In this modern era, 3D documentation is a vital part of many manufacturing processes, particularly where quality assurance and control of critical tooling are concerned. In this age of computer-aided design, it is shocking that many manufacturers still depend on engineering prints for their manufactured parts and rarely maintain drawings/documentation for critical tooling.

Many clients want to know the differences between an accredited lab and one that is not, and why they should consider an ISO 17025 accredited dimensional measurement and inspection laboratory in the first place. This is a very important and valid question. In the simplest of terms, the answer would be “accountability”.

Purchasing a CMM represents a substantial investment for many companies, and understanding the many factors involved can be daunting. To make a truly educated decision takes advanced expertise in dimensional metrology and years of experience in quality inspection at a high level.

As new advancements in technology are continually developed, there is an increasing demand in the dimensional inspection industry to measure objects at the nanoscale. For example, equipment with the ability to inspect an object and deliver results in nanometers is necessary to monitor quality for products requiring micro manufacturing such as silicon photonic devices, orthodontic brackets, tapered variable helical root canal files, stents, or jeweled bearings.