Engineering of Tooling

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Precision For Tooling Development

A combination of scanning and selected dimensional inspection is most often the best approach to capture precision data for tooling development. Scanning accuracy for smaller inserts is +/-.00025”. Shutoffs and other critical features may be inspected with a touch-probe CMM to +/-.000050”. IIA employees have extensive experience in tool rooms and with tool design. It helps us understand your particular tooling challenges and what you need to solve. Most scans and inspections are performed on die components or mold inserts, but our equipment is capable of handling an entire mold base if necessary. Your project will be personalized - managed by a highly skilled individual with whom you will have a direct line of communication.

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Precision For Tooling Development.

A combination of scanning and selected dimensional inspection is most often the best approach to capture precision data for tooling development. Scanning accuracy for smaller inserts is +/-.00025”. Shutoffs and other critical features may be inspected with a touch-probe CMM to +/-.000050”.

Industry-Specific Expertise.

IIA employees have extensive experience in tool rooms and with tool design. It helps us understand your particular tooling challenges and what you need to solve. Most scans and inspections are performed on die components or mold inserts, but our equipment is capable of handling an entire mold base if necessary.

With Direct Communication.

Your project will be personalized - managed by a highly skilled individual with whom you will have a direct line of communication.

Story-Worthy Service
Equipment, Capabilities
Accreditation, Certifications
Sample Outputs, Files
Scanning vs CMM Inspection

Story-Worthy Engineering Services

Built for responsiveness.

IIA Engineering strives to provide services worth telling others about. We've structured our entire operation to be responsive to your needs – from precision equipment to be used for validating tooling, to IT systems built for optimum communications; we strive in every way to provide story-worthy service.

To take you to the next step.

When you begin a project with us, we'll want to know your stated and unstated project needs. We value making and keeping aggressive commitments to help you get to the next step in your project. With equipment and skills specifically developed for precision components, we’ll find the best approach to completing your project.

Equipment, Capabilities.

Scanning Platforms

CMM Laser Scanners
Chromatic White Light Scanning Interferometry
Confocal Micro Laser Scanner
Portable CMMs with Laser Scanning
CT Scanning (internal geometries)

Software Platforms

Geomagic
Polyworks
Rapidform
SolidWorks
Pro-E, Creo
AutoDesk Inventor
Rhinoceros

Support Capabilities

Robust Inventory Control System
2,000 lb hoist capacity
Horizontal Bandsaw
Parts Cleaning Station
Small Parts Grit Blaster

Qualifications, Accreditations, and Certifications.

Plastics Technology

All CAD Specialists have completed Designing Plastic Parts for Injection Molding studies.

ITAR Registered

ASQ Certifications

All inspectors are certified to one or more of the following:

CQI (Certified Quality Inspector)
CMI (Certified Mechanical Inspector)
CQT (Certified Quality Technician)
CQE (Certified Quality Engineer)
CQM (Certified Quality Manager)
CQA (Certified Quality Auditor)

Duns Number:19-993-4829
NAICS: 541380 (Mech. Testing Lab or Services)
Cage Code: 0GB04
SIC Code: 8734

Scanning Outputs

Point Cloud

Raw 3D Scan Data (.txt, .asc)

Generated by all 3D scanning technologies, raw geometric data is collected as a point cloud. This is the first step in every project.

raw point cloud data preview of a metal bracket

Polygons

Raw 3D Scan Data with a polygonal wrap (.stl)

Neutral file primarily used by the 3D printing industry.

polygonal mesh preview of a metal bracket

Analysis

2D Visual Report (.pdf)
3D Interactive Report (.pwzip)

Point cloud data is overlaid to an existing CAD model or scan data of another part to show deviation. Used for rapid design verification, tooling validation, and first article inspection.

Referred to as a Deviation Analysis, Comparative Analysis, Computer Aided Inspection (CAI) or Verification (CAV), or Color Map. Reports can also be manipulated to show specific dimensional call outs or FAIs. We call this a "CAV Plus".

deviation analysis preview of a metal bracket

Modeling Outputs

Native Parametric Formats

Models developed in your native CAD platform. Constructed with a fully functional design tree, robust models are built for ease of editing.

NURBS File Format

Best for modeling organic shapes that do not need to be edited. Surface or solid file output (.igs, .stp)

All Reverse Engineering and Modeling project customers receive a Live Model Review at project completion.

parametric cad model preview of a metal bracket

Need a closer look?

Download fully featured sample files in all of these formats from our download center.

When you may need dimensional inspection vs 3D scanning.

Do you need specific dimensional results to resolve a tooling problem?

A 3D scan may be an acceptable initial validation step for your tooling. However, if you need more detail, a CMM inspection may be a better solution.

Do you need accuracy less than 8 microns?

When your tolerances are in the 2-10 micron range, a touch probe or vision CMM is a better solution than 3D scanning. Chromatic white light scanning and confocal micro-laser scanning will produce tighter accuracies, but are limited to relatively flat surfaces, measuring micro-topography.

Does your inspection involve a large number of dimensions?

Measuring multiple features can be done with both a traditional CMM and by extracting the data from a 3D scan. However, it is generally more efficient to extract a few dimensions from a 3D scan than several hundred. As a guide, 20 (or fewer) dimensions on 1 or 2 parts is a good number for 3D scanning. As the dimensions and number of pieces increase, programming and inspecting with a CMM is more cost effective.

Helping you find the best solution.

IIA Engineering is dedicated to helping you solve your quality and design challenges. In these situations, we work with QC Inspection to create solutions that are comprehensive, cost-effective, and appropriate to achieve your goals.

Explore Dimensional Inspection