40% Faster Inspections with CT Technology

Close-up of automotive gear shift dial marked P R N D M on display stand.

In the highly competitive global market for automotive suppliers, precision, quality and speed are non-negotiable. Faced with increasingly complex part geometries, rising quality expectations and a shortage of skilled inspection personnel, Singapore-based interior vehicle component manufacturer Taiyo turned to ZEISS. Its industrial computed tomography system ZEISS METROTOM 1 has since significantly reduced the time required for quality assurance at Taiyo by over 40% – while also providing an even higher degree of confidence in the results, positioning the company for the future of manufacturing.

Ngiam Kee Tok, Managing Director Taiyo Technology Singapore, standing in production factory of Taiyo Technology.

Taiyo’s commitment to excellence in automotive interiors – and its challenges

Founded in 1993, Taiyo Technology Singapore Pte Ltd has built a reputation for excellence in supplying the automotive industry with molded components featuring high-quality surface finishes. At its state-of-the-art facility in Singapore, the company produces a wide range of interior vehicle parts, including knobs for steering wheels, drive mode knobs, HVAC switches, and overhead consoles, for global Tier 1 such as Tokai Rika America, Panasonic Automotive Systems America and OEMs such as Toyota, Subaru, Mazda, Ford and GM. Operating as a one-stop solution provider, the company covers the full value chain, from tooling design and injection molding to decorative plating, laser etching, painting, pad printing and final assembly. This flexibility enables Taiyo to fulfil diverse customer requirements with precision, speed and reliability.

Production line with workers in blue coats assembling components in cleanroom.

However, in recent years, Taiyo has faced mounting pressures that are all too familiar to many in the automotive supply chain: increasing complexity, more stringent quality expectations and intensifying competition, not only from regional rivals, but also from global players who are leveraging digital manufacturing and automation. Meanwhile, the availability of skilled labour in Singapore, particularly for quality inspection roles, was becoming limited. Traditional inspection methods, such as coordinate measuring machines, microscopes and manual gauges, required time-consuming set-ups and highly trained operators. As product geometries became more intricate and tolerances tighter, this approach reached its limits.

Moreover, product development cycles were becoming shorter. Customers expected faster turnaround times, more iterations and comprehensive compliance documentation, all while keeping costs under control. In this environment, even a marginal gain in speed or accuracy could mean the difference between winning or losing the next contract.

Engineer preparing component for ZEISS METROTOM 1 industrial CT scanner inspection.

The need to stay ahead of competition

For Taiyo Singapore’s Managing Director Ngiam Kee Tok, the message was clear: “If we wanted to stay competitive, we had to evolve. We couldn’t just rely on traditional methods anymore. We needed to take quality assurance to the next level.”

To strengthen its competitive advantage, Taiyo became the first company in Asia to adopt the ZEISS METROTOM 1, a compact industrial computed tomography (CT) system that enables the non-destructive, full 3D inspection of both external and internal structures. The result is faster development cycles, reduced reliance on scarce skilled labour, and a measurable leap in quality assurance precision.

Engineer analyzing ZEISS INSPECT Optical 3D measurement report on computer monitor.

How the ZEISS METROTOM 1 changed the game

The ZEISS METROTOM 1 is a compact industrial CT system designed for the high-precision, non-destructive inspection of plastic and light metal components. Combining a powerful 2.5k X-ray detector with intuitive software, it generates full 3D volume data in a single scan, capturing both internal and external structures with speed and accuracy – an ideal solution for quality assurance in complex, high-mix manufacturing environments. With its attractive price point and fast return on investment, the ZEISS METROTOM 1 is the perfect entry point into the world of computed tomography and non-destructive testing.

"Now we’re doing more work with the same number of people, but the metrologists are far more productive. And because the system is more intuitive, it’s easier for new staff to learn."

Ngiam Kee Tok
Managing Director, Taiyo Technology Singapore

For Taiyo, the system completely changed their approach to inspection. “We run a scan, and everything is there: dimensions, defects and alignment to the CAD model. It’s one process, one report”, says Ngiam. This has led to dramatically shortened inspection times, almost by half, enabling Taiyo to scan multiple components in a single cycle and obtain results within hours.

But the depth of analysis it unlocked was just as important. With full insight into the part structure, the team can quickly validate tooling, identify distortions and spot internal flaws – all without cutting into a single part. “It helps us fix problems earlier,” says Ngiam. “And when we modify a tool or part design, we know immediately whether the changes worked.”

Customers have noticed the change, too. “Before, every customer had their own reporting template. We had to adjust to each one. Now, we send them the ZEISS METROTOM 1 report, and they just say, ‘This is fine.’ That saves time and avoids a lot of back-and-forth,” says Ngiam.

Discover quality solutions for the automotive industry

Ngiam Kee Tok, Managing Director Taiyo Technology Singapore, explains how to improve automotive plastic component quality during a meeting.

From measuring to understanding

The partnership between ZEISS and Taiyo meanwhile extends far beyond the sales process. ZEISS stood by Taiyo at every step, from initial consultation and proof-of-concept testing to installation, training, and ongoing support. During the transition period, their engineers visited regularly, helping Taiyo’s team overcome the learning curve and adapt the new system to real-world production demands.

“They are always just a call away,” recalls Ngiam. “If we have questions, they are there, whether providing remote support or coming down in person. That made all the difference in building confidence within our team.”

Engineer using ZEISS ATOS Q blue light 3D scanner for part inspection.

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Taiyo Technology:40% Faster Inspections with CT Technology​

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3D scanning in the automotive industry

Taiyo Technology:
40% Faster Inspections with CT Technology