Special attention has been paid to the integration with other acquisition systems through both analog and digital, TCP/IP-based data outputs.
Understanding the actual displacement of wheels and powertrain under a variety of driving conditions is important for powertrain and suspension packaging studies and most of all for ride & handling engineering, the so-called dynamic K&C (kinematics and compliance) tests. The Metris WheelTracker G2 is the second generation of a highly successful system first launched in 2002 and used today by automotive OEM like Ford, Honda and Toyota and supplier companies like Goodyear and Michelin.
WheelTracker provides real-time, 6-DOF position information for up to four wheels and the powertrain at a frequency of 200 Hz. During handling tests toe, camber and wheel spin changes as small as 0,02° can be captured, while wheel centre displacements are measured with a 0,15 mm accuracy. With its large measurement volume, WheelTracker can capture the most extreme wheel displacements in a single measurement run.
Thanks to the optical measurement concept the system is very robust by design: there are no moving parts and the sensor has no direct contact with the wheels. The system can operate on all road conditions (durability cobblestone, pot holes, etc) and in all weather conditions. With the WheelTracker G2 this reliability has been further expanded: the controller contains a backup battery to survive power dropouts and a data buffer to make the communication with the laptop interruption proof.
The system comes with a universal carbon fiber mounting kit and adaptors for Kistler/Igel wheel force transducers can be delivered off-the-shelf. The compact controller with the footprint of a laptop can be powered directly from the cigarette lighter as the full system with 5 cameras only consumes 90 W. Measurement data are available in ASCII and MatLab format. For the integration with analog measurement systems, the controller provides 6 analog voltage outputs per wheel/engine that each correspond to one of the 6-DOF position values. Through TCP/IP the measurement data can also be streamed continuously to a laptop or digital acquisition system.
About Metris
Metris designs, develops and markets a unique range of 3D hardware and software inspection systems for the automotive and aerospace sectors. The company offers world-class metrology solutions for both design and manufacturing communities. The comprehensive product family covers the full range of measurement volumes required by customers, in both fixed and portable configurations and with optical and touch sensors.
Metris provides best-in-class precision equipment and metrology solutions for classical CMM measurements featuring bridge and horizontal arm CMMs.
Metris is the market leader for CMM based laser inspection, with the Metris LC and XC laser scanners offering full surface and feature measurement.
Metris Optical CMMs are portable, hand-held coordinate measuring machines, with a proven track record in engineering, pre-production, and quality control applications. The Optical CMMs can also be used in motion analysis and robot calibration applications.
Metris Handheld 3D Scanners are the best-in-class articulated arm scanners for inspection and reverse engineering.
The Metris Laser Radar is the top solution available to the manufacturing industry that provides a fully automated, non-contact measurement and inspection capability for large-volume applications of up to 60 meters.
The Metris iGPS is a modular, large volume tracking system enabling factory-wide localization of multiple objects with metrology accuracy, applicable in manufacturing and assembly.
Metris completes its product portfolio with a full range of complementary software solutions for inspection and reverse engineering applications.
The Metris Headquarters are based in Leuven (Belgium) with additional production and development centers in UK (Derby, London) US (California, Detroit, Virginia), China, Russia, India and Bulgaria. Metris provides a worldwide network of sales and support offices located in Europe, Asia, and the United States.
Contact Metris Headquarters Interleuvenlaan 86 B-3001 Leuven Email Contact Tel +32 16 74 01 01 Fax. +32 16 74 01 02