Optimize Digital Quality Control in Manufacturing at e.GO Mobile

At the e.GO series factory in Aachen, the end of line quality inspection is supposed to follow the assembly cycle time of 10 minutes per station. At the same time, information from the quality check and inspection results  have to be documented and stored digitally. With around 400 relevant quality aspects being tested, an efficient process is only possible with the help of a digital tool.

Objective of the E4TC project was the development of a solution that detects quality defects automatically through image recognition. The use of Augmented Reality allows an intuitive and fast execution of digital quality documentation processes.

A first step was the development of a catalogue for the inspection and documentation of quality parameters. We successfully piloted the automated defect detection through a video analysis system that inspects the clearance of exterior body parts. Through RFID, the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is captured automatically when the vehicle enters the quality check station. With the VIN, the individual PLM-based configuration is linked to the specific vehicle that is to be tested. A the quality testing station, cameras compare the as-is characteristics of the vehicle and the as-planned configuration. This way, i.e. the clearance analysis takes place at the edge based on the images recorded.

To visualize defects, the project partners created, based on the internet of production architecture, an interface between the video analysis tool and the Augmented Reality application. This Augmented Reality Application was used to enable e.GO’s employees to speed up the quality inspection process while at the same time documenting the defects digitally. The program allows to send identified quality issues through a connected ticketing system directly to the assembly station responsible for rework and to the quality management department.