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Inspection & Metrology

Validating Extreme Scale

Dimensional Control to the Micrometer

Manufacturing a 20-meter offshore component or a 50-ton heavy machine bed is only half the engineering challenge; scientifically verifying its geometric accuracy is the other. At Openex, we operate world-class, climate-controlled metrology labs explicitly designed for large-scale industrial inspection.

By integrating strict Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) checks throughout every phase of production, our metrology team provides 100% traceable inspection reporting. We mathematically compare final fabricated shapes directly to your original 3D CAD models, guaranteeing precise mating on your final assembly floor.

Our Metrology Capabilities

Massive Gantry CMM measuring a heavy component

Large Bridge & Gantry CMMs

We house massively scaled Coordinate Measuring Machines capable of enclosing entirely machined structures, large gearboxes, and aerospace engine components.

  • ✔ Ultra-high resolution probing.
  • ✔ Exact measurements for internal bores.
  • ✔ Automated run-out & concentricity checks.
Laser Tracker measuring heavy industrial weldment

Laser Tracking (Large Volume)

When a fabricated module is too massive for a CMM lab (such as a bridge section or offshore hull), we deploy portable laser trackers (e.g., FARO) directly onto the shop floor.

  • ✔ Measuring volume ranges exceeding 100 meters.
  • ✔ Perfect for verifying large flange flatness.
  • ✔ Instant CAD-to-Part dimensional feedback.
3D OPTICAL SCAN

Optical 3D Laser Scanning

Ideal for capturing complex contours on castings, forged shapes, and reverse-engineering wear parts. Optical scanning rapidly generates a "digital twin" cloud point mapping.

  • ✔ Heat-map reporting (Red/Green variance).
  • ✔ Non-contact measurement.
  • ✔ Enables fast reverse engineering for legacy OEM parts.

Metrology Range & Tolerances

The tolerances listed below are typical baselines for our equipment; real-world manufacturing limits depend strongly on part size and metallurgy.

Measuring Equipment Capacity / Reach Target Accuracy
Gantry CMM Parts up to X: 6m, Y: 3m, Z: 2.5m ~ 2 - 5 µm
Laser Tracker Systems Radius ranges up to 80 meters ~ 0.015 mm + 6 µm/m
Portable Scanning Arms Work volume ~ 1.5 to 3.5 meters ~ 0.035 mm volumetric

Metrology FAQs

What is the difference between a CMM and a Laser Tracker for inspection?

A Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) is a stationary device in a climate-controlled lab that uses a physical probe to touch points on a part for extremely high-accuracy measurements. It's ideal for smaller, complex components like engine blocks. A Laser Tracker is a portable device used on the factory floor that measures large distances (up to 160 meters) by following a mirrored target. It's used for inspecting massive fabrications like ship hulls or bridge sections that are too large to fit in a CMM lab.

What is Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T)?

GD&T is a symbolic language used on engineering drawings and 3D models to explicitly define the allowable variation in a part's geometry. Instead of just defining dimensions (like length or width), it controls features like flatness, concentricity, perpendicularity, and position. For example, it ensures that a bolt hole pattern on a flange is not only the right size but also in the perfect location and orientation to mate with another part. It is essential for ensuring complex assemblies fit together perfectly.

When is 3D Optical Scanning a better choice than CMM or Laser Tracking?

3D Optical Scanning is the best choice for capturing the full surface geometry of complex, free-form shapes, such as castings, forgings, or organic designs. While CMMs and Laser Trackers measure discrete points, a 3D scanner captures millions of points to create a dense "point cloud" or "digital twin" of the entire object. This makes it ideal for reverse engineering legacy parts, checking for wear and tear, or creating heat maps that show how a manufactured part deviates from its original CAD model across its entire surface.