Automated high-resolution 3D inspection methods for sealant applications in aerospace based on line structured light

Gluing is a critical step in aircraft sealing assembly, with glue profile inspection serving as the final quality assurance measure to ensure consistency and accuracy of the sealant coating, allowing timely detection and correction of defects to maintain assembly integrity and safety. Currently, existing glue inspection systems are limited to basic inspection capabilities, lack result digitization, and exhibit low efficiency. This paper proposes a 3D inspection technology for sealant coating quality based on line-structured light, enabling automated and high-precision inspection of sealant thickness, sealant width, positional accuracy, and overlap joint sealant contour through geometric computation. The method reduces manual inspection time and rework rates while providing detailed quality records to facilitate traceability. Additionally, it ensures that sealant application adheres to the stringent standards of the aviation industry. Experimental results demonstrate that the measurement error is within 0.2 mm compared to manual measurements, meeting the inspection requirements of practical applications.