From the mundane, like everyday household electronics, to the unusual, such as the re-entry face shields worn by astronauts, countless products are subject to vibrations that can impact their performance. Those vibrations can be large or small, momentary or continuous, and expected or unexpected.

For most people, X-rays, or radiography, are strictly the domain of the doctor and dentist’s office. Little do they know that X-ray testing is used across industries every day to make our world safer.

As a leading provider of crane inspections across North America, Industrial Inspection & Analysis (IIA) offers inspection support and insight to help you navigate these and future regulatory changes to ensure crane safety and compliance.

With facilities in Irving, San Antonio and Austin, IIA has a significant presence in Texas, with a reach that spans North America. Our Texas-based facilities offer one-stop-shop capabilities that save customers time and trouble.

Since 1986, our Minnesota testing lab has provided story-worthy service to customers around the globe who are involved in new product development, product validation, process validation, third-party validation of their supply chain, and failure analysis (FMEA). In fact, many customers consider our Minnesota metrology lab to be an extension of their engineering and operations teams.

Since 1929, our Missouri testing lab has been a fixture on the St. Louis scene. Over the years, the lab has earned a reputation as a trusted leader in commercial testing and inspection for clients in an array of industries.

Since 1969, our Phoenix, Arizona, field office has been the leading third-party provider for on-site safety and integrity inspections of vehicle-mounted aerial lifts, digger derricks, fire trucks, airline ground support equipment and live-line tools for a variety of companies, public and private utilities, and municipalities across the country.

With roots that date back nearly a century, Industrial Inspection & Analysis (IIA) is a leading inspection provider for an array of industries. In both laboratory and field settings, we offer a full range of destructive and non-destructive examinations (NDE), testing and certification, and engineering solutions that help make the world safer. Driven by growth, IIA has an extensive footprint across North America and an ever-expanding global presence in the industrial sector.

Known for its lush, green forests and mountainous landscapes, the “Evergreen State” is home to a talented team of IIA experts whose inspection and testing services are perennially popular across industries.

In the Four Corners region of the Southwestern United States, the “Land of Enchantment” is home to a team of talented lab experts who provide story-worthy service that captivates customers. Since 1986, our testing lab in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has supported customers around the world with new product development, product validation, process validation, third-party validation of their supply chain, and failure analysis (FMEA).

Along with world-renowned beaches and the “Happiest Place on Earth,” the Sunshine State is also home to a talented team of EMC testing experts who illuminate quality and regulatory compliance issues in manufactured products.

Known as the land of sunshine and opportunity, the Golden State is home to a talented team of testing experts who help shine a light on quality. With state-of-the-art laboratory testing facilities in Sunnyvale and Irvine, Industrial Inspection & Analysis (IIA) has a significant presence in California and a reach that spans North America.

In the world of dimensional metrology, the utilization of 3D CAD (Computer-Aided Design) models has become increasingly crucial. These digital representations of physical objects provide a wealth of benefits when it comes to measurement and inspection processes.

At IIA, we continuously strive to expand our service offerings to meet the diverse needs of our valued clients. We are pleased to introduce our state-of-the-art Cutter Tool Inspection & Analysis service, which allows manufacturers to enhance the precision, performance, and longevity of their cutter tools. In this article, we will delve into the details of our specialized Cutter Tool Inspection & Analysis service, focusing on the capabilities of the Bruker Alicona µCMM and the benefits it offers to our customers.

As a leading provider of dimensional metrology services, IIA is proud to offer comprehensive ISO 80369 Luer Lock Dimensional Testing.

Industrial Inspection & Analysis is excited to announce that we have added Vermont Gage to our products line. With over 50 years of experience in the industry, Vermont Gage has earned a reputation for producing high-quality fixed limit gages that are trusted by professionals in a wide range of industries. We are pleased to add their line of dimensional metrology products to our array of metrology product offerings and make them available to our customers.

