Looking for Dimensional Inspection Service

[e006823]

Not sure if this is the forum to post this but here goes. I'm looking for a company to perform some dimensional inspection for us. Can anyone give me any recommendations?

Thanks,
Bob

[CarolX]

In the mid-west there is a company called QC Inspection Services. The provide long term and short term personell assignments and they have an inspection lab.

CarolX

[Jstain1]

What type of instruments?

[e006823]

I believe they will need a CMM with direct computer control (possibly noncontact/optical). There is a coplanarity requirement and True position requirement with a few hundred points of measurement per part (the part is approximately 3" X 5") so the features are relatively small.

Bob

[Wes Bucey]

Originally Posted by e006823

I believe they will need a CMM with direct computer control (possibly noncontact/optical). There is a coplanarity requirement and True position requirement with a few hundred points of measurement per part (the part is approximately 3" X 5") so the features are relatively small.

Bob

Are we talking First Article Inspection or multiple pieces of same part?

How much business do you project (10 parts; 1,000; 100,000?)

Do you have a projected budget (money and time frame - parts per day/week/month)?

What is your crucial factor and purpose?
(Is this a time sensitive or money sensitive project? Is this to confirm manufacturer's measurement? Replace manufacturer's measurement? Act as incoming or outgoing inspection? Forensic inspection? Re-engineering inspection?)

Do you have limit on geographic location of inspection service?
What kind of licensing/certification do you need/want the inspection service to have?

Note:
I don't want to seem like an obsessive/compulsive, but I've been on both sides of fence (buyer and seller of measurement service) and there is a wide variance between capabilities and capacities of services. At some point you have to determine whether it is cost-effective to buy/lease instrumentation and do it yourself. (Check/compare pricing and training at Ram Optical, for example.)

[howste]

Here's one that I know of that does good work:

Dimensional Metrology Laboratory, Inc.
Riverside, CA
Angelito Bacani
(909) 782-9611

They have various CMMs - manual & DCC, contact and optical. They are ISO 9001:2000 certified. I also have their full address and email, but would rather not post it here due to risk of spam. If you want it, let me know.

[e006823]

Carolx, Howste et. al. Thanks for your help.

Originally Posted by Wes Bucey

Are we talking First Article Inspection or multiple pieces of same part?

How much business do you project (10 parts; 1,000; 100,000?)

Do you have a projected budget (money and time frame - parts per day/week/month)?

What is your crucial factor and purpose?
(Is this a time sensitive or money sensitive project? Is this to confirm manufacturer's measurement? Replace manufacturer's measurement? Act as incoming or outgoing inspection? Forensic inspection? Re-engineering inspection?)

Do you have limit on geographic location of inspection service?
What kind of licensing/certification do you need/want the inspection service to have?

Note:
I don't want to seem like an obsessive/compulsive, but I've been on both sides of fence (buyer and seller of measurement service) and there is a wide variance between capabilities and capacities of services. At some point you have to determine whether it is cost-effective to buy/lease instrumentation and do it yourself. (Check/compare pricing and training at Ram Optical, for example.)

a) One time arrangement.

b) One part, 13 pieces.

c) Sorry can't tell you.

d) 1) Time sensitive., a fast turn around required, about 3 days. 2) Incoming inspection.

e) 1) Continental U.S., Preferably the East coast., 2) 9k2k or 17025 compliant (preferably certified), I'd like to see a GR&R on the equipment used.

[Wes Bucey]

Originally Posted by e006823

Carolx, Howste et. al. Thanks for your help.

a) One time arrangement.

b) One part, 13 pieces.

c) Sorry can't tell you.

d) 1) Time sensitive., a fast turn around required, about 3 days. 2) Incoming inspection.

e) 1) Continental U.S., Preferably the East coast., 2) 9k2k or 17025 compliant (preferably certified), I'd like to see a GR&R on the equipment used.

Now is the time for our metrology pros to step to the plate and offer some suggestions.

This appears to be relatively straightforward:

• Prototype/special order quantity,
• require someone with automated CMM or RAM optical equivalent,
• open time to meet turnaround, and
• lab certified to a Standard.

Bob: I'm aware of the folks in Riverside. No complaints. Fedex makes anywhere in US an overnight proposition. Why not call them [Riverside] and see if they can accommodate you for time and capability?

I imagine you'll have to fax the print or email the CAD file for them to determine if they have capability to perform the inspection.

TIP: If they can't do it, ask them who can. Some of my best suppliers have come from referrals from ethical suppliers. I usually find a way to repay the favor.