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VM Automotive, a Tier 1 supplier to global automotive brands Mercedes-Benz and BMW, required a faster, more consistent way to inspect aluminium and steel blanks. Manual inspection slowed production and introduced variability. The company adopted the InspecVision Planar 2D optical measurement system, achieving automated, repeatable, and highly accurate results that improved efficiency across its production line.
Industry: Automotive and Sheet Metal Manufacturing
Headquarters: Rosslyn and Berlin, South Africa
Scope: Aluminium and steel blanking services for Mercedes-Benz and BMW
VM Automotive is a 100 % black-empowered, privately owned Tier 1 supplier providing precision blanking services to automotive OEMs worldwide. In 2019, the company secured the contract for the Mercedes-Benz W206 series, following years of successful supply on the previous W205 C-Class. To support the new model, VM Automotive built a state-of-the-art facility near the Mercedes-Benz plant in East London, ensuring seamless logistics and production continuity. More about VM Automotive
The new facility required an automated inspection solution capable of measuring large laser-cut blanks to strict automotive tolerances.
Traditional tape-measure inspections were slow, taking 10 to 20 minutes per part and susceptible to inconsistency. This manual process limited throughput and increased the risk of costly rework. VM Automotive needed a fast, precise, and reliable metrology system to align with the output of its Schuler laser blanking line and ensure every component met Mercedes-Benz quality requirements.
The solution, the InspecVision Planar P1200.100, the largest 2D optical measurement tool in the InspecVision range, featuring a 6 × 2-metre measuring area, ideal for oversized automotive panels and blanks.
The Planar system delivers non-contact, high-resolution inspection in seconds, replacing manual measurement with digital accuracy and traceability. Proven in leading automotive blanking plants across Europe and Asia, InspecVision’s technology gave VM Automotive the confidence to standardise on a robust, production-grade inspection system.
Installation was initially scheduled for on-site InspecVision engineers, but during the COVID-19 travel restrictions back in 2020-2021, this required a remote commissioning approach.
Through video conferences, printed manuals, and detailed video tutorials, InspecVision guided VM Automotive’s technicians to assemble and calibrate the 6 × 2-metre camera system. Training was coordinated by VM Automotive’s metrology applications engineer following InspecVision’s remote instructions.
Despite those global restrictions, the system was fully commissioned in time for the first blanks from the Schuler line, demonstrating the value of expert support and adaptive project management.
The InspecVision Planar system is now central to VM Automotive’s quality assurance process, operated by Quality Manager Dakalo Kutama and his inspection team three times daily across three shifts.
They measure 30 to 40 sheet-metal parts per week, with inspections now taking under a minute per component.
“It was easy to justify the InspecVision dimensional measurement system given the improvements in production efficiency and quality,” said Mr Kutama.
VM Automotive requires only annual calibration and minimal support, with reliable local service whenever needed.
Automotive and sheet-metal manufacturers across Australia and New Zealand seeking to improve speed, accuracy, and traceability in inspection should consider automated vision-based measurement systems like InspecVision Planar.
Headland Technology is the exclusive partner for InspecVision systems in ANZ, helping local manufacturers implement advanced, automated measurement solutions.
Speak with our sheet metal experts and explore how InspecVision can streamline your production and quality control, keeping manufacturing competitive across Australia and New Zealand.
Whether you’re after a machine, spare part, power tool, or need to book a service call Headland will help you find the right solution in a timely manner.
Fill out the form below and the relevant expert will be in touch with you shortly.
