Applying Coordinate Measurement Machines to Improving the Quality of New Energy Vehicle Components

Abstract

The manufacture of new energy vehicles (NEVs) is accelerating at a rate not seen in the automobile industry in the last 100 years. Battery and fuel-cell powered vehicles are quieter and have fewer moving parts, yet meeting the same manufacturing quality standards requires new applications of coordinate measuring machines.

First, an overview of current NEV power train architecture will be provided. The measurement challenges of each key component: lithium-ion batteries, battery modules, battery packs, fuel-cell assemblies, car body sections, e-motors/transmissions will be shared.

Second, the typical manufacturing process for each of these components will be described. The quality gates where insertion of a coordinate measurement machine (CMM) can improve each process will be shown. New and novel uses for traditional tactile and confocal white light non-contact sensors will be illustrated.

Design, Quality and Manufacturing engineers will benefit by learning how application of coordinate measuring machines can improve product quality. No prerequisite knowledge of coordinate measurement machines, new energy vehicles or quality data management principles is required.