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Computer-Aided Inspection (CAI)
In today's world, most manufacturing design is done digitally. Yet, the inspection of these designs is still done by physically determining an object's dimensions with a CMM system. This system allows errors to go undetected and ultimately the product could fail inspection.
CAI is the alternative way to inspect a product. Working together with CAD,
CAI is a faster and easier process for comparing products to their digital counterpart. Using
3D laser scanning, the product can be 3D inspected, and surfaced to compare the physical part to the design with the use of a color map and point clouds. Producing point clouds gives the ability to measure everywhere instead of being limited to certain parts on a drawing.
There are two non-contact measurement systems for CAI: 3D laser scanners and laser trackers. 3D scanners are fast and can be mounted to an existing CMM. It works by measuring the reflected image from an object with a positioning sensor.
Laser trackers calculate the relative distance between points on an axis. With that information and knowing the wavelength of the emitted light, the distance between two points can be determined.
Using CAI with the CAD database makes it easier to compare the digital 3D product to the original, helping make the decision if the deviances are marginal or serious, and ultimately saving the product from failing inspection.
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