A Clean Story: Ford's New 3D Dirt Detection Technology Yields Better Paint Jobs

DEARBORN (WWJ) -- Ford Motor Co. Thursday announced an industry-first dirt detection technology to ensure superior paint and surface quality.

Ford F-series pickup trucks are the latest Fords to benefit from the technology, which uses high-resolution cameras and reflected light to digitally identify surface imperfections finer than a grain of salt in final vehicle assembly, and to cue operators where to polish and buff out imperfections.

By using dirt detection technology, Ford improved paint quality and reduced customer complaints of vehicle surface finish by 82 percent within one year, as measured by customer warranty data for F-Series models produced at the company's Dearborn Truck Plant.

"This system ensures better paint jobs and surface finishes for Ford customers around the world," said Tom Dougan, project manager, global paint applications at Ford.

Ford's dirt detection technology takes microscopic scans of each painted vehicle surface, and then cues final assembly operators to address repairs where necessary. In the past, paint and surface inspections were based on human-eye examination.

The 3D imaging system applies varying degrees and angles of light while scoping the paint surface of vehicle bodies to identify dirt in paint and other irregular paint conditions. High-resolution images – 3,150 images are captured in 15 seconds for every vehicle made – are stitched together for a full 3D image that is digitally compared to a perfect computer model.

Dirt particles in paint are difficult to manage with conventional quality control methods. Minute particles can enter a shop floor from multiple environmental sources, machinery or workers, which makes paint quality one of the toughest variables to control in production. Along with Dearborn Truck Plant, the automated inspection system is now being used in the United States at Ford's Kentucky Truck Plant.

"This is one of the most exciting integrations of optical science and digital technology in the automotive industry," said Dougan. "By combining innovations in vision technology, processing speed and software, Ford continues to invent new technologies that give our customers better paint quality and surpass competitor offerings."

Globally, dirt detection technology is used at three Ford assembly plants. Here are the plants and the vehicles built there:

Valencia Assembly Plant, Valencia, Spain: Ford C-MAX (Grand C-MAX and compact models)
Dearborn Truck Plant, Dearborn: Ford F-Series
Kentucky Truck Plant, Louisville, Ky.: Ford Expedition, Ford Super Duty

The technology launches later this year at these plants:
Louisville Assembly Plant, Louisville, Ky.: Ford Escape
Chicago Assembly Plant, Chicago: Ford Taurus, Ford Police Interceptor, Ford Explorer
Oakville Assembly, Oakville, Ontario, Canada: Ford Edge, Ford Flex

In 2014, Ford will launch dirt detection technology at the following plants:
Flat Rock Assembly Plant, Flat Rock: Ford Mustang, Ford Fusion
Kansas City Assembly Plant, Claycomo, Mo.: Ford F-Series