This document discusses the evolution of 3D measurement technology for manufacturing from 2002 to 2013. It outlines how 3D scanning has become faster, more integrated into production processes, and enabled more advanced analysis compared to traditional measurement methods. The key points are: 1) Technology for 3D scanning has improved dramatically, increasing speed and accuracy. 2) Integration of scanning has progressed from manual close-to-line measurement to fully automated in-line systems. 3) Advanced analysis of 3D scan data enables more efficient process optimization and resource allocation for manufacturers.

1. Robotised 3D measurement:
the dawn of a revolution in manufacturing
Manufacturing Day 2013, Nov 5
Geert Creemers, ARGON
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2. Contents
• About ARGON
• The 2002 dilemma: Measuring At a Higher Level
– Technology
– Integration – Automation
– Analysis
• Conclusion
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3. Argon in a nutshell
•
•
•
•
High-end 3D metrology services
HQ based near Brussels – Belgium
20 enthousiastic highly skilled professionals
Offices in the Benelux and Germany, able to support
clients world wide
• Focus 3D scanning & automation - mobile 3D measurements
• Unique portfolio of state of the art 3D measurement
technologies & software
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4. Services
Trouble shooting interventions, on- & off site, world wide
Expert know how and state of the art technology when you need it
Launch Assistance
Measurements and programming to shorten your launch processes
Series inspection: Automated Metrology
Design and programming of automated measurement processes
Customised 3D Measurement Solutions
Combining hard & software for tailored solutions
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5. Sectors – Clients
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6. The Long Standing Dream
Core points of 2002 field Study by Sirris:
Dilemma:
• Measurement = cost … costs are cut
• Products : ever more complex to make and measure
Solution:
• Measuring differently – « at a higher level »
1.
2.
3.
Technology
Integration
Analysis
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7. The Long Standing Dream
Key requirements for ‘Measuring at a higher level’:
1. Time
T
technology
One point per sec versus 100000 pts per second
2. Information
Numbers versus 3D images
ARGON’s presentation in 2004
3. Accuracy
0,1 to 0,01 mm
4. Distance
I
integration
Measurement room versus – Next-to-Line
5. Automation
Automated Measurement
Automated Reporting
Automated Handling
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8. Close-to-line Anno 2004
Volkswagen Brussels – Launch of Golf 5 model
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9. The Long Standing Dream
Measuring differently – « at a higher level »
1. Technology
2. Integration
3. Analysis
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10. 1. Technology: the structured light revolution
Unparalled technological evolution 2002 – 2013: speed/accuracy x3
Source: www.gom.com
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11. Application High Precision Plastics
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12. Reference Markers on the Object – or on the Scan Fixture
Key advantages:
1. Accurate sensor/part positioning not needed
2. Reference markers: on the part – or on frame around part
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Robot
Series inspection

13. 3D copy with 0,01mm precision …
1 mm
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14. From Tables … to Colour and Section plots
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15. The Long Standing Dream
Key requirements for ‘measuring at a higher level’:
1. Time
T
One point per sec or 100000 pts per second
2. Information
Numbers versus 3D images
3. Accuracy
0,1 to 0,01 mm
4. Distance
I
Measurement room versus In-Line – Next-to-Line
5. Automation
Automated Measurement
Automated Reporting
Automated Handling
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16. The Long Standing Dream
Measuring differently – « at a higher level »
1. Technology
2. Integration
3. Analysis
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17. 2. Integration
1. Time
T
One point per sec or 100000 pts per second
2. Information
Numbers versus 3D images
3. Accuracy
0,1 to 0,01 mm
4. Distance
I
Measurement room versus In-Line – Next-to-Line
5. Automation
Automated Measurement
Automated Reporting
Automated Handling
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18. Breakthrough 2010-2012: Automated Scanning
Scanning vs Tactile/Vision: Time gain by factor 10 …
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19. Breakthrough 2010-2012: Automated Reporting
Reporting templates: any complexity , full GD&T reporting, statistics (Cpk…)
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20. Integration into production process
1. Next-to-line / close-to-line (human part handling needed)
Manual handling/feeding
Automated Feeding in Batch/Buffer
2. Fully automated – in-line (no human manipulations at all)
Bypass
On-line
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21. 2. Integration: Close to line – Manual Feeding
Source: www.gom.com
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22. 2. Integration: manual feeding
Source: www.gom.com
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23. 2. Integration: batch feeding
Buffer Zone
Pickup Zone
Scan Fixture
On
rotation table
Buffer Zone
Drop Zone
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24. Integration into production process
1. Next-to-line / close-to-line (human manipulations
needed)
Manual handling/feeding
Batch Feeding
2. Fully automated (no human manipulations)
ByPass
On-line ‘Auf die Kette ’
Under development
First fully integrated ByPass projects (14) are installed at Volkswagen Wolfsburg – under NDA
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25. 2. Integration: fully automated – on-line
Research ongoing …
AUDI-ARGON-GOM project
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26. The Long Standing Dream
Key requirements for ‘measuring at a higher level’:
1. Time
T
One point per sec or 100000 pts per second
2. Information
Numbers versus 3D images
3. Accuracy
0,1 to 0,01 mm
4. Distance
I
Measurement room versus Next-to-Line (In-Line to follow)
5. Cost
Automated Measurement
Automated Reporting
Automated Handling
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27. The Long Standing Dream
Measuring differently – « at a higher level »
1. Technology
2. Integration
3. Analysis
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28. 3. Analysis
New and faster information inputs
Demand for new
procedures for process optimisation
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29. Efficient allocation of brains and brawn
Tasks
CMM
Low skilled
Technician
Highly skilled
Technician
Measurement
x
Reporting
x
Engineer
Analysis
Tasks
In-house
Low skilled
Technician/Robot
Scanbox/TANKscan
Measurement
Reporting
x
Principle
Analysis
x
Engineer
x
Coffee machine
Highly skilled
Technician
x
x
x
In-house/ARGON
In-house
Technicians  Shop Floor Operators + Engineers
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Resource Allocation
Problem:
Lack of brains for
• advanced reporting
• analysis
Solution:
• Shopfloor operators
• Engineers for
reporting + analysis

30. Measuring “at a higher level”:
Double TIME DIVIDEND
Client benefits :
• Shorter time-to-market
• Reduced launch costs
Client benefits :
Reduced size of bad production batches
Key advantages:
1. INFORMATION benefit
• Easy-to-Interpret reports
• Complete 3D inspection of parts
• Shorter correction loops
2. TIME benefit: fast measurement
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31. Conclusion
11 years after the Sirris Field Study
2002
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
2013
Time
Information
Accuracy
Distance
Automation
– Measurement
– Reporting
– Handling
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32. Conclusion
Rather than a cost that you need to try to cut
3D inspection can become a competitive advantage,
generating a DOUBLE TIME DIVIDEND
The challenge is to all of us now to implement this potential…
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!
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