In just the past two years, the functionality of portable computer-aided metrology system (CAMS) in harsh factory environments has improved a great deal. A few examples of today’s improved instrumentation/measurement technology are laser trackers, digital photogrammetry systems, laser radars, accordion fringe interferometry, and a wider variety of white-light scanners.

Advanced composite assembly of today’s commercial aircraft requires faster and more cost-effective quality assurance verification within the production environment. Recent discoveries, in new “merged” targeting, allows for combining the best attributes of laser trackers, photogrammetry, laser radars, and white-light scanners within the same quality controlled survey. One major setback has been the contamination of the CAMS equipment and their special targets by carbon fiber dust and general foreign object debris.

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