Conducting quality control of supplier parts using 3D scanners

Written by: Creaform Team

Companies depend on suppliers for custom-made parts, but any deviation from required dimensions can cause major assembly issues. To prevent this, parts are inspected through internal quality checks or third-party services.

Creaform has over 15 years of experience providing measurement and engineering services to leading manufacturers across industries like aerospace, transportation, recreational vehicles, and consumer products.

Leveraging the power of 3D measurement technologies at Bombardier

Bombardier Transportation in Hennigsdorf builds rail vehicles and integrates supplier components from around the world, which are inspected internally before installation to avoid assembly issues.

Recently, toilet cabins were evaluated, with initial units undergoing geometric testing to verify door functionality and identify any deviations from specifications, while also encouraging suppliers to improve manufacturing consistency.

Creaform Engineering supported the project using the MetraSCAN 3D Elite and PolyWorks to digitize a full toilet cabin, capturing the condition of the door (open and closed), door mechanisms, and drill holes.

3D measurement of a toilet cabin in the warehouse and once installed in the train

Deviations between the actual and target state with the door closed (left) and door open (right)

“To ensure proper cabin operation, the door and system interfaces were inspected using a 3D scanner. Key dimensional and positional tolerances were analyzed and adjusted. With Creaform’s solutions, setting parameters were optimized and geometric deviations compensated. Targeted adjustments—mainly to the door drive—helped ensure reliable performance during final vehicle assembly,” said Winfried Hellwig of Bombardier Transportation.