Lasers measure classic car to the last micron
An
University of Warwick product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Sep 18, 2007
WMG's Craftsmanship team, based at the University of Warwick, is using a GBP 250,000 laser measurement machine to develop a computer model of a Porsche 911.
Britain has a motoring heritage - most of it preserved in museums - but researchers at WMG are set to use high-technology to breathe new life into our classic autos.
WMG's Craftsmanship team, based at the University of Warwick, has recently installed a GBP 250,000 laser measurement machine, supplied by Metris UK, that can accurately measure - to the nearest micron - anything from the smallest component up to full size cars.
The team is set to laser scan a Porsche 911 - a classic 1971 2.4L ST model - to develop a computer model of the car.
This racing Porsche was made in very limited numbers and is one of the few working examples that exist today , seeing action in Daytona 6 and Nurburgring 1000km.
Lead Researcher Dr Mark Williams says: "This technology is state of the art - no other university in the country has one and the cost usually means that only the biggest manufacturing companies are able to use them".
"The story with the Porsche, as with many other classic cars, is that they are often 'one-of-a-kind' examples with no engineering drawings available so it is very difficult to make new components or replace broken ones".
"That's why most of these beautiful vehicles end up in museums".
"This car is actually still racing today thanks to the immense skill of its restorers".
"But their work becomes harder and harder as spare parts simply don't exist".
"The computer model we will produce will mean all the components of the car can be reverse engineered so that new ones can be made to fit exactly".
"Who knows - one day maybe Porsche will re-engineer and manufacture this car as a result".
Dr Williams' research, funded by Advantage West Midlands, also has an industrial side to it and one that will help components suppliers learn new skills and ultimately produce better cars for everyone.
He adds: "Because these machines are so expensive, suppliers can't get access to them and it can be difficult to work out problems with a component if you can't measure it accurately or see how it fits into the whole vehicle".
"Now local suppliers will be able to use this facility here at the University and that means cars with less rattle and an all-round better fit".
"It also means jobs and companies in the West Midlands can compete with overseas companies that are already grasping this technology".
Dr Williams hopes to be able to use the technology to create computer models of other classic and vintage cars in order to create records of vehicles that are an important part of our motoring history.
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