Not only does it measure gaps, but whether panels are level and the radius of edges. Data is logged, and linked via Wi-Fi for the quality control audit trail.

The latest order is from train maker Bombardier, for Aventra electric multiple unit for two London rail services:

• 66 train carriages for Transport for London’s Elizabeth line (Cross Rail)
• 45 carriages for the LoTrain project for London Overground

Bombardier quality manager Colin Mellor described GapGun as a culture changer: “GapGun completely removes ambiguity and subjectivity. Since we started using it we have been able to speed up production and check each part as we go along, meaning we can head off problems before they arise.”

The trains are being made at Bombardier’s plant in Derby, which supports more than 750 manufacturing jobs and 80 apprenticeships, said Third Dimension.

Optical triangulation is used for non-contact measurement, so it also works on soft parts, with four interchangeable heads offer different fields of view.

GapGun Link is integrated software which enable results to be extracted

Rolls Royce and Airbus are amongst customers.

There is a slightly breathless GapGun video here.