When a leading train manufacturer was required to take gap and flush measurements in the interiors of its trains to maximise the aesthetics, they company opted for Bristol-based Third Dimension’s non-contact, precision measurement tool, GapGun Pro2.

It was required for use on all metal and plastic panels within the train interiors, ensuring the gap and flush was all controlled and they were visually appealing. Using the GapGun meant not only was the time taken to check each panel considerably reduced, but also problems could be rectified well ahead of completion.

The head of production said: “We were delighted with the efficiency of the GapGun Pro2 device. Just like the functionality, the visual aesthetics of our trains are hugely important and being able to take the important measurements both quickly and accurately was a big boost for us.”

Training for the GapGun Pro2 device was delivered remotely due to the ongoing pandemic, so the operators could get started as soon as possible. The device continues to gain more interest from the rail industry due to its advantages over traditional manual gauges, providing manufacturers with both increased speed and accuracy, full traceability of their measurements, more repeatable measurements and eliminating the potential for human error.

Callum Williams-York, Third Dimension territory sales engineer, said: “With the increased demand for public transport to reduce global carbon emissions, achieving the correct measurements quickly and accurately is more important than ever.

“Both exterior measurements, like measuring carriage doors, and interior measurements, like measuring panels, are being made easier by non-contact precision measurement tools.”

Third Dimension’s feature measurement systems, GapGun (hand-held) and Vectro (robotic), are considered ideal for a wide range of applications including the precise inspection of turbine blades, aerostructures, chamfers, welds, countersinks, gap, flush, radius, edge breaks and seals.

Holder of two Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, Third Dimension’s systems have been fully integrated into quality control processes by leading OEMs, Tier One and Tier Two companies in the automotive, aerospace and energy sectors world-wide.