Inspecting high-precision skids used to transport vehicle cabins between different manufacturing plants, providing real-time deviation reports to customers, and calculating the cost of various repair options to support better decision-making can only be achieved through an automated 3D scanning metrology system.
When vehicle cabins (driver cabs) and chassis are manufactured at different plants, manufacturers use skids for transportation—specifically fixtures where the cabin is secured using four anchor points. Therefore, both the cabin and the skid require extremely high precision to hold and secure components safely. Each contact point must be in the correct position and dimension. Vehicle quality depends on this.
To minimize scrap rates and maximize production, service providers inspect each skid in every loop. If an issue is detected, an automated line diverts and replaces defective skids, which impacts production flow. When deviations are found, repairs must be performed. No skid is allowed to leave the plant unless approved by the metrology system.
When inspection is performed manually using fixtures (e.g., with ±2 mm tolerance), the skid only needs to fit into the fixture. If it does not fit, it is considered out of tolerance. However, the exact deviation cannot be quantified.
Identifying the root issue and determining which side is faulty becomes nearly impossible. In addition, this method cannot determine the actual position of the four critical contact points.
When a company is paid to repair issues it identifies through its own inspection process, a conflict of interest may arise: the more defects identified, the more repairs are required.
The service provider may be asked to justify its findings, and customers may question whether the damages are truly critical and require repair. Therefore, the best approach is to visualize what is being measured and repaired in real time. Customers need access to product quality information. With an automated quality control solution, full transparency is achieved.
Accuracy:
With an automated quality control solution, service companies can improve measurement quality, achieving higher accuracy, better repeatability, and consistent results regardless of environmental instability or operator experience.
Simplicity:
With automated data capture, operators no longer need to record data manually on paper, reducing errors caused by fatigue or lack of focus. With digital documentation, deviation reports are stored in the cloud and accessible to customers in real time. Plug-and-play devices and user-friendly interfaces allow fast and reliable measurements.
Flexibility:
In addition to metrology-grade accuracy and ease of use, 3D scanning technology is more flexible than other solutions on the market because 3D scanners can measure various skid types with different sizes and shapes. In short, anything the robot can reach can be scanned.
Speed:
With high measurement speed and easy setup, the process from scanning to results takes only minutes, saving time in both data acquisition and analysis. As a result, industrial service teams can reduce execution time and lower inspection costs for customers.
Metrology-grade 3D scanners such as MetraSCAN 3D-R, along with the VXscan-R software platform, are prime examples of accurate, fast, flexible, and user-friendly automated 3D scanning solutions.
Not only can service companies detect deviations, but they can also quantify their magnitude to perform appropriate corrections and adjustments.
Better inspection:
With automated quality control solutions, service providers can ensure accurate measurements for high-precision parts in a highly time-efficient manner. They can offer real-time monitoring and 24/7 access to measurement data.
100% transparency:
Since deviation reports are stored in the cloud, they are always available to customers in real time. Customers know what is being measured and what is being repaired, with full access to product quality information.
Better decision-making:
When skids do not match CAD drawings, service providers review the entire inspection report of the batch. Repair decisions will differ depending on whether only a few skids are defective or an entire batch of 2,000 skids shows a ±3 mm deviation in one direction.
They can calculate the cost of repairing all skids or evaluate whether assembly line adjustments can accommodate the deviation. In short, with complete data on each skid, better repair decisions can be made by comparing the costs of different options.
With over 35 years of experience in industrial services, Plåtson continuously develops new approaches and improves processes to deliver innovation and expertise to its customers. Based in Oskarshamn, Sweden, Plåtson specializes in building and optimizing production flow and process solutions. Recently, the company invested in a MetraSCAN 3D-R system to enhance work quality and achieve higher measurement accuracy.
“I had a vision of a solution where we could automatically measure skids and maintain a database to store quality data for each skid, track deviations between measurements, and compare results with CAD drawings,” shared Pär Henriksson, Industrial Services Manager.
Plåtson’s customers immediately recognized the benefits of the automated quality control solution upon logging into the system. They can view real-time results from high-quality deviation reports. With this system, they trust that Plåtson will choose the appropriate repair method.
Today, Plåtson is more competitive than ever and is highly satisfied with its investment, having achieved significant returns.
In Vietnam, 3D MASTER is an official distributor of Creaform with over 10 years of experience in deploying industrial 3D metrology solutions.
With a full demo system and a highly specialized technical team, 3D MASTER not only provides equipment such as MetraSCAN 3D-R but also offers consulting, technology transfer, and optimization of 3D scanning solutions tailored to specific production challenges.
Businesses can directly experience the technology, evaluate effectiveness before investment, and ensure fast, accurate implementation in compliance with international metrology standards.
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