AN OBJECTIVE SURFACE QUALITY RATING STANDARD HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR AUTOMOTIVE SHEET METAL PANELS. THIS STANDARD ALLOWS FOR READY INTEGRATION INTO A PRODUCTION QUALITY CONTROL SYSTEM IN STAMPING PLANTS. EXAMPLES OF ITS USE ARE GIVEN AS WELL AS COMPARISONS TO MORE TRADITIONAL METHODS OF RATING SHEET METAL QUALITY. THE SUPERIORITY OF THE FULLY AUTOMATED RATING SYSTEM IS SHOWN.
