At Eleven Dynamics, we believe the future of metrology isn’t just shaped by machines—it’s built by conversations. That’s why we launched something refreshingly different: the Metrology Weißwurst Frühstück. Over freshly cooked Weißwurst and sweet mustard, in a setting filled with laughter and laid-back Bavarian charm, metrology professionals from across the DACH region came together to talk tech, trends, and the path forward.
The participants? A dream team of expertise:
Maurice Axmann (threeDwork) – reverse engineering pioneer and prototyping specialist from the Erzgebirge.
Thorsten (FARO) – a strategic thinker behind FARO’s latest metrology innovations.
Stefan (Eleven Dynamics) – Global Sales Manager, metrology veteran, and process automation advocate.
Nico (Eleven Dynamics) – the host, storyteller, and driving force behind the event, equally passionate about bees and precision.
The breakfast opened with a spirited exchange on a hot topic in modern metrology: are handheld scanners making traditional measurement arms obsolete? Thorsten pointed out the market’s growing trust in handheld systems, fueled by massive gains in accuracy and usability. Yet, all agreed: arms still dominate in high-precision, tactile applications like fixture calibration.
Stefan emphasized their enduring relevance:
“The tactile feedback and hybrid capability of measurement arms keep them irreplaceable for tasks that demand both flexibility and pinpoint accuracy.”
Maurice, speaking from a service provider’s perspective, highlighted that clients often rely on tactile systems when pinpoint precision is non-negotiable. But for fast, flexible scanning, handheld devices are winning ground.
As Nico put it, "We're in the era where cars never stop moving once the doors are on." This is the reality for global production—particularly for companies like Ducati or BMW. Here, 100% inline quality control is not a luxury; it’s a necessity.
Stefan emphasized the role of real-time scanning and the need for metrology to move at the speed of production. In these high-output environments, automation isn't just more efficient—it’s essential to maintain competitive quality standards.
Thorsten added, "Technological progress allows for 100% checks—because now we finally have the tools to do it."
Back in the day, scanning required patience—and a printed manual. Today? Systems auto-calibrate, capture millions of data points per second, and sync effortlessly with cloud platforms. The participants traced this journey from early FARO arms and V4 scanners to the new generation of hybrid systems that blend precision with portability.
Maurice reflected on his early tools—hours of setup, sensitivity to lighting, and slow processing—and contrasted it with the plug-and-play fluidity of today's devices.
The breakfast wasn't all tech talk. In true Eleven Dynamics spirit, personal stories added flavor: Nico forgot his toothpaste and came home with a rhododendron. He also explained how wild bees (specifically the stingless afrikanische Mauerbiene) inspired his garden design—and his thinking on system ecosystems.
Maurice joked about being asked if he could use a laser scanner to trim someone’s hedge, a reminder that education still has a long way to go when it comes to public understanding of metrology.
The final segment turned toward the macro view. While all noted a sluggish Q1 in 2025, the group agreed on one thing: automation will continue driving metrology forward. As manufacturing decentralizes and reshoring increases, especially in the U.S., scalable, automated metrology becomes mission-critical.
“Dark factories—lights out, fully automated—aren’t sci-fi anymore,” said Stefan. “They’re reality in Asia and soon everywhere.”
At Eleven Dynamics, we don’t just talk about the future of automation. We live it, shape it, and share it. The Metrology Weißwurst Frühstück showed that true innovation happens when people come together, not just to compare products, but to connect over shared challenges, ideas, and maybe even a second helping of sweet mustard.
The success of our first breakfast has already sparked plans for the next. More voices. More insights. More Weißwurst. If you’re passionate about the future of metrology and enjoy a good Bavarian breakfast, we’d love to see you next time.
