Inspecting Automotive Paint and Finishes


High‑gloss automotive paint creates glare, hotspots, and low contrast that can conceal defects and lead to rework and warranty risk. Modern inspection pairs high‑resolution 2D imaging with structured‑light 3D measurement to capture texture, contour, and finish on reflective panels. Multi‑angle views with polarized, uniform lighting reveal runs, sags, orange peel, pinholes, and micro‑scratches. Inline analytics deliver fast pass/fail results that reduce touchups and scrap.

Zebra 3S80 3D Scanner for Automotive Paint Inspection 4x3 3600

Use structured-light 3D and smart camera inspection to expose defects on glossy finishes

Zebra 3S Series Photography Website Family with Shadow 16x9 3600

Detect paint defects with 3D imaging

Zebra 3S Series sensors use structured‑light options to map glossy panels at production speed. Polarized, uniform illumination and multi‑angle mounting reduce glare and maintain coverage on curved doors and hoods. Systems deliver repeatable height, width, and surface‑texture measurements with configurable pass/fail thresholds and confidence scores, reporting directly to production controls for immediate rework or hold.

Aurora Design Assistant Photography Website Surface Inspection 16x9 3600

Build and optimize inspections with software

In Aurora Design Assistant, engineers align 2D and 3D results, set tolerances and limits, and define pass/fail logic—all within configurable, reusable workflows. Native connectors publish results to PLCs or Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) to flag parts, trigger rework stations, or stop the line. Built‑in exception handling logs mis-captures, queues re‑inspections, and alerts operators. Results link to vehicle identifiers (e.g., VIN) and stream to the MES for accurate, real‑time data and analytics. Teams track trends, detect process drift sooner, and drive continuous improvement. 

Talk to a Partner

Need more information on what solution is right for your needs? A partner can help.

Talk to Sales

Connect with our pre-sales team to get more information about our products, solutions and how to purchase.

Select Your Location: