Getting smart about sealant application

Automotive Design & Production, April, 2004

One of the problems with all of the sealant used in body shops is that once it's squeezed between two parts, it's invisible to inspection, so applying it right the first time is essential. To help make sure that happens, ATR Systems (Cambridge, Ontario; www.atrsi.com) has developed a machine vision inspection system, Sealant I.Q., that can identify problems like over- and under-dispensing, bubbles and gaps that can turn into quality problems like leaks or premature corrosion. It uses a multi-camera sensor that views the entire circumference of the dispensing nozzle, so that nothing is missed; and it works real-time so that inspection time is built into each process.

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