Implementing a 3D scanner in the product development

Abstract

The investment in 3D scan is a result of a research for tools to increase efficiency in the R&D department and to save costs and time during the development process. The decision was taken based on a study which showed that the inspection of parts by external partners takes too much time and causes too much costs. The main goal of the implementation of the 3D scanner is to economize these factors and be as efficient as possible in the future. The first and most important factor is time. The company used to request these kinds of jobs from an external firm with several days of deadline. The goal is to implement the measurements into the product development process to be able to get results of metrology real time or with minimal delay. That must be though very carefully and progressively as the know-how and experience are required. Another problem to be solved is on the economic side of the inspection by external companies. A study showed that in one year almost twice the price of the 3D scan machine can be saved by executing these inspections instead of giving these jobs to external partners. During a validation process for example, there are at least two iteration steps to be made before the final tool launch. Content of the thesis is therefore research on the 3D scans technology and its possible uses in the product development process. This includes a general research about the 3D scan technology (not necessarily directly related to the expertise of the company) to gather ideas and already used best practices before the actual internal research of the possible (detailed) uses of the new 3D scanner.