A Tool Presetter is where a machining process proves itself: dimensions are checked against the drawing before parts leave the shop. This page covers the Tool Presetter configured with a laser scanner and reverse engineering software and supplied to aerospace first article inspection: metrology with calibrated equipment and documented uncertainty. The headline figure is scanning rates to 500 points per second, and the rest of the page explains what it means in daily use.
In practice the difficulty is rarely the nominal size. measurement uncertainty 2–3 µm is held on the features that locate the part in the assembly, and the process is set up so that the first piece and the five hundredth measure the same way.
Specification
| Process | Metrology with calibrated equipment and documented uncertainty |
|---|---|
| Material / configuration | a laser scanner and reverse engineering software |
| Size / capacity | scanning rates to 500 points per second |
| Tolerance | measurement uncertainty 2–3 µm |
| Surface finish | calibrated and certified |
| Application | tool presetter for aerospace first article inspection |
| Inspection | Dimensional report, material certificate, first article report on request |
| Lead time | 7–15 working days for samples, 3–4 weeks for production |
| Minimum order | 1 piece for prototypes, from 50 pieces for production pricing |
Manufacturing process
Production begins with a drawing and material review. Stock is certified, the operation sequence is fixed, and metrology with calibrated equipment and documented uncertainty is carried out on equipment maintained to hold measurement uncertainty 2–3 µm over a full shift, not just on a first piece.
Material is purchased against a certificate and checked on receipt, so the composition is known before any cutting starts. Work in progress is identified by part number and operation, and the finished parts are deburred, cleaned and protected before they leave the machine area.
Typical applications
Most of the work supplied in this category falls into the following examples.
- First article inspection reports.
- Incoming goods verification.
- Tool wear trend monitoring.
- Capability studies on critical dimensions.
- Reverse engineering of legacy parts.
Quality control and documentation
Inspection is not a final formality. Dimensions are checked during the cycle and again at the end, so drift is corrected while there is still stock to remove.
Material certificates to EN 10204 3.1, dimensional reports and first article inspection reports are issued with the shipment where the application requires them. Calibration dates and measurement uncertainty are recorded alongside every result.
Ordering, lead time and packaging
Orders start from a single piece. Samples are quoted from the 3D model, and production pricing follows once quantity, finishing and inspection are agreed.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is shop floor measurement?
A CMM in a controlled room gives uncertainty around 2 to 3 micrometres. On the machine, probing is accurate enough to detect drift, which is the reason to use it, rather than to replace the CMM.
What documentation comes with inspection?
A dimensional report listing every measured feature with nominal, actual and deviation, plus the equipment used, its calibration date and the environmental conditions.
How long does delivery take?
Sample parts are typically shipped in 7 to 15 working days after drawing approval. Production batches run 3 to 4 weeks depending on quantity, finishing and inspection requirements.
Send the drawing or the 3D model for a quotation. Include material, quantity, tolerance and finish, and a detailed quote with lead time is returned within one working day.
