FEATURE TEST & MEASUREMENT
be repeatable or produce consistent results when further measurements are collected. Thirdly, contact measurement devices
often have little capability to output measurement data meaning that operators have to write down results or input them into a computer. This is laborious and prone to errors in terms of interpretation and input. For many years, optical non- contact measurement was found in engineering workshops in the form of a shadowgraph or profile projector. Early designs were simply visual checking devices, although later versions also had some digitalisation capabilities with additional electronic measurement capability. Nonetheless, the process was slow and not suited to an inline inspection environment. Clearly the precision non-contact laser
measurement devices of the 21st century have revolutionised quality control. So, let us consider how manufacturers are using this new way of measuring in industry today.
LASER MEASUREMENT IN ACTION One of the main reasons for the popularity of non-contact precision laser measurement devices is their speed. GapGun allows manufacturers to make more quality checks, at a lower cost, with greater repeatability and consistency of measurement. Bombardier, the world’s leading
manufacturer of both planes and trains, uses GapGun to check each train carriage panel on the production line so problems can be averted before they arise, thereby speeding up the production process. The company is currently using GapGun to assist quality inspection for the production of 66 train carriages - on order for Transport for London’s Elizabeth line service - and is also planning to use the system on 45 carriages for the LoTrain project for London Overground. Manufacturers also like the traceability afforded by non-contact precision laser measurement devices.
The speed and accuracy of non-contact precision laser measurement devices means every single car can be measured
For example, GapGun exports measured results directly into a database making them nigh on impossible to falsify, which is crucial in safety critical areas such as aircraft engines. GapGun is also being used by major aerospace manufacturers to help improve engine efficiency by minimising the clearance gap between the turbine blade tip and the casing on airplane engines. This decreases the amount of air passing though the gap as lost energy and as a result decreases noise levels, improves fuel efficiency, lowers environmental impact and reduces running costs. GapGun’s fast and accurate data
Third Dimension’s Inspect software enables flexible analysis of a component’s profile when used alongside GapGun
collection also contributes to a quicker production line and inspection process. For example, Leonardo Helicopters is using GapGun to reduce inspection times for interior and exterior composite panels by almost 90 per cent. In the automotive sector precision non-contact precision laser measurement is also proving to be indispensable in helping to find potential problems. Luxury car maker, Jaguar Land Rover uses GapGun to measure the gap and flush of everything from the fuel cap to the seal gap void between the car body
and door. It is even used to ensure the thickness of the glue bead applied to panels is the right size in order to prevent leaks. Reducing downtime is also a major reason why manufacturers have embraced precision non-contact laser measurement devices. Production does not have to stop to check quality as the devices provide manufacturers with a fully auditable trail of every product measured. Furthermore, the ability to transfer data to a computer means any modifications can be done on the production line in real time. In the renewable energy sector, GapGun
is also being used to measure the size and depth of scratches on the surface of wind turbine blades, as well as the height and width of deformations in the blade layering which can reduce its lifespan or even cause a catastrophic failure. However, precision non-contact laser
measurement is not only confined to heavy industry: it has also been adopted by manufacturers of high-end white goods like washing machines who are using it to quality check their products to ensure they do not spring a leak. We live in a competitive, regulation
driven age where the customer is king and every monarch expects quality. Whether you are manufacturing planes, trains, cars, turbine blades or washing machines, quality is without doubt the driving force for customer loyalty, retention, future sales, pricing and profitability. Non-contact precision laser measurement devices not only improve quality control checks but also save time, money and resources – with the added bonus of reducing environmental impact and running costs. That makes them an indispensable instrument in the quest for quality control.
Third Dimension
www.third.com
26 FEBRUARY 2018 | INSTRUMENTATION / INSTRUMENTATION
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