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Dimensional Inspection (also known as: metrology services, validation, verification, product evaluation, contract inspection and layout inspection) is performed to compare the actual condition of a manufactured part or component to the nominal condition as defined by engineering drawings & blueprints, metal or film templates (decreasingly), digital files & 3D CAD models (increasingly), or even a master tool or part.
As there are many ways to establish product definition or to define design, there are even more ways to measure and inspect the actual product manufactured. Being fully cognizant of this, Q-PLUS has amassed and developed an impressive array of state-of-the-art measuring instruments, equipment and technology. This coupled with our staff of highly skilled, trained, and experienced professionals sustain a consistently high-quality yet cost-effective service unmatched in the industry. The end result for you is impartial, unbiased, and comprehensive information you can depend on.
Our expansive environmentally controlled laboratories are amply equipped to handle virtually any inspection need big or small with accuracies and measurement resolutions down to mere nanometers. Timely, easy-to-understand results can be provided in a variety of reporting formats including customer-specific formats.
 Comprehensive and Accurate- Big or Small, Simple or Complex
- Variety of easy-to-understand reports
- Custom Formats
It’s critical to have viable and reliable means of accurately verifying your manufactured products and manufacturing processes. One of the primary ways to accomplish that is via an in-depth evaluation of the first piece from your production run. Perhaps you have no in-house metrology capability or that capability is overloaded. You may even want to have your in-house inspection verified. Always, you want to be sure that, if you're going to make it, you make it right! Q-PLUS provides exceptionally comprehensive and accurate First Article Inspections the way you need it, when you need it.
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- Fast, Reliable & Economical
- Excellent Repeatability
- Production Parts
DCC-CMM is the acronym for Direct Computer Control Coordinate Measuring Machine. A DCC-CMM is a programmable fully automatic universal dimensional measurement machine. It is the foundation of modern metrology and the predominant measuring instrument employed. With growing emphasis on control of the on-going process, DCC-CMM or CNC-CMM capabilities allow us to quickly and economically inspect large quantities of a given part or configuration. Whether it is a series of production part inspections, statistical samples for analysis, or a set of critical features for the entire lot, we offer the confidence of doing it right the first time, on time.
All of our CMM's can be programmed when inspecting more than one part. Part inspection programs can be either "learned" as the first part is inspected or programmed off-line. We can even write vector-driven programs to your 3D CAD solid model. Our robotic DCC-CMM capabilities offer the greatest savings in turnaround and cost as well as high gage repeatability and reproducibility.
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- Optical Video Probing
- Laser Probing & Sensing
- 3D White Light Scanning
- Robotic Multi-Sensor Measurement Systems
What if the product or aspects of the product are too small or too soft to use contact inspection techniques? No problem! Our non-contact video and optical inspection methods are the solution. Q-PLUS has several non-contact capabilities ranging from more conventional optical video probes, to laser probing and sensors, 3D white-light scanning, and fully programmable robotic multi-sensor measurement systems. World-class optics are utilized for unsurpassed imaging accuracy with magnifications upwards of 1000X and resolutions down to one-millionth of an inch.
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SPC (Statistical Process Control) is the statistical analysis of measurement data collected from a manufacturing process to determine its viability and make educated corrections to a process. Besides requiring a significant number of repetitive measurements (for which DCC-CMM’s are nearly indispensable) complex data compilation, analysis and interpretation are required. Q-PLUS routinely provides statistical results (such as Cpk, Cp, Ppk, Pp, Sigma level, etc.) supported by quantitative measurement data and depicted in a variety of graphical analyses.
Capability Studies provide a greatly enhanced examination and validation of manufacturing processes. These are commonly utilized in high-production applications such as automotive components and commercial products. Q-PLUS provides many types and degrees of capability studies tailored to any application or special customer requirements.
An important component of any comprehensive capability study is analysis of the measurement process itself. A Gage R & R (Repeatability & Reproducibility) study is a common way to determine what amount of error in a process is due to measurement uncertainty.
PPAP or Production Part Approval Process is a standard requirement in the automotive industry that occurs at the beginning of or after a change to a manufacturing process.
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- Model Based Definition
- Part-to-CAD Comparisons
- Vector-Driven Key Features
- 3D Best-Fit
- Vane & Blade Specialists
Modern product definition is commonly achieved by means of a 3D CAD model. This is particularly important where complex, non-prismatic, free-form or organic geometry exists, as conventional dimensioning is not feasible.
Q-PLUS is fully conversant with Model Based Definition. Unusual shaped geometry requires unusual verification techniques. We have a wide array of special equipment, software and techniques to properly analyze 2D and 3D contours. Our methods both qualify and quantify the results.
