Spatially constrained scanning scheme applied for gap measurements

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate an optical‐based scanning modality for the real‐time measurements of automotive interior gaps.

Design/methodology/approach

The hardware is based on a charge‐coupled device detector acquiring a laser illumination. The laser is projected on multitude of substrates with different reflectivities and surface profiles; while the scanning is progressed manually through a hand‐held setup.

Findings

The proposed software identifies the optical gap location automatically and establishes a dynamic field of view.

Research limitations/implications

The study conducts a tool reliability and repeatability study that yield an accuracy of 0.08 mm and a repeatability of less than 6.5 percent as user bias. The developed hardware/software combination, when compared with two commercial systems; a 3D scanner and an industrially packaged sensor unit used for exterior gaps, which provided repeatability values of 24 and 17 percent, respectively, with accuracies of 1.5 and 0.34 mm.

Originality/value

New hardware and software are developed in combination to operate effectively on different deco finish and gap separations.

Citation

Omar, M., Reddy Thotti, K., Parvataneni, R., Zhou, Y., Alraoof Mayyas, A. and Qattawi, A. (2011), "Spatially constrained scanning scheme applied for gap measurements", Sensor Review, Vol. 31 No. 3, pp. 239-245. https://doi.org/10.1108/02602281111140010