Periodic Reporting for period 1 - NIPUNA (Novel metrology tool for more flexible and affordable 3D validation of large industrial components)
Période du rapport: 2016-07-01 au 2016-12-31
Mechanical engineering companies often need to measure various metal parts and sub-assemblies as the parts are sourced from other vendors. In this scenario, it is very important to assess the quality of arriving components by establishing key dimension measurements for validation right at the point of arrival. This would allow time-effective logistics and avoiding delays with returning defective parts back to supplier.
The desired situation for the customer accepting such supplied parts is to scan these in short time using non-contact technology right at the point of entry. Currently existing 3D scanning solutions are aimed towards capturing 3D shape of the object and have limitations to the accuracy of the dimensions, have no linkage to real world scale, are expensive or have limitations to the size of the scanned object.
The goal of this feasibility study was to verify the technological and economic viability of extending Sampo Software's SignSense technology to accurately measure larger industrial metal products for quality-checking purposes, set a clear focus for our business and technology development, identify customer groups to approach, partners needed, size of funding required and potential sources of funding.
The desired situation for the customer accepting such supplied parts is to scan these in short time using non-contact technology right at the point of entry. Currently existing 3D scanning solutions are aimed towards capturing 3D shape of the object and have limitations to the accuracy of the dimensions, have no linkage to real world scale, are expensive or have limitations to the size of the scanned object.
The goal of this feasibility study was to verify the technological and economic viability of extending Sampo Software's SignSense technology to accurately measure larger industrial metal products for quality-checking purposes, set a clear focus for our business and technology development, identify customer groups to approach, partners needed, size of funding required and potential sources of funding.
The study confirmed the feasibility of the key idea of performing 3D scanning by multiple camera array. The algorithmic methods utilized in the process are seen as compatible with this concept. We also got detailed overview of the needs of our potential customers, identified new use cases, elaborated the target groups and estimated the size of the addressable market, and confirmed our freedom-to-operate. The main finding of the feasibility study was that due to differences in users’ precision requirements, we should provide systems with different precision levels in order to optimize the cost for the customer and enlarge the addressable market.
Altogether, the feasibility study confirmed the economic and technical viability of the Nipuna development, so that a Phase 2 proposal reflecting all results of the feasibility study, including development work plan and resource requirements, is currently in process and is to be submitted.