Inline surface analysis through combined evaluation of scattering and geometric properties: exemplary possibilities for integration in bipolar plate production

In this work, we demonstrate the application of camera-based laser-surface triangulation as a robust tool for the surface inspection of bipolar plates produced through various manufacturing schemes and composed of different compound materials. The measurement system is based on a conventional triangulation setup, equipped with a 2D CCD camera and additional components to enable polarization-based evaluation. This tool extends surface topography axial resolution to μm scale while enabling the estimation of surface scattering properties. For well-known material combinations, this information is exploited for the metrological detection of surface deviations. In this context, the reemission of light is employed to probe regions in close proximity to the measurement beam. Lastly, a strategy for integration into the production process and an outlook on applications in the field of composite materials is proposed.