Spatially constrained scanning scheme applied for gap measurements

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 0.08mm 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.