Auto Industry

PMT Has Years of Experience in Measurement for the Automotive Industry.

PMT Has Years of Experience in Measurement for the Automotive Industry.
<p>China’s auto exports and annual sales take the lead in the world amid the rapid development of new energy vehicles. The nation is moving steadily toward a new phase of growth for its auto industry featuring intelligence, sustainability and innovation. Price war has become the norm since the rapid development of the market will inevitably bring fierce competition. However, the market has proved that car companies have been raising their competitiveness, and the trend has shifted from low-priced competition to applications of cutting-edge technologies, exceptional performance of products, and branding development.</p> <p>Therefore, 3D measurement technology has been playing an increasingly important role in modern manufacturing. It can provide high-precision measurements for different sizes and shapes, which is of great significance for improving product quality and production efficiency.</p>

China’s auto exports and annual sales take the lead in the world amid the rapid development of new energy vehicles. The nation is moving steadily toward a new phase of growth for its auto industry featuring intelligence, sustainability and innovation. Price war has become the norm since the rapid development of the market will inevitably bring fierce competition. However, the market has proved that car companies have been raising their competitiveness, and the trend has shifted from low-priced competition to applications of cutting-edge technologies, exceptional performance of products, and branding development.

Therefore, 3D measurement technology has been playing an increasingly important role in modern manufacturing. It can provide high-precision measurements for different sizes and shapes, which is of great significance for improving product quality and production efficiency.

Portable Measuring Arm

As an advanced 3D geometric measurement system, PMT portable measuring arm has a built-in counterbalance system which is specially designed for on-site inspection. The structure of the equipment is simple and balanced, thanks to its perfect equal arm length design, which delivers an outstanding arm-operating experience. It also has the advantages of no measurement blind zone, wide measurement range, real-time temperature compensation system and low power consumption. PMT portable arm is compatible with many measurement software and widely used in manufacturing industries as follows.

Reverse Engineering

Reverse Engineering

In scanning clay sculptures or existing samples, the Alpha M 7-axis Scan Arm can quickly model with its collected data , which greatly shortens the design cycle.

 

The PMT ScanArm has the following advantages:

  • There is no need to paste the marking point on the surface of the workpiece, and the workpiece can be scanned directly after it is fixed.
  • Blue light scanning and probe detection can be switched at any time, and probe detection can ensure the hole position data is more accurate.
Car Components Measurement

Car Components Measurement

The 3D inspection of car components by portable measuring arm can ensure dimensional accuracy and then the assembly processes would proceed with precision.

In the measurement of automobile parts, it is often difficult to locate the part and inspect the space dimension, and the PMT measuring arm can help avoid such problems.

  • When measuring car parts, a coordinate system can be established easily based on the features of the measured object, without considering whether it is in the horizontal or vertical direction, as long as it is stably fixed.
  • The object can be positioned on the fixture at shop floor. Use the coordinate system of the fixture to measure the thin-walled parts.

Tool Alignment

We can make adjustments to the assembly position according to the obtained accurate data of the auto parts so as to make sure the accuracy and quality of the whole process.

In batch but not automated production lines, some parts are positioned with special tools. When there are some positioning deviations, it can be detected and adjusted with the PMT potable arm.

There are diverse and practical installation methods, and the measurement can also be completed even during transportation.

There is a real-time coordinate display, which can fine-tune a single positioning part with the coordinate system of the workpiece.

Fixtures Measurement

In order to meet the design and factory requirements, the automobile fixture needs to go through the verification by CMM, and issue the relevant adjustment quantity and accuracy report. In particular, the welding fixture of automobile sheet metal generally has the characteristics of large detection range, dense tooling, and complex use environment. The application of PMT measuring arm in automobile fixture inspection significantly improves the detection efficiency, adapts to the complex environment, and is an important means to adjust the fixture accuracy and maintain the production accuracy of the process.

  • PMT measuring arm uses a built-in balance and 360° infinite rotation mechanical structure, which is simple and tiny in appearance, making the measurement more flexible. The installation and measurement while swinging the arm body are less interfered during the tooling process.
  • The overall circuit is highly integrated, low power consumption, and the dual batteries can ensure 12 hours of working time, so as to ensure uninterrupted work on the site with tight electricity.
  • With a temperature compensation system, PMT portable arm is able to respond to large temperature difference when measuring at shop floor, providing a guarantee for data stability.
Fixtures Measurement

New Energy Battery Case Measurement

PMT portable arm uses the method of selecting features and then collecting data, and only needs to touch the surface of the battery case with the probe and press the button to collect. It takes fewer points but can quickly obtain key data such as flatness, hole position and contour of the battery case.

