing · material testing · 3D scanning

What LIMESS · Optical measurement systems · Component testing · material testing · 3D scanning does

LIMESS Messtechnik u. Software GmbH is a privately held German limited liability company founded in 1998 as a spin-off from the University of Karlsruhe. Headquartered in Krefeld, Germany, with a staff of around five, the company develops, integrates, and supplies camera-based optical measurement systems for non-contact analysis of strain, deformation, motion, vibration, and geometry. Its product portfolio is organized around four core technology platforms: the Q400 Digital Image Correlation (DIC) system for full-field 2D and 3D strain and deformation measurement; the RTSS Videoextensometer for optical strain measurement in tensile and fatigue testing; the LIMtrack/LIMtrack-6D suite for 2D and 3D marker tracking and motion analysis; and Surphaser high-precision 3D laser scanners for geometry acquisition. Supporting products include StrobeCAM for vibration analysis, ThermoESA for thermoelastic stress analysis, and specialized modules such as Q400-fatigue, RTSS-hysteresis, and RTSS-creep. The company also offers contract measurement services, 3D scanning services, testing-machine modernization, and custom development.

LIMESS operates a sales-led, technical-consulting go-to-market model anchored in direct engagement (phone, email, on-site demos, live demonstrations, quotations) and supported by participation in industry trade fairs such as Materials Testing conferences, Lightweight Construction Days, and the Control trade fair. Revenue streams combine hardware sales of optical measurement systems and accessories, one-time software licenses, professional measurement and modernization services, and custom development engagements. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Strategic partnerships underpin the offering: a 2010 cooperation with Dantec Dynamics integrates Istra4D evaluation software with LIMESS Q400 hardware, and a 2013 distribution agreement with Surphaser delivers 3D laser scanners to the DACH market.

The customer base is enterprise-grade and spans automotive (BMW, Daimler, Volkswagen, Porsche, ADAC), aerospace (Airbus, Boeing, DLR, BAE Systems, MTU Aerospace, Agusta, PremiumAerotec), industrial manufacturing (Siemens, Alstom, Element Materials Technology), and global research and education (CERN, Fraunhofer, TU Dortmund, RWTH Aachen). Automotive and aerospace are identified as primary verticals. With hundreds of LIMESS systems deployed worldwide across 25+ years and no external investors or parent company, the company exhibits the founder-led German Mittelstand profile typical of specialized industrial metrology providers.

Name

LIMESS · Optical measurement systems · Component testing · material testing · 3D scanning

Legal name

LIMESS Messtechnik u. Software GmbH

Website

https://limess.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

LIMESS is a founder-led German Mittelstand company developing camera-based optical measurement systems (DIC, video extensometry, motion tracking, vibration analysis, 3D laser scanning) for non-contact strain, deformation, and geometry analysis, serving automotive, aerospace, industrial, and research customers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Optical Measurement Systems / Metrology

NAICS

Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519), Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513)

SIC

Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829)

akta.pro primary industry

Machine Vision & Optical Sensing (Cameras, 3D vision, LiDAR, illumination) (IMAGAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Metrology & Dimensional Measurement (CMMs, laser trackers, gauges, surface/roughness) (IMAGAFAD), Test & Measurement Equipment (Oscilloscopes, DAQ, signal analyzers, calibration benches) (IMAGAFAC)

Keywords

• Optical measurement systems
• Digital image correlation
• Video extensometry
• 3D laser scanning
• Non-contact strain measurement

Headquarters

HQ city

Krefeld

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Optical Measurement Systems (Hardware): Sale of camera-based measurement systems including Q400 DIC systems, RTSS video extensometers, LIMtrack motion analysis systems, StrobeCAM vibration analysis systems, and Surphaser 3D laser scanners. Systems are modular and can be configured with different camera options.
2. Measurement Services: Contract measurement services including 2D/3D deformation analysis, tensile testing with DIC/video extensometer, motion analysis, 3D digitization, and vibration/modal analysis. Also includes project-based rental of measurement systems.
3. Software Licenses and Updates: Product-specific software downloads and updates available to registered customers. Customer registration and account activation by LIMESS required for software access.
4. System Modernization and Upgrades: Upgrading customer testing machines with LIMESS measurement technology including RTSS video extensometer and Q400 DIC systems. Modernization of testing machine control, drive, and testing software conducted with long-term partners.
5. Custom Development: Customer-specific development of individual solutions including software, image processing, hardware, and complete measurement systems. Also includes feasibility and project studies.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

LIMESS develops, integrates, and supplies camera-based optical measurement systems for non-contact analysis of strain, motion, vibration, and geometry. Core offerings include Q400 Digital Image Correlation systems, RTSS video extensometers, LIMtrack motion analysis software, StrobeCAM vibration analysis, Surphaser 3D laser scanners, and ThermoESA stress analysis systems, along with professional measurement services, testing machine modernization, and custom development for automotive, aerospace, industrial, and research customers.

