Creaform CUBE-R Enhances Quality and Production at NIBE

At its new factory in Markaryd, NIBE manufactures large stainless-steel vessels for heat pumps. To ensure dimensional accuracy, selected vessels undergo sample inspections before moving on to the next stage of production. Previously, the vessels were measured using handheld equipment. Each vessel had to be handled by a measurement technician, which limited the capacity to approximately two or three vessels per day.

To increase the number of vessels that could be measured each day, NIBE began looking for an automated measurement solution. The company chose MLT’s Creaform CUBE-R solution – a flexible, automated 3D-scanning quality inspection system that is easy to program and capable of automatically generating measurement programs.

The MetraSCAN-R can also measure reflective surfaces without requiring scanning spray or any other surface preparation. This capability, combined with the fact that the MetraSCAN was able to capture all the reflective pipe ends on the vessels, proved decisive in NIBE’s choice of the CUBE-R.

Automated Quality Control in Production

Faster measurements, earlier detection of deviations, and a more efficient workflow

CUBE-R is an automated measurement solution that integrates MetraSCAN-R technology into a metrology-grade measurement cell designed for use close to the production line. The system enables fast and accurate quality inspections directly within the manufacturing process, allowing deviations to be detected and corrected at an early stage. This results in shorter measurement cycles, a more continuous workflow, and greater flexibility when handling different components and production requirements.

During the initial implementation of CUBE-R, the measurement cell was used to fine-tune the facility’s other machinery.

“Without it, I don’t know how we would have managed in time,” says Marianne Johansson, Production Quality Team Leader at NIBE.

An Investment Used Throughout Production

From quality control to better decision-making data and increased capacity

CUBE-R can measure virtually anything, but the primary purpose of the investment was to enable the quality department to measure the vessels. The production department now also uses the system, and more departments within NIBE are expected to use it in the future.

“The time savings are the greatest benefit, but automated measurement also ensures that we get exactly what we need from every inspection. It is a major improvement,” says Henrik Broström, Production Project Manager. “We want to obtain as much measurement data as possible and detect deviations as small as two-tenths from the nominal value. We aim to stay one step ahead – measuring before something becomes a problem.”

Easy to Use in Day-to-Day Production

Operators are free to focus on other tasks while measurements are performed automatically

When the measurement cell handles the quality inspection, the operator can focus on other tasks. This offers several advantages.

“It doesn’t tie up an operator, and our staff can run the system without knowing how to program it,” says Sandra du Toit, Production Engineer. She has created instructions that enable anyone who needs to use the system to operate it.

“You quickly learn how to use it.”

Close Collaboration Every Step of the Way

Support and training have played an important role in the implementation

Since the installation of CUBE-R, NIBE has received support from both Creaform’s team in Canada and Anders Ericsson at MLT. The Creaform team has helped incorporate various requirements into the measurement process, while Anders, an Application Engineer specialising in 3D measurement, has visited the facility on several occasions to train NIBE’s employees in the PolyWorks software.

“Both Anders and Creaform’s team in Canada have been excellent,” says Sandra du Toit.

A Rapid Return on Investment

When discussing the future and potential developments, Sandra says that integrating CUBE-R directly into the production process would be an interesting next step. Henrik adds that they now have access to data they did not have before and that they need to focus more on analysing it going forward.

If Henrik were to offer advice to others considering automated quality control, his message would be clear:

“There are many advantages. I haven’t found a single disadvantage. It is an investment that quickly pays for itself.”

Benefits of the Creaform CUBE-R

• Automated quality control within the production flow
• Early detection of deviations before they affect production
• Shorter measurement cycles and higher capacity through fast, repeatable measurements
• More time for operators to focus on other tasks while the measurement cell operates automatically
• Accurate 3D scanning of reflective surfaces without scanning spray or other surface preparation