Dimensional Measurement Blog

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.

Some ways that dimensional measurement technology can be used include:

• First article inspection - the process of verifying that the initial objects produced on a manufacturing line meet the required specifications
• Reverse engineering - the process of creating a digital replica of an existing object for the purpose of reproduction
• Quality control - verifying that an object's measurements meet the required specifications

Regardless of the reason for dimensional measurement, it is an indispensable process for many industries.

10 Industries that Rely on Dimensional Measurement Technology

Some of the industries that use dimensional measurement technology include:

1. Medical - Applications such as prosthetic limbs and implanted medical devices require accurate measurements to ensure the best fit and proper operation.
    
2. Jewelry - Dimensional measurement can be used for replicating an antique ring or creating a precise template for laser cutting earrings.
    
3. Sporting goods - Your carbon fiber golf clubs have a very specific shape that requires dimensional measurement to ensure that the right contours are created during the manufacturing process.
    
4. Dental - Dentists use dimensional measurement to replace lost or broken teeth with implants that exactly match the original.
    
5. Automotive - Dimensional measurement is used throughout the automotive industry to create components that meet industry certification standards.
    
6. Aerospace - Much like the automotive industry, aircraft parts must meet rigorous dimensional specifications.
    
7. Entertainment - Dimensional measurement is employed to create lifelike masks and costumes for special effects, and for realistic digital renderings of people and objects for use in movies and video games.
    
8. Construction - Engineers calculate the strength of certain structures based on their dimensions and shapes. Dimensional measurement is used to ensure that the parts used for construction match the specifications provided by engineers.
    
9. Precision manufacturing - Dimensional measurement can be used in the manufacture of parts such as mirrors and lenses for telescopes that require a high level of accuracy at the sub-micron level.
    
10. Telecommunications - As telecommunications systems become more and more sophisticated, precision-engineered parts are essential. Dimensional inspection ensures that manufactured parts are produced without flaws.

Q-PLUS Labs serves all of these industries and more. We provide first article inspection, reverse engineering, and consulting services to help you set up the right measurement process in-house. In addition to our dimensional measurement services, we also sell several brands of measurement equipment if you decide that you want your own team to perform on-site measurements. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation or to learn more about the services we offer.

Do you use dimensional measurement technology in your industry?

3D scanning is a burgeoning technology in the realm of metrology, and for good reason: It often allows you to achieve faster, more accurate measurements for applications such as first article inspection and reverse engineering.

As the technology evolves, so does the industry surrounding it. Although the scientific concepts behind 3D scanning do not change, its evolution as a metrology resource is far from static.

The Future of 3D Scanning

As more and more metrology professionals adopt 3D scanning, we can expect to see some changes in both the technology and in the industry. Some of our predictions for 3D scanning in the next five years include:

1. It will become more accurate - High-end 3D scanning devices are approaching the accuracy of CMM and, in some cases such as micro-scanning, actually are surpassing it.
    
2. It will get faster - 3D scanners are already quicker than CMM for data collection, but we can expect them to become even faster as processor speeds and computer memory increase. In fact, some machines are already so fast that the scan can complete in the same time that it takes to snap a photograph.
    
3. Costs will go down - With almost any technology, prices tend to decrease with new advances in technology and widespread adoption. This is expected to also occur with 3D scanning.
    
4. Pixel density will improve - The resolution of digital cameras has skyrocketed over the years, and the same will happen for 3D scanners. One of the most advanced scanners, the Steinbichler Comet 6, features a 16-megapixel sensor, which provides better detail and larger fields of view.
    
5. It will get easier - As the technology improves and software becomes more user-friendly, 3D scanning will become more accessible. We are already starting to see the beginnings of this trend with products such as the Steinbichler colin3D, which has almost no learning curve.
    
6. It will become more widespread - For all of the reasons already listed, 3D scanning will become more available to large enterprises, small businesses, and even consumers.
    
7. New technology will be introduced - This growing field is getting a lot of attention not only from end-users, but also from the scientists who are developing new technologies and uses for existing technology. Expect to see cutting-edge solutions in high-end products and disruptive technologies that can help bring 3D scanning technology to the consumer market.

Of course, nobody can predict the future, but because Q-PLUS Labs uses 3D scanning every day, we have unique insights into the potential of this technology and the many applications it can offer.

