Vision Metrology Services Background

The Vision Metrology Services (VMS) offers specialist 3D measurement services to the industry sectors of manufacturing and engineering. The VMS has a reputation for successfully performing complex measurement tasks that in many cases could not have been carried out by alternative surveying technologies. The VMS is one of the leading service providers in specialised onsite metrology in Australia.

The VMS utilises the V-STARS photogrammetry system which is capable of producing XYZ coordinate point data to an accuracy of 1:120,000 (0.025mm on a 3m object). Photogrammetry is a three-dimensional coordinate measurement technique that uses photographs as the fundamental medium for metrology.

The VMS specialises in complimenting existing metrology programs by providing advanced measurement techniques that can be employed in unstable and temperature variant locations. This capability results in the VMS operating on the shop floor with tools and components that are normally too difficult to measure on site (due to their size, shape or location) using conventional measurement techniques.

The VMS is one of the leaders in complex deformation measurement of plastics, metals and composite materials. This has been highlighted by a variety of projects undertaken on the Ford E265 (Territory) and Toyota's Avalon and Camry. Measurement and analysis has ranged from assessing how bumpers distort through heat process to how an entire vehicle distorts through the paint and assembly process. Photogrammetry allows the VMS to quickly and accurately determine how components (large and small) change shape due to stresses, loads and heating processes.

Data captured by the VMS is regularly used to validate Finite Element Analysis (FEA) on components.

In addition, the VMS specialises in part loading analysis. This unique technique analyses how a built component mates with another component to determine the repeatability of a process and the distortion that the process induces on the component. Further, this technique is also used to assess the capability of holding and build fixtures to repeatedly hold parts. This information can quantify problems with existing designs, which can inturn be used to improve part design.

The VMS has an excellent reputation that is demonstrated by its extensive client list that encompasses major multinational aerospace, defence, automotive and general engineering companies and organisations which include: Ford Motor Company, Toyota Motor Company, Raytheon Industries, CSIRO, Monash University and The University of Melbourne.

The combination of the fast turnaround and ultra-portability makes the VMS a popular measurement provider for many specialised and measurement applications.