MACHINE
VISION–BASED
TOOLS
for automotive service and repair
BY DANIEL LAU
Machine vision systems and other visual inspection methods are commonly used
in the automotive industry for manufacturing, service, and repair. This article is
focused on nondestructive visual testing methods for vehicle service and repair.
Introduction
Auto mechanics and vehicle owners can
identify many issues through visual inspec-
tion. However, unaided visual inspections
that rely on the visual acuity of the inspec-
tor may miss problem areas. Furthermore,
while unaided visual inspections can often
yield qualitative results, quantifying findings
without advanced tools can pose significant
challenges. For example, although an auto
mechanic might recognize that a vehicle is
misaligned during a visual inspection, without
quantitative inspection tools, it’s rare for them
to precisely align the vehicle to meet the man-
ufacturer’s specifications.
This article focuses on the application of
machine-vision systems for identifying vehicle
issues and generating quantitative results,
which subsequently guide prescriptive repair
processes. Automotive mechanics rely on
visual inspection for the following:
Ñ Making an initial assessment. Technicians
start with a visual inspection to get an
overall understanding of the vehicle’s
condition and catch obvious problems such
as leaking fluids or damaged parts.
Ñ Identifying leaks. By visually inspecting
the underside of a car, mechanics can spot
leaks from the engine, transmission, brakes,
or cooling system. The color and location of
the fluid can indicate the source of the leak.
Ñ Checking wear and tear. Components
such as brake pads, belts, hoses, and tires
are checked for wear and tear. Tires, for
instance, are inspected for tread depth and
wear patterns that might indicate alignment
issues.
24
M A T E R I A L S E V A L U A T I O N • J U L Y 2 0 2 4
VISION–BASED
TOOLS
for automotive service and repair
BY DANIEL LAU
Machine vision systems and other visual inspection methods are commonly used
in the automotive industry for manufacturing, service, and repair. This article is
focused on nondestructive visual testing methods for vehicle service and repair.
Introduction
Auto mechanics and vehicle owners can
identify many issues through visual inspec-
tion. However, unaided visual inspections
that rely on the visual acuity of the inspec-
tor may miss problem areas. Furthermore,
while unaided visual inspections can often
yield qualitative results, quantifying findings
without advanced tools can pose significant
challenges. For example, although an auto
mechanic might recognize that a vehicle is
misaligned during a visual inspection, without
quantitative inspection tools, it’s rare for them
to precisely align the vehicle to meet the man-
ufacturer’s specifications.
This article focuses on the application of
machine-vision systems for identifying vehicle
issues and generating quantitative results,
which subsequently guide prescriptive repair
processes. Automotive mechanics rely on
visual inspection for the following:
Ñ Making an initial assessment. Technicians
start with a visual inspection to get an
overall understanding of the vehicle’s
condition and catch obvious problems such
as leaking fluids or damaged parts.
Ñ Identifying leaks. By visually inspecting
the underside of a car, mechanics can spot
leaks from the engine, transmission, brakes,
or cooling system. The color and location of
the fluid can indicate the source of the leak.
Ñ Checking wear and tear. Components
such as brake pads, belts, hoses, and tires
are checked for wear and tear. Tires, for
instance, are inspected for tread depth and
wear patterns that might indicate alignment
issues.
24
M A T E R I A L S E V A L U A T I O N • J U L Y 2 0 2 4