If you are interested in learning more about 3D scanners or how they can be used for your business, contact us today to schedule a consultation.

How do you think 3D scanning will evolve over the next five years?

Dimensional measurement equipment can be used for almost any application you can think of. Although the technology behind the equipment and the measurement methods are universal, the ways you can employ dimensional inspection are countless. It is used in industries as wide-ranging as aerospace, manufacturing, art restoration, and healthcare.

Whether it is used for the government, for the private sector, or even for personal projects, dimensional measurement equipment is a powerful tool. Manufacturers rely on it to verify the dimensions of parts of all shapes and sizes; restoration experts use it to re-create missing or damaged parts; and aerospace engineers use it to get to the moon and beyond.

5 Surprising Applications of Dimensional Measurement Equipment

Some of the applications for dimensional inspection equipment are quite serious, with major implications if the job is not done right. On the other hand, dimensional measurement equipment can also be used for more than just industrial applications.

Some of the more interesting ways metrology equipment is used include:

1. Sports equipment - Getting just the right contours and angles on a golf club head and making a racing helmet as aerodynamic as possible are just a couple examples of the many ways dimensional measurement has been used for athletic products.
    
2. Medical devices and healthcare - Dimensional measurement can be used to re-create the detailed shape of a lost tooth, create prosthetics that fit perfectly, and verify the dimensions of drug delivery devices such as inhalers and syringes.
    
3. The entertainment industry - Creating lifelike masks or replicas of objects for props are just two ways that 3-D scanning equipment is used in the entertainment industry. Another example is the use of scanning technology to create realistic objects and people in video games.
    
4. Art and archaeology - Relics and artifacts can be reverse engineered and replicated for future study without requiring the use of the original object.
    
5. Personal enjoyment - Our Butter Dish 2.0 Case Study demonstrates the use of dimensional inspection for a less serious application. What was once a fun family award is now forever memorialized in an exact replica of the ill-fated butter dish.

If you need dimensional measurement equipment or want to outsource inspection services to a certified lab, get in touch with Q-PLUS Labs. We are qualified resellers of new, pre-owned, and custom equipment. Because we use the same equipment ourselves, we are uniquely qualified to help you select the solutions that will best meet your needs. Contact us today to learn more.

Do you have an application (surprising or not) that requires dimensional measurement equipment?

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?

All of these questions and more can be answered by a qualified provider that offers excellent service.

What to Look for in a Dimensional Inspection Lab

Everybody has different dimensional inspection priorities. Whether you are on a tight budget, face a quick deadline, or have a particularly challenging application, working with a provider that can reliably meet your needs is important.

• Modern equipment - Although the field of dimensional measurement has existed since the first standardized measuring tools were created, the technology is constantly evolving. A facility that doesn't stay on the cutting edge of 3D scanning technology and all the other measurement methods may not be able to provide the most efficient and accurate service. Look for a lab that regularly updates its equipment inventory so that you can get the best service now and in the future.
   
• ISO 17025 accreditation - An ISO 17025-accredited lab must meet certain quality standards so that you can be confident that your project will get the attention it deserves. ISO 17025 accreditation meets and exceeds the requirements of ISO 9001. Although many dimensional measurement facilities achieve ISO 9001 registration, not as many make the extra effort for ISO 17025 accreditation.
   
• Prompt service - Some dimensional measurement services can't happen overnight, but you should be able to communicate with your provider as often as necessary. Look for a lab that responds quickly to your inquiries and has the flexibility and capacity to provide rush services if you need them.
   
• Qualified employees - Dimensional measurement requires both training and experience. Make sure your provider is staffed with technicians who have the level of expertise required for your application. You should also look for a lab that offers the flexibility of on-site measurement and training so you can get the services you need, where you need them.

Founded by a seasoned dimensional measurement professional, Q-PLUS Labs has been in business for almost 30 years. We provide dimensional measurement services to a broad range of industries, including those that must meet the most rigorous standards. Contact us to learn more about the services we offer, or schedule your free consultation today.

What is most important to you when selecting a dimensional measurement facility?

3D scanning is an increasingly popular measurement method for applications such as reverse engineering, first article inspection, and process control. In addition to being one of the latest technologies on the scene, 3D scanning offers several benefits for manufacturing, research, medical devices, and many other industries.