Dimensional metrology is a field that is constantly evolving, driven by the need for ever-increasing accuracy and precision in a wide range of measurement processes. In recent years, advancements in technology have led to a significant expansion in the range and scope of dimensional metrology techniques, allowing for more sophisticated measurement capabilities and greater ease of use.

For some products, the manufacturing process does not end once those products are packaged and shipped out. In the case of automobile manufacturers, many of the final vehicle’s components come from various suppliers and are assembled to build the cars we enjoy driving.

CT Scanning gets to the heart of intricate, parts using testing methods that require that the part remain unaltered can be a huge task. In the case of these parts, the features within can be extremely complex and layered, making it difficult to accurately obtain dimensional measurements without cutting into the part.

Dimensional inspection is employed to measure a broad range of sample types in almost every industry imaginable. This same versatility is required at the Nano scale, which is why ongoing effort is put into the development of new measurement technologies.

When manufacturing and inspecting thousands of parts, it is important to control your manufacturing process to ensure that it is capable of repeatedly creating parts that conform to the desired tolerance. In general, the tighter the tolerance, the less capable a specific process will be.

After months of extensive research followed by planning, preparations, installation, calibration, training, qualification, and validation, we are proud to announce the deployment of the Bruker alicona µCMM, an extraordinary addition to our vast array of dimensional metrology technology and capability.

3D scanning has evolved over the years from a slow process with relatively low precision to much faster, highly accurate technologies. The result is the application of 3D scanning in multiple industries, including the manufacturing of medical devices, surgical instruments, and other equipment for the healthcare field.

The masks available on the market range greatly in material types, classification, and filtration, so we decided it would be interesting to see the most common face masks used under the microscope. The team at Industrial Inspection & Analysis wanted people to easily visualize just what 0.1 micron (0.000004 inches), looks like.

The development of new ways to measure objects and surfaces at the nano scale has allowed dimensional inspection providers to improve both accuracy and speed. It has also enabled the measurement of larger samples and objects with different surface types, as well as provide better 3D imaging capability.

Surface finish analysis is one of the most common applications of nano measurement, primarily because this field requires a high level of precision. Specialized equipment is necessary because traditional dimensional inspection technology is not able to capture surface characteristics such as texture, sharpness, flatness, and wear at the Nano level.

As a manufacturing executive or quality control director, you don’t always need to understand the rigorous details of every procedure that occurs during or after the production process. In fact, the necessary steps are sometimes so specialized that outsourcing them to a qualified provider makes more sense.

When people engage outsourced 3D scanning services, they don’t always know what happens behind the scenes. You might hand over your sample, describe the type of data output you need and leave the rest to the experts. Although there isn’t necessarily anything wrong with this scenario, the more you know about the 3D scanning process, the more you can be sure that the service you are getting is the best fit for your application.

3D scanning can be employed for a wide range of applications because it is a versatile technology that can be used for objects with various sizes, shapes, and surface characteristics. Although each application has different requirements, the core concept behind the technology remains the same: Dimensional coordinate data is collected and processed using point cloud software.

This past year, the spread of the novel COVID-19 virus has shaken the world. And although many industries are remaining resilient, others are faced with growing economic uncertainty in these challenging times.

Whether you are outsourcing or purchasing equipment to reverse engineer in-house, you want to be sure that you are working with a qualified provider that can guide you through the entire process. The ideal solution is a company that both sells equipment and provides outsourced reverse engineering services.

Understanding which dimensional inspection sensor type, contact, or non-contact, best meets your requirements can be a bit complicated. With this article, we aim to help answer some basic questions and give readers an idea of how to go about choosing measurement systems and methods. For a simplified introduction, contact measurement devices must navigate the object/part point-to-point, where non-contact systems measure with absolutely no contact or direct touch probing whatsoever.

Most production and manufacturing development systems include quality inspection in the process. Often, these quality roles are independent teams with the purpose of safeguarding against sub-standard manufacturing from EVER reaching customers.

