Quality control (QC) teams need reliable results they can trust to make informed decisions and address manufacturing challenges. This is why they rely on the coordinate measuring machines (CMMs). However, a CMM’s speed is often a limitation, making the idea that routine quality control can be performed solely on a CMM more idealistic than realistic.

Reality: QC with a CMM is labor-intensive

Although CMMs are highly accurate, they operate slowly and require skilled operators for setup and use. This limits accessibility and efficiency, ultimately extending inspection times, especially for complex parts.

Reality checks with a CMM

Increased inspection time: Using the CMM for routine inspections can significantly extend inspection times, delaying production schedules and creating bottlenecks in the manufacturing process—especially when multiple parts are awaiting inspection.

Increased calibration time: A CMM reads part geometry using a tactile probe or a laser camera with a single laser line. The necessity of calibrating each probe orientation or camera position adds to the inspection process and is time-consuming, especially for large or complex parts with intricate geometries.

Increased costs: CMMs require dedicated facilities, controlled environments, and regular maintenance, which increase operational costs and contribute to delays and inefficiencies in the manufacturing and inspection processes.

Limited flexibility: CMMs are primarily suited for controlled environments and specific geometries, which limits their adaptability to different part shapes or materials. As a result, frequent recalibrations, setup changes, and reprogramming are required, making the quality process time-intensive and slowing down operations.

High user expertise: CMMs demand specialized training and experience to operate effectively, limiting accessibility to expert users. If operators lack the necessary expertise, confidence in the inspection results may be questioned.

Addressing these challenges involves investing in faster, more intuitive equipment that integrates data acquisition and result analysis into a user-friendly interface, streamlining the quality control process.

Ideal: QC with fast, easy-to-use software solutions and no compromise on accuracy

Creaform is turning the ideal into a new reality

Creaform.OS guides operators through data acquisition with a simple, intuitive interface that visually indicates which areas need inspection. This process ensures enough data are collected for reliable quality control. The guidance offered during data acquisition improves operator efficiency, reducing the need for highly specialized skills.

Creaform.OS also applies powerful algorithms that don’t necessarily require ultrahigh resolution, resulting in faster data processing and lighter file transfers.

By integrating the Inspection software module, part of the Creaform Metrology Suite, with the acquisition software, Creaform.OS, visual indicators and feedback are retained throughout the process. When analyzing results—such as verifying whether a hole is correctly positioned or a geometric feature meets dimension and tolerance requirements—the acquisition parameters remain accessible, ensuring greater confidence in the inspection results. This data allows QC specialists to confidently determine whether issues stem from manufacturing defects or other factors like raw material variations, environmental influences, post-processing factors, tooling or fixture issues, or design-related constraints.

Increased efficiency with quality issues

With Creaform.OS and the Creaform Metrology Suite, the path to identifying root causes is straightforward. QC specialists can quickly determine whether issues arose during data acquisition. With greater confidence in their results, they can delve deeper into analysis and troubleshooting. This eliminates any doubt about whether the operator improperly inspected the part.

Better decision-making to improve product quality and manufacturing processes

With reliable quality data, QC specialists can focus on optimizing tooling maintenance programs to extend equipment lifespan and reduce downtime. They can also enhance manufacturing processes—through environmental and heat treatment checks, tooling and fixture audits, or design and tolerancing reviews—to improve operational efficiency.

As a result, product quality is higher.

Published Feb. 20, 2025, by Creaform.