Why (and When) Outsourcing Makes Sense for In-House Metrology Labs

To gain control over the testing process and associated costs, many manufacturers invest in staffing, training, and measurement equipment to maintain an in-house metrology lab. However, even for manufacturers with their own testing resources, it makes sense to occasionally outsource to an independent metrology lab. Consider the four scenarios below.

1. 1. When You Need Supplemental Capacity: Even if your in-house metrology lab operates like a well-oiled machine, there still may be times of peak demand when your team cannot keep pace. If a backlog exists or an urgent need arises, a partner like Industrial Inspection & Analysis can provide fast, flexible metrology services to take the pressure off in-house staff and keep projects on track.
   2. When You Need Advanced Capabilities: Occasions will arise where you need advanced equipment or unique expertise to get the job done — resources a third-party lab can provide. While it is cost-prohibitive for an internal lab to keep pace with the always evolving field of measurement technologies, a dedicated metrology lab will have a range of state-of-the-art equipment to meet your needs and deep bench of highly trained talent.
      
      Outsourcing is certainly the more cost-effective option when you need multiple types of equipment to scan different surface characteristics, sizes or shapes — or if you lack the equipment needed to meet the accuracy requirements of a specific customer.
   3. When You Need Results Fast: The advanced equipment, widespread industry experience, and technical expertise you’ll find at a metrology lab translates to faster identification of flaws and fewer errors. Independent labs have the tools and experience to streamline the testing process.
      
      IIA is often called upon to handle rush jobs when in-house labs are operating at capacity. Our arsenal of advanced equipment and inspection experience allows us to complete jobs in days versus the weeks it might take an in-house lab.
   4. When a Third Party is Required: Third-party inspection ensures an unbiased review — free from the influence of internal corporate financial and political pressures. Some highly regulated industries, such as medical device and aerospace manufacturing, are required by law to use third-party inspection to ensure that a product meets all applicable standards and specifications. In other cases, a customer may require third-party inspection, even if regulations do not.

Why Choose IIA?

Whether you need to supplement capacity to handle occasional overflow, contract a CMM Programmer to program new parts, perform a third-party evaluation, or outsource your entire quality department, you can be confident in partnering with IIA for all of your industrial lab needs. Our team can quickly step in to provide seamless support to your in-house metrology team.

Over the years, IIA has grown to become one of the largest dedicated quality lab service providers in the nation. With locations across the U.S., and a growing presence in Canada, we offer a full range of lab services for virtually any industry and application. We are ISO 9001 registered and ISO 17025 accredited; and all measurements we perform are traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). We work across many industries to solve quality challenges and help companies grow in both capacity and capability.

Knowing when to leverage in-house resources and when to bring in a third-party provider can position your project for success. When you need a partner you can trust, Industrial Inspection & Analysis is here for you — 24/7.