Product overview

LIMESS develops, integrates, and supplies optical measurement systems for non-contact analysis of strain, motion, vibration, and geometry. The product portfolio centers on camera-based optical metrology technologies organized around four core platforms: (1) Q400 Digital Image Correlation systems for full-field 2D/3D strain and deformation measurement; (2) RTSS Videoextensometer for optical strain measurement in materials testing; (3) LIMtrack/LIMtrack-6D motion analysis software for 2D and 3D marker tracking; and (4) Surphaser 3D laser scanners for high-precision geometry acquisition. Supporting products include StrobeCAM for vibration analysis, ThermoESA for stress analysis, and specialized add-on modules like Q400-fatigue (high-frequency fatigue testing), RTSS-hysteresis (hysteresis curve measurement), and RTSS-creep (multi-specimen creep testing). LIMESS also offers professional services including 3D scanning, deformation measurement, testing machine modernization, and custom development. All systems are manufactured in Germany with over 25 years of experience in optical measurement technology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Q400 Digital Image Correlation System Full-field measurement system for strain, deformation, and displacement using 2D and 3D Digital Image Correlation (DIC). Camera-based non-contact optical measurement technology tracks surface patterns to calculate displacement fields with high spatial resolution. Designed for materials testing, component testing, and deformation analysis in automotive, aerospace, and research applications.
• RTSS Videoextensometer Optical strain measurement system for materials testing and tensile tests. Camera-based video extensometer measures strain without physical contact, achieving accuracy class 0.2 (ISO 9513) with a 300mm image field. Capable of high-speed testing up to 1000 Hz for fatigue applications. Extended versions support hysteresis and creep testing.
• LIMtrack 2D Motion Analysis Software for 2D motion analysis and marker tracking. Analyzes high-speed video sequences to measure positions, velocities, accelerations, distances, and angles for kinematic investigations. Used in automotive safety testing, crash analysis, and biomechanics research.
• LIMtrack-6D 3D Motion Analysis 3D motion analysis and marker tracking system using a single camera with coded markers. Measures 3D coordinates, motions, and angles accurately for kinematic investigations including whiplash testing. Enables 3D measurement with simplified single-camera setup.
• StrobeCAM Vibration Analysis System Visualization and measurement system for vibrations and resonance mode shapes. Video stroboscope enables slow-motion visualization of oscillating components without requiring a physical strobe light. Used for modal analysis and structural vibration characterization in aerospace and mechanical engineering.
• Surphaser 3D Laser Scanner High-precision terrestrial 3D laser scanner for geometry acquisition and 3D digitization. Available in multiple models (USR 75, USR 80, 100, 400) with measurement ranges from 0.25mm to 300m and sub-millimeter noise levels as low as 25µm. Features 360-degree capture and markerless multi-scan registration.
• ThermoESA Stress Analysis System Thermoelastic stress analysis system for full-field investigation of mechanical stresses. Uses infrared technology to measure temperature changes related to stress states in materials. Enables non-contact assessment of stress distribution across component surfaces.
• 3D Scanning Service Contract 3D scanning service for large components using Surphaser laser scanners. Measurement volumes from 1x1x1m to 200x200x50m with sub-millimeter accuracy for point clouds, STL, and evaluation reports. Used for quality control, reverse engineering, and BIM documentation.
• Deformation Measurement Service Contract measurement service using Q400 3D-DIC system for 2D and 3D component deformation under thermal, mechanical, or fatigue loading. Provides measurement data for customers without requiring investment in their own measurement systems.
• Testing Machine Modernization Upgrading and modernizing existing testing machines with RTSS Videoextensometer and Q400 DIC systems for improved materials and component testing capabilities. Includes modernization of testing machine control, drive, and testing software, conducted with long-term partners.
• Custom Development Customer-specific development of individual solutions including software, image processing, hardware, and complete measurement systems. Includes project and feasibility studies for specialized measurement requirements.
• Q400-fatigue DIC Extension Extension of the Q400 3D-DIC system for in-situ measurement during fatigue testing. Enables real-time measurement of hysteresis curves and crack growth at test frequencies up to 1000 Hz. Uses two cameras for measurements on any specimen geometry and material.
• RTSS-hysteresis Extension Extension of RTSS video extensometer for measurement of hysteresis curves during fatigue testing up to VHCF (Very High Cycle Fatigue) at test frequencies up to 1000 Hz. Records analog force signal from testing machine along with strain data.
• RTSS-creep Measurement Software Measurement software for RTSS system for simultaneous strain measurement at up to 10 specimens during creep tests. High resolution camera combined with RTSS algorithm provides highly precise strain measurements with configurable recording intervals.
• Q400 EDU DIC System Turnkey and cost-effective 3D DIC package designed for educational institutions and universities. Modular system can be used flexibly for any application and can be extended.

