NavVis VLX Frame Has a Crack: Should I Worry?

On some NavVis VLX devices, small cracks may appear on the frame after extended use, particularly around the folding mechanism. In most cases, these cracks are limited to the paint layer and do not indicate structural damage.

Causes

During manufacturing, metal components are bonded to the carbon fiber frame using a specialized adhesive. Over time, the following factors may cause slight stress within the paint layer, resulting in visible surface cracks:

• Temperature fluctuations

• Differences in thermal expansion between materials

• Repeated mechanical loading during operation

• Minor impacts to the frame or scanner head

Internal testing of affected devices confirms that:

• Frame structural integrity is not affected.

• Measurement accuracy is not affected.

• The cracks are cosmetic and limited to the paint layer.

Solution

Apply a paint repair using a white paint pen and acetone to blend the crack into the surrounding surface.

The repair significantly reduces crack visibility when viewed from above. However, the repaired area may be more visible at shallow viewing angles (approximately 15° above the surface). Consider this trade-off before performing the repair.

The repair significantly reduces the visibility of the crack when viewed from above.

However, the repaired area may become more noticeable when observed from shallow viewing angles (approximately 15° above the surface), as shown below:

This trade-off should be considered when performing cosmetic repairs. While the procedure effectively conceals visible paint cracks, it may introduce slight surface variations that are more apparent from certain angles.