Automotive parts have thin film coating to improve the performance (most plastic parts have hardcoat). Coating thickness measurement done directly on the parts is essential for QC. There are several points in  manufacturing process where coating thickness requires quality control: outer hardcoat on plastic components (highlight and taillights covers, bumpers covers, base reflector plates, etc) , inner anti-fog layers for polycarbonate lenses, and many other components. Each of these coatings presents a unique set of measurement challenges: low optical contrast between polycarbonate and coating material, primer or inter-penetration (IPL) interface layer for hard coating , colored parts (e.g. red), reflective texture on the part surface, etc.

MProbeHC system provides robust and easy to use solution  to measure coating films thickness directly on the product. Manual probe MP-FLVis is connected to the system with a flexible fiberoptics cable. The probe conforms to the curvature of the sample for accurate and repeatable thickness measurement . It is used for measurement of the parts larger than 1” (25mm).   Small measurement spot (<200 µm) reduces the effect of  backside reflectance. MProbe VisHC software uses advanced Thick Film algorithm for HC films and curve fitting algorithm for anti-fog coatings. Algorithms can be easily adjusted/trained to measure even coating thickness on the most challenging samples. The measurement process is easy to use and understand.