Industry Applications with Non-Contact 3D Measurement 2002-01-0970

There exist various industrial applications that require highly accurate measurement of free-form objects in a wide range of settings. In the automotive industry, for example, these measurements can be intended for design, body-assembly of engineering prototypes, reverse engineering, quality control of parts, assembly in production, measurement within assembly lines and final quality assurance. New market requirements such as a larger number of new car models, a shorter life term of each model, and shorter time-to-market require quick ramp-up times and engineering processes, increased production flexibility, and smaller production batches. For these purposes, various techniques and methods of 3D part measurement have been introduced and employed in industrial environments over the years.

3D measurements that acquire large data sets in a short time, analyze and visually display the data, are getting more and more attention from process engineers that understand that these systems will play an increased role in automotive engineering to achieve the goals set by the new market trends. CogniTens 3D Vision Systems Ltd. has developed a technology for non-contact 3D measurement that is insensitive to vibrations and most industrial lighting and is suitable for working directly on the shop floor, in a full production environment.