Digital GD&T control features validation from 3D CAD to metrology software

Geometrical Dimensions and Tolerances (GD&T) verification is a critical step in product validation in the manufacturing industry. This involves measuring a sample part with a Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) and using a CAD model (usually customer's) as a reference. This process verifies that the GD&T controls defined in the design, are met in the manufacturing process. This is often called Initial Sample Inspection Report (ISIR) or First Article Inspection (FAI). As part of this process, the CMM measures the critical features of the sample part against the reference model according to the GD&T control features. Despite recent advances in digitizing manufacturing, it's still common practice to extract GD&T information from 2D drawings and input them manually into the CMM software. However, some CAD data exchange platforms have capability to include Product Manufacturing Information (PMI) in the 3D model. If the GD&T controls are defined in 3D model in the design phase, importing them into Metrology software can significantly reduce the validation time. This article investigates the process of embedding GD&T controls into a 3D CAD model and importing them into Metrology software as part of PMI information to achieve fully digitized validation of a manufactured product.