A Automated Inspection Cell is where a machining process proves itself: dimensions are checked against the drawing before parts leave the shop. Supplied to general production control, this Automated Inspection Cell is configured with a Renishaw probe head and calibrated scales. metrology with calibrated equipment and documented uncertainty is carried out on equipment that holds measurement uncertainty 2–3 µm across a full shift, not only on a first piece.
Tolerance is applied where it does work rather than across the whole drawing. Critical features are held to measurement uncertainty 2–3 µm, non-critical dimensions follow the general machining tolerance, and the difference is stated in the quotation rather than discovered later.
Specification
| Process | Metrology with calibrated equipment and documented uncertainty |
|---|---|
| Material / configuration | a Renishaw probe head and calibrated scales |
| Size / capacity | scanning rates to 500 points per second |
| Tolerance | measurement uncertainty 2–3 µm |
| Surface finish | calibrated and certified |
| Application | automated inspection cell for general production control |
| 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
Work is carried out with metrology with calibrated equipment and documented uncertainty. Tooling, speeds and fixturing are recorded with the part number, so a repeat order starts from a proven process instead of a fresh setup.
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
Critical features are measured on calibrated equipment in a controlled room, and the results are filed with the job so that a repeat order can be compared with the first.
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
Packaging is specified by the part: individual protection for finished surfaces, separation for assemblies, and export crating with a packing list for shipment.
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.
What is the minimum order quantity?
One piece for prototypes and first article work. Production pricing usually starts at 50 pieces, and repeat orders run on fixtures retained from the first batch at no extra charge.
Drawings are reviewed for manufacturability before quotation, and any feature that adds cost without adding function is pointed out at that stage rather than after the parts are made.
