TURIN, Italy, 26 July 2005– Geomagic Qualify software has been certified by Fiat as part of a digital inspection process that exceeds standards set by ANFIA, the trade association that defines manufacturing methods for the Italian automotive industry.
Fiat’s testing was conducted using the non-contact Atos III 3D scanner from GOM for data capture and Geomagic Qualify to automatically process scan data into accurate 3D models for analysis and reporting. The inspection process using the 3D scanner and Geomagic Qualify met or exceeded all ANFIA standards and provided greater measurement capability than CMM.
“The 3D digital inspection process passed every test and exceeded all expectations,” says Domenico Bongiovanni, Fiat’s Quality Manufacturing Engineer. “We believe it has great potential for enabling us to inspect more part features in equal or less time than with CMM processes and for automating other areas such as incoming inspection.”
Testing was conducted by Fiat in Turin with the assistance of Microsystem, Geomagic’s Italian distributor. Six copies of an underbody sheet metal part containing slots and holes were tested by two operators, with three runs for each part. A total of 110 characteristics were inspected. Tolerances were well within ANFIA specifications and repeatability and reproducibility (R&R) percentages were much higher than the association’s minimum requirement.
While results for the digital process are comparable to those for traditional CMM, the newer process offers major advantages. The 3D scanner can capture thousands of points in a single scan; the CMM system collects one point at a time. Multiple characteristics from the scan data can be analyzed by Geomagic Qualify without having to measure the part again. Geomagic Qualify also extracts more information from the 3D scan data and enables procedures such as GD&T analysis.
Fiat’s tests follow Geomagic Qualify receiving the highest accuracy certification from Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Germany’s technical authority for metrology and physical safety engineering, and successful gauge R&R testing by Honeywell and other major turbine manufacturers.
“We are witnessing a major shift in inspection to a digital process that is easier, much faster, and more comprehensive than traditional methods, while meeting or exceeding repeatability and reproducibility standards,” says Alberto Griffa, senior product manager for Geomagic Qualify.
About Geomagic
Geomagic (www.geomagic.com) is a global company dedicated to advancing and applying 3D technology for the benefit of humanity. Geomagic’s scanning and design software solutions are used to capture and model 3D content from physical objects, organically sculpt complex shapes, and prepare products for manufacturing. In addition, the company produces powerful 3D metrology and inspection software that verifies dimensional quality by comparing as-built products to master designs. Geomagic’s Sensable Phantom haptic devices simulate the sense of touch in a digital environment.
Geomagic’s software and hardware are utilized by world-class customers in a variety of industries, including aerospace, automotive, medical, consumer products, toys, collectibles, coindesign, jewelry, fine art, heritage restoration, research, education, mold making, entertainment, training and surgical simulation. In fact, some of the world’s leading companies and research organizationsuse Geomagic software, including Ford, BMW,Boeing, Harley Davidson, Timberland, Mattel/Fisher Price, Lego, Pratt & Whitney, NASA, Schneider Electronic, 3M, Danaher and Invisalign. Geomagic is based in Research Triangle Park, N.C., USA, with an office in Boston, subsidiaries in Europe and Asia, and channel partners worldwide.
###
Geomagic, Geomagic Studio, Geomagic Qualify, Geomagic Qualify Probe, Geomagic Spark, Wrap, Geomagic Wrap, Phantom, OpenHaptics, Omni, Freeform, Claytools, Sensable and Sensable Technologies, Inc. are trademarks or registered trademarks of Geomagic Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Media Contact:
Rachael Taggart
Geomagic, Inc.
+(1) 919-474-0135
Contact Rachael