Team GapGun blog

GapGun2 measurement system

The GapGun2 was our second generation system, launched in 2002 and used worldwide for a wide variety of aerospace, automotive and dashboard applications. GapGun2 was also the smallest and lightest system we ever made.

Superseded by the fully mobile and wifi enabled GapGun3, the GapGun2 quietly bowed out in 2004. We are proud to say that all GapGun2 users are now upgraded to GapGun3.

Although in many respects the original GapGun was quite similar to today's production GapGun3, its approach to the inspection task was entirely different.

Whereas today's GapGun3 systems rely entirely on a point-and-shoot approach, GapGun1 relied entirely on comparing the measured part to a pre-loaded IGES or VDA CAD section (typically from Catia v4 or v5). The GapGun would then report deviations from this ideal (nominal) value.

Although this seemed like a sensible approach, in the days of the original GapGun only very few manufacturers had accurate and complete CAD data available for inspection purposes. Even fewer could cope with a negative gap reading (ie a gap that is smaller than nominal)!

Today's GapGun3 systems can work either in a generic point-and-shoot mode, or can be used to verify parts against CAD data in the same way as the original GapGun systems.

The GapGun2 was built to and signed off against an exacting Volvo specification. The GapGun remains the only laser measurement system to meet this specification. This image shows some GapGun2 trials at Volvo Gent on the S60.

A lot of the GapGun2's early success was due to its ability to out-perform other types of measurement systems when measuring on interiors. Because the plastic parts used on dashboards will move when probed or measured with conventional equipment, a true-non contact measurement system gives a step change in both accuracy and measurement speed.

GapGun2 measurement sensors were originally available either in plastic or metal versions. Although the plastic version was just as accurate as the metal (and was also better suited to measuring on painted vehicles as there was zero danger of damage to the paint), we found that our customers expected metrology equipment to be in a metal housing; all GapGun sensors are now metal.

Coming soon - the GapGun blog!

The GapGun is a wireless laser gauge used extensively across the world by major manufacturing companies, primarily in aerospace and automotive markets, typically for gap and flush measurement.

The GapGun team trot the globe doing their stuff just so your car door will close correctly. Now that's dedication!

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