Automated Dimensional and Geometric Inspection of Metal Plates Using a Collaborative SCARA Robot: A Preliminary Proof-of-Concept Study

Industrial manufacturing increasingly requires reliable and repeatable dimensional and geometric inspection of small metal components, while minimizing inspection time, operational cost, and operator dependency. Conventional manual inspection based on mechanical fixtures remains widely used but is limited by operator variability, reduced flexibility, and poor scalability in high-mix production environments. This work presents a preliminary proof-of-concept for an automated dimensional and geometric inspection system based on a collaborative SCARA robot, whose primary role is to ensure repeatable positioning, handling, and automation of the inspection process. At this stage, the industrial problem is intentionally simplified to a representative squared tubular metal plate, preserving key length and width requirements while postponing full three-dimensional profile verification to later development phases. This incremental strategy reduces technical risk while enabling early validation of referencing, repeatability, and automated cycle execution. Rather than committing to a single measurement technology, the proposed system architecture remains measurement-agnostic, allowing the integration of different inspection approaches, such as vision-based methods, dedicated mechanical gauges, contact or non-contact sensors, and instrumented fixtures. In this context, the robot enables the automated manipulation and placement of parts into predefined inspection setups, replacing manual handling while preserving measurement reliability. A structured analysis of functional and operational requirements is used to justify this flexible architecture and to highlight its potential economic and operational benefits. Virtual validation is carried out using MATLAB-based simulation tools, namely Simulink 3D Animation and Simscape Multibody, to assess system layout, robot motion, accessibility, and cycle execution prior to physical integration. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed concept and support a phased roadmap towards more advanced geometric inspection capabilities in subsequent development stages.