Q-PLUS provides innumerable application-specific solutions ranging from abbreviated vector-driven key features inspections to extremely comprehensive part-to-CAD comparisons using high-density scan data. Such analyses can be best-fit using a number of algorithms to achieve “by-the-book” results for complex profile requirements.
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Q-PLUS offers advanced surface finish analysis capabilities including graphical depictions, numerous sensor configurations, many algorithm and post-processing options, and even the raw surface finish data. All surface finish measurements comply with ASME-B46.1.
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- Ultra High-Accuracy Contour Tracing
- Ultra High-Accuracy Roundness, Form, and GD&T Testing
- Internal Thread Forms
- Knife-Edge Sharpness
- Involute Forms & Serrations
- Ballscrew Gothic Arch Forms
While the typical CMM is an extremely versatile instrument, many measurements simply cannot be properly made due to size, tight-tolerance requirements and the like. For such situations, Q-PLUS utilizes ultra high-accuracy purpose-specific measurement devices including a contour tracing profile scanner and a form tester that can measure roundness, cylindricity, flatness, run-out, perpendicularity and many other GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing) requirements. Both instruments are continuous contact bridging the best of the analog and digital worlds. These instruments are also fully automated and programmable.
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 Ultra High-Accuracy Length and I.D./O.D. Measurement
- .000001 Resolution
- Temperature Compensation
- Variable Pressure or Non-Contact
- Gage Calibration
In line with our philosophy of thoroughness and exactitude, we can measure outside and inside diameters and lengths with extreme accuracy, repeatability, and speed, using a variety of contact and non-contact instruments with resolutions down to one-millionth on an inch!
Variety of Nondestructive Wall Thickness Measuring Capabilities
- Complex Castings
- Forging Webs & Die Closure
- Plastic and Glass Bottles
- Formed or Drawn Sheet Metal
- Pipes & Tubes
Wall thicknesses of all types of materials can be nondestructively measured with an accuracy down to .0001 and a thickness of up to approximately 20 inches using ultrasonic (high-frequency sound waves) and Hall-effect (perturbations in a magnetic field) technologies. The applications are innumerable, the process fast, and the cost savings are great because sectioning for access to the measurement of interest is not required.
Validation
We can assist you in validating your own measurement processes either by performing the same measurements in our laboratory or comparison of alternate methods and instruments. Further, Q-PLUS can assist in the systematic assessment of the factors causing measurement variation.
Measurement Studies
Measurement Studies are performed where uncertainty exists in determining the ideal combination of applied metrology technology and resources, particularly for long-term arrangements. This is essentially where we take the seemingly impossible measurement job and make it possible—then we prove it and if desired implement it into your production measurement process.
Potting & Sectioning Capabilities
When no type of sensor, contact or non-contact, will properly detect geometry for parts such as rubber bearing seals, accurate measurement may not be feasible without potting and sectioning.
Blue, Scribe & Layout
Some of our customers require that castings and forgings be inspected using the traditional blue and scribe method, so one can "see" how and perhaps why a casting conforms or doesn't conform to engineering requirements. We have the equipment and expertise to fulfill this increasingly rare but important need, as well.
Part Sorting & Separation
When a large lot of parts have been determined to contain defects or a manufacturing process could not be adequately controlled the only viable option is to sort through the lot and separate the good from the bad. Q-PLUS offers both automated and manual sorting and separation services. These services are geared toward comparably smaller lot sizes (hundreds or thousands) typically of more sophisticated parts and assemblies (including screw machined parts, sheet metal fabrications, die castings, plastic injection moldings, and numerous special processes). Customized sort criteria include visual defects, missing hardware or components, welds, commingling, marking & identification, omitted or unspecified geometrical features and, of course, highly detailed and accurate inspections for dimensional anomalies. Results can be qualitative (go / no-go) or quantitative accompanied by a variety of useful statistics.
Failure Analysis
Failure Analysis is performed (usually in conjunction with dedicated engineering and failure analysis firms) to provide advanced dimensional measurement capabilities as well as expertise in support of metallurgical, chemical, physical, functional, or other testing used to determine the cause of failure and preclude its recurrence.
3rd Party Independent Laboratory Dispute Resolution
Occasionally, disputes arise between sub-tier manufacturers and their customers, prime contractors and their suppliers, or exporters versus importers. Right or wrong, good or bad, sufficient or deficient, conforming or discrepant, we’ll get to the truth of the matter. A biased inspector is not an inspector at all, but rather a “rejector” or an “acceptor”. Our inspections are performed by real inspectors, dedicated professionals who are in the information business and work to the highest ethical standards. Anything less would simply invalidate what we do. That means impartial, unbiased, rational, and factual measurement data based on valid and repeatable observations.
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