Four Benefits of 3D Scanning

One of the reasons 3D scanning is becoming more popular is that it performs as well as, and often better than, other measurement technologies and produces faster results. The following four benefits combine to make 3D scanners an excellent choice for many measurement applications:

1. Speed - Manual measurement takes a long time and is limited by the amount of data that can be practically collected. 3D scanning offers a fast way to automatically collect millions of data points, in some cases as fast as thousands of points per second.
    
2. Accuracy - As the technology has improved, the accuracy of 3D scanning has increased over time. Although modern scanners provide a high degree of accuracy, they are only expected to improve as the ability to collect more and better data points increases.
    
3. Coverage - In just a matter of minutes, 3D scanners can collect and measure millions of data points on the surface of an object. This efficiency was not possible before the technology was introduced, which is why it has seen such explosive growth in such a short period of time.
    
4. Cost - The price of 3D scanning is competitive with other dimensional measurement technologies, especially when you factor the time savings. Many 3D scanners are also easier to use, which helps lower training costs.

Having a cost-effective solution that is also accurate and versatile is changing the landscape of the the metrology industry. However, even though 3D scanners offer many benefits, they are not right for every application. When 3D scanning is determined to be the best technology for the job, you still have important decisions to make.

The best way to maximize these benefits is to ensure that the 3D scanner you use is the best one for the application at hand. Size, shape, surface characteristics, and other factors play a role in determining which type of 3D scanning technology makes the most sense.

If you're not sure which equipment or software is right for you, get in touch with the experts at Q-PLUS Labs. We'll help you select the most appropriate equipment, or we can do the scanning for you in our own labs. Contact us today to get started.

Which of these 3D scanning benefits is the most important to you?

Although the principles and science of metrology have not changed, the world of dimensional inspection is always evolving. Advances in technology and a changing political landscape will influence the direction of the industry and play a role in the technology available to manufacturers. Preparing for these changes can help ensure that manufacturers can be confident that metrology labs provide the best service possible.

5 Predictions for the Future of Dimensional Inspection

1. There will be an increase in the use of 3D scanning.
Of all the technologies used in dimensional inspection, 3D scanning is one of the least mature despite how long it has existed. However, it is a proven technology that is rapidly becoming more widely known and accepted. Although 3D scanning is not likely to make other technologies obsolete, it is quickly becoming an essential tool for manufacturers that need dimensional inspection.

2. The United States will need more dimensional inspection capability.
Globalization has changed the manufacturing industry in the United States, but the pendulum is swinging back. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. employment in the manufacturing sector has been steadily on the rise since 2010. Several factors contribute to the shift that is starting to occur:

• Labor rates are increasing in China, bringing manufacturing back to the U.S.
• Quality concerns are driving manufacturers to desire more control over manufacturing processes and quality.
• Shipping times influence where a product is manufactured.
• Strides in automation have made manufacturing in the U.S. more affordable.
• The U.S. economy is gradually improving. 

3. More engineers will be required to provide these services.
The trend toward bringing manufacturing back to the United States means more metrology services will be required, which means that more engineers will be needed to perform these services. This increase in demand translates into more metrology courses at universities and better technical facilities for students. The end result for manufacturers is a larger pool of talent with better dimensional inspection skills.

4. Accuracy requirements will become increasingly more stringent.
As technology evolves, regulatory and quality requirements have become more and more stringent. This trend is only expected to continue, which means working with a provider that can meet increasingly high standards will be more important than ever for manufacturers.

5. New technology will continue to be introduced to the industry.
New technologies from the private sector will continue to be adapted and adopted by dimensional inspection departments and providers. These technologies are expected to be better, faster, and more cost-effective. Some of this technology will be bold and game-changing. 

What does all of this mean for people performing dimensional inspection? We must be prepared to adapt to the changing landscape by being open to new technologies, by supporting the educational institutions that will produce the next generation of engineers, and by ensuring that we have the capacity to respond to the increasing demand and complexity in the industry.

What do these predictions mean for manufacturers? You want a lab that has their finger on the pulse of the industry. Talk to your metrology provider about their approach to new technologies and the changing landscape of dimensional inspection. No matter what happens to the industry in the future, Q-PLUS Labs is committed to staying on the cutting edge of dimensional inspection. If you are interested in learning more about how our breadth and depth of experience can fill your metrology needs, request a quote today.  What are your own predictions for the future of dimensional inspection?