Project: Measurement Aided Production of Automotive Glass
The CO objective of the MAPGLASS project is to develop a 100% quality measuring station with necessary capabilities to handle automotive glass sheets automatically. The station will be comprised of two complementary systems: new fast optical 3D measuring system and novel mechanical glass handling system._x000D__x000D_The CO objective will be achieved through the following scientific objectives:_x000D_1) Developing suitable solid-state ultraviolet (UV) Light Emitting Diode (LED) lamp that can project about 100 points to a glass sheet surface. The measuring system can include several such lamps in order to finally project any desired number of points on the surfaces._x000D_2) Developing fast image processing algorithm to extract the 2D coordinates of the projected points on the surfaces. The final 3D coordinates will be calculated form the 2D coordinates._x000D_3) Developing suitable mechanical glass transportation method that makes it possible to move the glass without scratches or other damages into the measuring cell and out of it._x000D__x000D_According to the NSG Group report “Pilkington and the Flat Glass Industry 2010” various structural trends have affected the automotive glass manufacturing industry in recent years. Increased requirements by the vehicle manufacturers (VMs) on automotive glass suppliers favor those automotive glass producers that are able to offer better technical capabilities - shaping, optics, design feasibility/simulation together with a lower production price. This drive is COly fuelled by VM industry expectations on quality, based on global competition for customers, but also industry consolidation which adds additional purchasing pressure on the supply base. Key to understanding this trend is recognition of the change in vehicle styling and features as a result of technological advances and customer expectations. For example: new type of windscreen wipers require more accurate shape of the glass and the Head Up Display (HUD) sets very tight dimensional tolerances for the glass production. Based on the feedback from the VMs such as BMW, the current level of output quality of automotive glass is not enough to satisfy the existing and future demands of the VM’s._x000D__x000D_The CO activity in the MAPGLASS project is to develop a new glass measuring system by eliminating UV laser and start to use LED lights instead. The technological updates will increase the performance and at the same time significantly reduce the system investment and COtenance cost. This will make 100% optical measurement feasible for most glass production lines. Teknodrom will contribute to the system by designing and manufacturing a new type of gripper system for fixing the glass parts independent to the form of surface. This solution will be tried in glass industry for the first time._x000D__x000D_The consortium of the MAPGLASS project reflects the value chain for quality control in automotive glass manufacturing industry. To achieve the best possible results during the R&D process and secure a fast and guaranteed market entry after project completion, three companies have formed a consortium. Mapvision is the developer of the Mapvision measurement method and the owner of the Mapvision Quality Gate machine. Mapvision will develop the needed glass industry specific software application and develops software for integrating the latest LED lights into the measurement system. Teknodrom is an expert company in automation and robotics. They will develop the mechanics for manipulation of the glass. Trakya Cam is an automotive glass manufacturer. Trakya Cam’s role in the project will be to set the requirements for, test and validate the prototype glass measuring station developed by Mapvision and Teknodrom. _x000D__x000D_The Mapvision glass measuring method will be based on Mapvision Quality Gate, which has been tested and accepted by major VMs and Tier 1 suppliers for measuring welded assemblies like subframes and instrument panel supports. The need to improve glass measuring technology and output quality has been expressed to Mapvision by many premium car manufacturers like BMW and Daimler as well as glass manufacturers themselves. Mapvision and Teknodrom will use their existing sales and marketing channels for the new product. The initial market entry will be carried out via Trakya Cam that is planning to switch from out dated glass measuring solutions to a modern one._x000D__x000D_Large glass sheets are essential parts of modern sun power elements that reflect sunlight to focus points. Architectural glass is using more and more bended shapes in order to achieve modern look for new buildings. Manufacturing of these components face the same problems of quality control as automotive glass production. MAPGLASS station needs only system scaling to provide a suitable measuring system for these purposes._x000D__x000D_In the MAPGLASS project, the consortium will develop a new automotive glass measuring station that will advance the state-of-the-art with regard to the speed, COtenance cost and flexibility.
| Acronym | MAPGLASS (Reference Number: 7880) |
| Duration | 01/04/2013 - 31/03/2016 |
| Project Topic | The quality requirements of automotive glasses are tightening all the time: new windscreen wipers and Head Up Display (HUD) set very tight dimensional tolerances for glass production. To overcome existing technological bottlenecks the MAPGLASS project aims to develop a novel glass measuring station. |
| Network | Eurostars |
| Call | Eurostars Cut-Off 9 |
Project partner
| Number | Name | Role | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Oy Mapvision Ltd. | Coordinator | Finland |
| 3 | TEKNODROM ROBOTIK VE OTOMASYON SAN. TIC. A.S. | Partner | Türkiye |
| 3 | Trakya Cam Sanayii A.S. | Partner | Türkiye |