  • PMT portable arm adopts the design of equal arm length to meet the measurement near the base area of the device, and can be installed closer to the battery housing, so as to maximize the effective measurement range.
  • With the aerospace-grade carbon fiber material, the whole machine is very light in weight so as to reduce the work intensity of long-time inspection work.

Coordinate Measuring Machine

IATF16949 quality management system plays a vital role in the automotive industry, as it ensures quality control and continuous improvement in the car manufacturing. In IATF16949 quality management system, coordinate measuring machine(CMM) is one of the key quality control tools. It is mainly used to measure and verify the geometric dimensions and shape of parts to ensure the product meet the design requirements. It can provide high-precision dimensional and shape measurements, which is of great importance for improving product quality and production efficiency. With its excellent performance, PMT FUTURE Bridge CMM provides high-precision, high-stability and high-efficiency measurement solutions for production sites, R&D centers and metrology rooms. PMT SPACE is an innovative measuring machine designed for shop floor.

As a reliable and high-precision measurement machine, PMT CMM provides technical support for the automotive industry in the following aspects:

Overall-size Measurement
Increase Measurement Efficiency
Process Control
Data Digitization

Overall-size Measurement

With the continuous development of the automotive industry, the precision requirements of the car parts are becoming higher and more complex. Usually, traditional measurement tools can not meet certain standards when facing complex parts and geometric tolerances, which makes our surveyors headaches. The accuracy index of PMT CMM follows ISO 10360-2:2009 standard, so the accuracy is reliable. It can not only measure the accuracy of μm, but also measure the dimensions of various complex parts, and calculate the GD&T of the parts through simple data editing.

Overall-size Measurement

Increase Measurement Efficiency

PMT CMM supports one-button measurement, and all measurement tasks can be completed automatically through simple point alignment, which greatly reduces labor costs. The consistency of measurements can also be improved due to minimized human error.

Increase Measurement Efficiency

Process Control

Through regular measurements, the production process can be monitored, and deviations in production can be found and corrected in time. That ensures the stability and consistency of the production process. It allows us to detect potential quality issues in advance, avoid substandard products from entering the market, and reduce customer complaints and the risks of recalls. It can also identify weak links in the production process and take effective measures to improve the quality of the product and as well as production efficiency.

Process Control

Data Digitization

After finishing the part measurement, the report can be exported in PDF and other formats for storage and reference. It is also helpful to standardize the data management.

 

Data Digitization

As technology evolves, the automobile manufacturing is making progress.

As technology evolves, the automobile manufacturing is making progress. Quality control, as a core element in car production, is becoming more stringent and refined, which is also a constant challenge for the dimensional measurement industry. Under such context, instrument manufacturers need to keep providing high-performance, stable and reliable measurement equipment, and establish more professional service teams to offer high-quality measurement solutions. PMT will continue to provide high-quality services for automobile manufacturers and seek common development.

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FAQ

What are the partners of PMT in the automotive industry?

PMT’s partnership network spans the entire automotive supply chain, encompassing industry leaders such as BYD, FAW, SAIC, GAC, Changan, Geely, JAC, Dongfeng, GWM, Sinotruk, BorgWarner, and Jin Rui Tai.

What challenges can PMT Arm solve in the automotive industry?

PMT Arm offers highly flexible measurement capabilities for complex scenarios. Key applications include:
1.Reverse Engineering
The PMT ScanArm captures data from clay models or physical samples without surface markers, rapidly generating point clouds and 3D models to accelerate design cycles. In a recent vehicle development project, this technology enabled complete 3D modeling within two weeks, achieving 40% time savings compared to conventional methods.
2.Molds and Production Tools Inspection
The PMT Arm enables regular inspection of molds and production tools to analyze wear patterns, facilitating timely maintenance or replacement. For example, an auto parts manufacturer utilized the PMT Alpha Arm for periodic mold checks, detecting and fixing wear early to prevent production downtime and associated costs.
3.CAD Model Comparison
The PMT Arm ensures part accuracy through 3D measurement and CAD comparison. By analyzing deviations between measured and nominal data, it identifies dimensional deviations. In one case, the arm detected batch deviations in critical components, enabling immediate corrections and preventing mass production of substandard parts.
4.Tool Alignment
We can make adjustments to the assembly position according to the obtained accurate data of the auto parts to ensure dimensional quality. For example, on the assembly line of a high-end model, the application of the PMT Arm has improved the assembly accuracy by 20%, significantly enhancing product quality and customer satisfaction.
5.Fixture&Gauge Inspection
The PMT Arm enables regular inspection and real-time adjustment of fixtures and gauges for irregular or high-volume auto parts, ensuring positioning accuracy. In one production line, the PMT ALPHA Arm reduced fixture-related failures by 30%, significantly improving measurement efficiency and car body accuracy.
6.Car Body Measurement
The PMT ALPHA Arm delivers precise dimensional inspection throughout automotive manufacturing and assembly processes. Prior to mass production of a new model, comprehensive body measurement with the ALPHA Arm verified dimensional consistency across initial production units, establishing critical foundations for subsequent mass production.
7.Exhaust Pipe Measurement
The PMT Arm performs 3D inspection of exhaust pipe components to ensure dimensional precision. In one project, its implementation increased product qualification rates from 85% to 98%, significantly reducing rework and scrap.
8.Thin-walled Parts Measurement
The PMT Arm ensures dimensional accuracy of thin-walled parts for precise assembly. In a thin-walled parts production project, the PMT ALPHA Arm improved product assembly accuracy by over 15%, effectively solving the assembly problem caused by dimensional deviations.
9.New Energy Battery Cases Measurement
The PMT Arm performs shape and position measurements on battery cases to guarantee material and processing quality, enabling process optimization for final assembly. In one NEV battery case production process, the PMT ALPHA Arm ensured dimensional and geometric precision, providing critical safeguards for battery safety and performance.

