The majority of defects that can occur during the production process are “invisible” at the early stages of manufacture. These minute surface defects become visually perceptible later on, however, when subsequent work steps such as paint work have been completed. At that point in time, they can only be remedied using expensive corrective measures.

To achieve a high surface quality under the aspect of cost optimization, a wide range of defect types needs to be detected. The reliable and early detection combined with an objective evaluation and classification of defects, such as dents, bumps, sink marks, waviness, constrictions, cracks, etc., is necessary since the costs of removing these defects increase drastically with the progress of work within the production cycle (press shop, body shop, paint shop, final assembly). Consequently, particularly the rework of defects that have been propagated throughout the production process constitutes a substantial factor with regard to manpower and time. It thus has a considerable influence on the economic efficiency of the manufacturing process.

Many relevant surface defects on sheetmetal parts or bodies-in-white are not visible to the human eye.



Depending on individual type, characteristics, and illumination conditions, some quality-relevant defects can be detected after e-coating.



After application of the top coat, previously unrecognized surface defects become clearly visible and require time-consuming corrections.

Significant increase of costs for late correction of surface defects