Ruby styli are the industry standard as the ideal stylus material for a vast majority of measurement applications. Ruby (both natural and synthetic) is one of the hardest minerals known to man (second only to diamond) with inherent characteristics that make it a nearly perfect material for use as a CMM stylus.

We are often asked what the most essential dimensional measurement tools are for a machine shop that is just getting started. If purchasing a CMM or vision system (or both) is outside of your budget currently, these are the tools that every machine shop quality dept should have at the very minimum to perform quality inspections. In fact, even if you’re going to get a CMM or a vision system, a good inspection department should always have these measurement tools in-house.

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.

We all know the old adage, “time is money.” For OEMs especially, both time and money are essential factors when it comes to the entire production process, from design down to inspection.

How are your measurements adding up? Do you need automation combined with a high level of accuracy? Or perhaps, your application demands a portable measurement device for its ability to reach difficult to measure features? With the ever growing need for accurate measurements in a rapid paced manufacturing industry, knowing the best type of universal 3D dimensional measurement device available for your application will help streamline both your manufacturing and quality inspection processes.

With the rapid development of technology comes the greater need for the increased accuracy in measurement capabilities that are able to keep up with the pace of products being manufactured at the nano level. For precise accuracy up to the micrometer, such as 3D measurement data of a needle tip or surface roughness measured to extreme accuracy, nano measurement is the logical solution for these intricate measurements. But how do you know if it is worth your time to invest in this specific measurement solution for your application?

With advances in the manufacturing of smaller and smaller components, there is a need for measurements at that scale to ensure that best accuracy is maintained. If you require measurement at the nano scale, or one billionth of a meter, then choosing the right technology will be high on your priority list. You want to make the most informed decision when choosing the equipment for measurements that are this important.

With advances in the manufacturing of smaller and smaller components, there is a need for measurements at that scale to ensure that best accuracy is maintained. If you require measurement at the nano scale, or one billionth of a meter, then choosing the right technology will be high on your priority list. You want to make the most informed decision when choosing the equipment for measurements that are this important.

We’re always looking for an interesting way to convey our holiday greeting, so we at IIA took on a unique approach to sharing holiday cheer with customers using a 3D scan of a Santa statue.

Nanotechnology has matured from science fiction into a burgeoning industry and, now, to a well-accepted component of modern manufacturing. Many people don’t realize just how much nanotechnology is involved, not just for high-tech electronics and aerospace, but also for everyday applications such as adhesives, printing, and automobiles.

Reverse engineering is used in a broad range of industries for numerous types of applications. Manufacturers and product developers use reverse engineering to replicate worn parts, to convert physical models to digital ones, and to assess the dimensions of objects. However, although it is fairly common in certain industries, that does not necessarily make it easy. Fortunately, some of the most common challenges in reverse engineering are easily solvable with the right approach.

Dimensional inspection equipment can range from a basic ruler that measures length to an optical sensor that provides measurements at the nano scale. Obviously, these two types of equipment are not likely to be used for the same application. The type of dimensional inspection equipment that should be used for a particular application depends on a number of factors.

Selecting the right 3D scanning provider is always important, but it is especially critical if your applications require a certain level of accuracy and traceability. The first step is to identify a short list of qualified providers that offer the type of scanning you need, and then you must select the one that is the best fit for you and the application at hand.

Dimensional measurement technology may not be a common topic of conversation for the general public, but it is an essential component of many products that we use every day. It is one of the several behind-the-scenes steps in many manufacturing processes and is also often used during product development.

Hiring a dimensional measurement provider can be a daunting task, especially if you are not well versed in the various techniques that are employed in the industry. What type of measurement techniques should be used for your application? What tolerances are acceptable? What is a reasonable turnaround time for your project?

3D scanning can be an effective tool for first article inspection. It is relatively fast, produces accurate results, and can be more cost-effective than other solutions. However, 3D scanning does not work for every first article inspection application. For example, if the part includes internal features or surface finishes that are not compatible with optical inspection tools, a different approach might make more sense.