Quantifiable outcome

• Accuracy class 0.2 (ISO 9513) achieved with RTSS-HR system at 300mm image field
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• WPT Dortmund (TU Dortmund University - Chair of Materials Test Engineering)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 August 2025Q400-fatigue system developed with WPT Dortmund as project partner. The extension enables real-time measurement of hysteresis curves and crack growth at test frequencies up to 1000Hz. Development was funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Sustainability.
• SurphasercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2013Distribution cooperation started in 2013. LIMESS sells and services Surphaser high-precision 3D laser scanners, including models 75, 80, 100, and 400.
• Dantec DynamicscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2010Cooperation started in 2010 for DIC (Digital Image Correlation) measurement systems. Dantec Dynamics provides the Istra4D evaluation software integrated with LIMESS Q400 hardware systems.
• Testing Machine Modernization PartnersminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLong-term partners for modernization of testing machine control, drive, and testing software. LIMESS integrates RTSS Video Extensometer and Q400 Bildkorrelationssystem into modernized testing machines.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Creaform (AMETEK): AMETEK-owned provider of portable 3D scanners (Handyscan, MetraSCAN) and optical metrology solutions for industrial inspection. Overlaps with LIMESS Surphaser scanning line in 3D geometry acquisition and industrial QC.
• GOM (ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions): ZEISS-owned 3D metrology specialist with the ARAMIS and ATOS DIC and 3D scanning systems. Direct overlap with LIMESS Q400 DIC and Surphaser 3D scanning, but with vastly larger scale, global sales coverage, and a much broader optical-metrology portfolio.
• Instron: Global leader in materials testing machines and extensometry. Competes with LIMESS in the materials testing ecosystem where LIMESS video extensometers and DIC systems are integrated with testing machines.
• Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology: Global leader in industrial metrology including CMMs, optical systems, and 3D scanning. Competes broadly with LIMESS in dimensional metrology and component inspection, though with a much wider product portfolio.
• Evident (formerly Olympus Industrial): Industrial measurement and inspection provider (industrial microscopes, videoscopes, ultrasonic flaw detectors) serving materials testing and NDT markets. Adjacent competitor in industrial materials and component testing.

Direct peers

• Trilion Quality Systems: US-based provider of optical non-contact measurement and DIC systems (ARAMIS) for dynamic strain, high-speed testing, and full-field deformation analysis. Direct comparable in DIC product scope and testing-market focus.
• LaVision: German specialist in optical measurement technologies including DIC, PIV, and laser-based measurement systems for automotive, aerospace, and research applications. Directly comparable product portfolio and customer verticals to LIMESS.
• Dantec Dynamics: Danish provider of optical measurement systems including DIC (Q-400 hardware platform, Istra4D software) used in materials and component testing. Overlapping product offering and a long-standing technology/integration partner of LIMESS.
• Polytec: German specialist in optical vibration measurement (laser vibrometry, PSV systems) and 3D motion analysis. Closely comparable in vibration (StrobeCAM) and motion-analysis (LIMtrack) product categories.
• Correlated Solutions: US-based specialist in Digital Image Correlation (VIC-2D, VIC-3D) for full-field strain, deformation, and vibration measurement. Closely comparable to LIMESS Q400 in technology, applications, and customer verticals (aerospace, automotive, academic research).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCq4-shK-XxVR9Rkq6BqYj2w
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/limess

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about LIMESS · Optical measurement systems · Component testing · material testing · 3D scanning