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x-3Dprofile – Dürr’s new wheel geometry measuring system moves into the fast lane

05/05/2008

Püttlingen, April 21, 2008 – Today’s technology, based on stereo photogrammetry and laser arrays, is rapidly overtaking yesterday’s laser triangulation. The new technology is incorporated in Dürr’s innovative x-3Dprofile wheel geometry measuring system, which was launched on the market in January 2007 and has since been integrated into 16 wheel alignment test stands. 

The breakthrough came at the end of last year. At that time Dürr Assembly Products had an order to upgrade three test stands and to put the fully reconditioned machines back in operation on the Audi A4 production line at Ingolstadt within a very short time. Using the new technology Dürr had no problem in handling the mix of Audi models stretching from the A4 Avant, including the range’s saloon model, through to the Audi A5 Coupé and the new Audi Q5 SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle).     

The advantages of x-3Dprofile really come to the fore when a variety of different models are involved. The new system offers not only a wide measuring range but also cuts the adjustment and parameter setting work involved so that the commissioning time required is shorter. A further beneficial factor is the fact that the system is not affected by general lighting allowing it to be operated in bright, ergonomic working environments.

“The x-3Dprofile sensor’s wide measuring range makes it particularly suitable for model mixes that are extreme in terms of differences in track width, ride height and tire size. This is exactly what we require of such systems,” explains Philipp Scheppelmann, who is the graduate engineer responsible for wheel alignment in the Assembly Planning Department at Audi Ingolstadt.

In addition to the three production line test stands mentioned, x-3Dprofile is also in use on a repair line test stand and on a pre-series test stand used by R&D at Audi Ingolstadt. This broad application base for use of the new technology underlines its suitability for volume production. The number of sensors required on each wheel alignment machine has been reduced from sixteen to four. This means less complexity and thus also less potential for error. Depending on individual applications, an x-3Dprofile sensor can replace up to seven classic triangulation sensors.

Unlike other sensors, with which multicolored bands are projected onto the wheel via a beamer, x-3Dprofile uses stereo photogrammetry and laser arrays to measure toe and camber angles. During the measuring process the Dürr technology uses laser lines of an intensity several times greater than that of a beamer to illuminate the tire. These laser lines form a two-dimensional dot matrix and can be switched individually.

Using the x-3Dprofile sensor to offer a new way of measuring ride height is yet another highlight: here an LED array projects light on to the edge of the wheel arch of the vehicle so that the illuminated contour can be measured by stereo photogrammetry to determine the wheel arch edge’s lowest point.

As a result of its tremendous success on the market the new system is to become a Dürr Assembly Products standard - in addition to Audi not only will Renault Alpine of Dieppe (France) and Aston Martin of Gaydon (GB) work with the new system on passenger cars but Iran Khodro of Tehran (Iran) will also use x-3Dprofile on a wheel alignment test stand for buses. This shows clearly that the system already covers a wide range of the fields within vehicle production. Dürr will continue to offer the old systems as special solutions on request. Prior to placing orders, however, customers will be offered the opportunity to convince themselves of the advantages of x-3Dprofile by carrying out comparative measuring tests at the Dürr Assembly Products facility at Püttlingen.

Dürr is a mechanical and plant engineering group at the top of the world market in its areas of activity. It generates about 85% of its sales in business with the automotive industry. It furthermore supplies sectors such as the aircraft, machinery, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries with innovative production and environmental technology. The Dürr Group operates in the market with two divisions. The Paint and Assembly Systems division supplies production and painting technology, especially for car bodies. Machinery and systems from the Measuring and Process Systems division are used in engine and transmission manufacturing and in final vehicle assembly, among other areas. Worldwide, Dürr has 47 business locations in 21 countries.