First article inspection is an important component of successful manufacturing. The first article in production must be inspected, or measured, to determine whether it meets the engineering specifications. If it does not, corrective steps must be taken. These steps take time and money, which is why first article inspection must be quick and accurate.

Color mapping is commonly used as a profile analysis tool in first article inspection primarily because it allows you to quickly visualize the differences between the scanned part and its nominal CAD model specifications. After an object is scanned, point cloud software highlights the differences using a color map. Each color represents a different degree of variation between the scanned part and the original design so that manufacturers are better able to understand what the part’s actual condition is and refine and improve the corresponding manufacturing processes.

Bluing and scribing of castings (also known as casting layout) is a tried-and-true method for dimensional inspection of a metal part made typically by sand casting or permanent mold. By placing the dimensions from a drawing on to the actual part, you can determine whether it meets the specifications. Although this method has been used for decades, new technologies have effectively superseded the need for it in most cases.

3D scanning can be used for multiple reasons, including first article inspection, reverse engineering, and other types of measurement applications. The purpose of 3D scanning is to collect data points to create a digital representation of the object. These data points can be gathered using lasers, white light, contact sensors, and other methods depending on the characteristics of the object being measured.

When you work with subcontractors to fabricate parts or components, you must be sure that their quality standards are consistent both with your standards and with any regulatory requirements for the finished product. Ensuring supplier quality assurance is an essential step in your own QA process, but how can you confirm that all your subcontractors meet your specifications?

Whether you decide to outsource reverse engineering services or purchase equipment so you can do it in-house, you must work with a qualified provider that you trust. The reasons may be obvious in the case of outsourcing, but selecting a good reseller when you decide to buy is just as important.

If you have decided that purchasing your own reverse engineering equipment is the most cost-effective solution for your project, the next step is determining what to buy. Countless types of equipment are available, with a range of features and from several manufacturers.

If you have decided that outsourcing reverse engineering services makes the most sense for your project or business, you still have some decisions to make. Not all reverse engineering applications are the same. You must decide what type of equipment to use and what kind of output you need, as well as consider a range of other factors.

If you need reverse engineering for your business, you may come to a point when you must decide if you want to outsource to a qualified provider or purchase equipment to do the job in-house.

In order to obtain an engineering degree, you must learn certain concepts and skills in school. However, developing an engineering career means your education continues on the job. One field not typically taught extensively in engineering school is metrology, but for any engineer entering the field of manufacturing, understanding metrology is essential.

There are many ways to inspect an object. You can use high-tech machinery, precision hand tools, and even the human eye. Every inspection method comes with strengths and weaknesses, and each application will work better with some methods than with others. Understanding these strengths and weaknesses can help you decide which types of inspections work and do not work for your specific application.

Dimensional inspection is used in a broad range of industries for a wide variety of applications. However, there are some common reasons why this type of measurement is used. Whether the objective is to compare a prototype to a drawing or to ensure that a finished product meets certain standards, the fundamentals of dimensional inspection remain the same. Highly accurate measurements are taken to determine how closely an object matches its originally intended dimensions.

Purchasing dimensional inspection equipment requires making a big decision, and in most cases a significant financial investment. It is important to be certain that the equipment you buy will serve its intended purpose and provide the results you need.

The simplest solution is often the best. This old adage applies to almost anything, including dimensional inspection. In a room full of high-tech equipment like 3D scanners, coordinating measuring machines, and high-precision devices that can measure on a nano scale, sometimes the only thing you really need is a pair of calipers.

For some dimensional inspection applications, the best way to obtain measurements is by using a sensor that comes into contact with the object. Contact sensors work best when the object is rigid and not fragile. They are also often used when the surface of the object does not lend itself to light sensors because it is reflective or too dark.

Dimensional inspection can be performed with a wide variety of methods and equipment, depending on the object being measured. When selecting equipment, remember the cardinal rule of dimensional inspection: The object being measured cannot be altered during the measurement process.