Bombardier relies on Creaform technologies for measurement and quality control services.
Companies rely on their suppliers to create and deliver custom parts. If these parts deviate from the specified dimensions, serious problems arise during assembly. Companies therefore often subject the components delivered by their suppliers to internal quality controls or have them verified by service providers.
Creaform has been providing measurement and engineering services for over 15 years. Its clients include major international manufacturers in the aerospace, transportation, passenger vehicles and consumer products sectors.
Bombardier harnesses the power of 3D measurement technologies
Bombardier Transportation, located in Hennigsdorf, Germany, manufactures rail vehicles. It also integrates parts and complete assemblies from third parties into trains. These products come from all over the world and are subject to in-house quality control prior to installation, to avoid any problems during vehicle assembly.
Recently, a toilet cubicle had to be measured. On the first cabins delivered, a geometric test of certain parts was carried out to check the operation of the door. The aim was to determine if there were any deviations from the original specifications, but also to encourage suppliers to further stabilize their manufacturing processes in order to improve the quality of the products delivered.
Creaform Engineering was mandated to assist Bombardier with this project. With the MetraSCAN 3D optical CMM handheld 3D scanner and Polyworks software, an entire toilet cubicle was scanned to document the condition of the open and closed door, door motor and drill holes.
Figure 1: 3D measurement of a toilet cubicle in the workshop and after its installation in the train
A comparison between the actual and desired dimensions was then made to reveal deviations from the originally specified dimensions.
Figure 2: Differences between actual and desired state with the door closed (left) and open (right)
“ To ensure the proper functioning of the cabin, the interfaces of the door and the system were examined with the 3D scanner. In particular, we checked the dimensional shape and position tolerances and adjusted them. Thanks to Creaform's 3D measurement technologies, we were able to optimize tuning specifications and compensate for geometric deviations. Systematic adjustments, mainly to the door motor, ensured reliable operation of the system during final assembly in the train, ”said Winfried Hellwig, Concept Engineer at Bombardier Transportation.
To find out more about Bombardier: www.bombardier.com
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Featured photo: © Bombardier
