Validating the virtual clamp with CMM correlation on automotive production lines

Valtteri Tuominen*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Mechanical clamping has major disadvantages when used in the in-line measurement of a welded automotive assembly. It is hard to adjust the welding process, the clamp prevents the flexibility of optical measurement and clamping equipment is expensive to buy and maintain. A method called "virtual clamp" has been developed to provide the results of clamped measurement without physically clamping the part. This eliminates the disadvantages of the mechanical clamp. The accuracy of the virtual clamp was validated on four real-world automotive production lines. Correlation between the mechanically clamped parts using a CMM and virtually clamped parts using an in-line measurement system showed the accuracy of the virtual clamp to be around 0.04 mm in half- and full-vehicle size welded assemblies. Although this is a considerable contribution to the overall measurement uncertainty budget, the virtual clamp appeared to reduce other uncertainties affecting the budget. Correlation actually improved when using the virtual clamp. The research has opened a way to validate the accuracy of a virtual clamp that does not require additional investments and uses existing technology. The market indicates that the next generation of manufacturing needs more flexibility from in-line measurement, and this research clearly shows that the virtual clamp can provide it.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1293-1305
Number of pages13
JournalInternational Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology
Volume93
Issue number1-4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2017
MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

Keywords

  • In-line measurement
  • 100% inspection
  • Clamp
  • Correlation to CMM
  • FEM
  • Automotive body and chassis manufacturing
  • FLEXIBILITY

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Validating the virtual clamp with CMM correlation on automotive production lines'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this