Have specific inspection needs beyond these? PMT is ready to provide customized solutions for you.

Can PMT share specific automotive industry collaboration cases?

Yes. PMT portable measuring arms are used by nearly all major automotive brands and component manufacturers, including BYD, FAW, SAIC, GAC, Changan, Geely, JAC, Dongfeng, GWM, Sinotruk, BorgWarner, and Jin Rui Tai.
In a project with Changan Automotive focused on stamping quality control, PMT’s high-precision ALPHA portable measuring arm enables a closed-loop inspection process:
1.Establish Coordinate System: Check platform flatness and establish a coordinate system to align measured data with design specifications.
2.Data Acquisition: Collect measurement points from positioning holes, flush surfaces, and gaps of sheet metal parts.
3.Deviation Analysis: Compare real-time measurement data against CAD models to identify and correct dimensional deviations.
4.Report Generation: Generate PDF inspection reports with archived data for full traceability of quality issues.
This solution provides integrated inspection of gauges and parts, improves quality control and prevents batch defects, building a reliable quality control process for Changan and showcasing PMT’s ability to turn precision measurement into a core competitive advantage for clients.

How to choose between contact and non-contact measurement in the automotive industry?

In industrial metrology systems such as measuring arms, both contact and non-contact methods play essential roles. The choice depends on your specific application needs.
For routine inspection of new energy vehicle battery cases, a measuring arm with contact probing is typically sufficient. It enables GD&T inspection of features like hole positions or module installation parallelism, allowing real-time error adjustment.
When dealing with special-shaped workpieces, combining contact measurement and scanning delivers synergistic benefits. Take the inspection of a car dashboard assembly as an example: it requires both high accuracy for narrow location holes and precise surface alignment. The PMT ScanArm efficiently meets these demands, particularly in critical transition zones such as between the instrument panel and windshield. This integrated approach simplifies the traditional three-step clamping process into a single setup, achieving a data completeness rate of over 99%.
With the ability to rapidly switch between contact measurement and non-contact scanning, the PMT portable measuring arm enables accurate verification of functional holes and analysis of assembly gaps between trims and base structure, delivering a flexible, efficient, and reliable precision inspection solution that meets the demands of smart automotive manufacturing.

How does the PMT Arm balance accuracy, efficiency, and cost in sheet metal inspection?

Take the inspection of sheet metal molds at an automotive parts manufacturer as an example. By combining the PMT portable measuring arm with 3D measurement software, it successfully balances all three aspects in real-world applications:
Reliable Accuracy: Establishe a coordinate system using the 3-2-1 method, enabling real-time inspection and analysis of shape, position, and other deviations to ensure traceable and trustworthy results.
Improved Efficiency: The measuring arm performs on-site measurement directly on large molds in the production area, eliminating the need for relocation and repeated clamping.
Optimized Cost: The investment is far lower than that of large fixed CMMs. In addition, human-machine collaboration reduces reliance on specialized environments and operators, effectively lowering the overall cost of quality.
In summary, for automotive sheet metal inspection, the PMT Arm not only ensures part accuracy but also significantly shortens debugging cycles and reduces operational costs, demonstrating its comprehensive value in industrial scenarios.

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Hot Line: +86 400 681 3688
Tel: +86 0512 6286 8300
Email: info@pmt3d.com

Hot Line:+86 400 681 3688
Tel:+86-0512 6286 8300
Email:info@pmt3d.com