Application of Smart Laser Scanner in Automotive Sheet Metal Parts

Sheet metal parts are parts with specific shapes, sizes, and properties manufactured through cold stamping processes. Due to their low cost, high productivity, and ability to be mass-produced, they are widely used in the automotive industry. During the stamping production process, sheet metal parts can exhibit numerous physical reactions such as surface unevenness, part cracking, and wear, which can greatly affect the installation of subsequent assembly parts. It can be said that the precision inspection of sheet metal parts is the foundation for ensuring the assembly precision of the vehicle components.

Due to the complex curvature of the sheet parts and their susceptibility to deformation, non-contact inspection is more suitable for sheet metal products. Smart laser scanners can fully leverage the advantages of 3D scanning, such as high efficiency, flexible angles, and large depth of field. They have significant application value in inspecting the complex external dimensions of sheet metal, detecting the spring back of sheet metal, measuring the punch positions in the sheet, and utilizing sheet metal assembly jigs.

Reverse Design of Sheet Metal

Reverse design refers to the process of data acquisition and processing of the target object, followed by modifications, optimizations, or redesigns based on the data. Smart laser scanners provide a convenient and efficient measurement technology for reverse engineering. Compared to traditional surveying methods, intelligent laser scanners can obtain accurate and comprehensive prototype data, thereby significantly reducing the processing difficulty for designers and shortening the design cycle.

Inspection of Sheet Metal Dimensions

Using smart laser scanner, the external dimensions data of sheet metal parts can be quickly obtained to construct CAD digital models. These models can be 3D compared through best-fit methods, alignment with benchmarks, three-coordinate alignment, and RPS alignment, resulting in full-size deviation color maps, flag annotations, deviation comparison tables, and other data reports. This enables accurate analysis of part warpages, dents, material thickness analysis, material buildup, and CAD model-based overall shape deviations.

CAE Forming Analysis and Validation

Smart laser scanners can perform full-scale data scans on parts from each process step and final product parts of stamping products. They can analyze the spring back deformation patterns between process steps and validate the results of CAE analysis, providing detailed data required for mold revisions.

Spring Back Detection and Analysis of Sheet Metal

In the production and manufacturing of sheet metal parts, the forming mold surface determines the product's quality. However, due to the elastic energy stored during plastic deformation, sheet metal parts exhibit spring back, causing deviations from the target design dimensions and resulting in quality defects. Smart laser scanners can detect the spring back trends of stamped product parts, providing a basis for mold adjustments and helping manufacturing companies meet quality requirements for mass production.