Conversations around quality in metal additive manufacturing often focus on the flashy application of high-frequency, in situ, real-time monitoring systems and the neural networks or machine learning required for map-reduction of the mountains of data generated. There is, however, an often-overlooked aspect of consistently making high-quality parts: calibration.

Increasingly, manufacturers are looking at the potential of digital transformation to improve their competitiveness. The benefits in quality management are particularly compelling—offering the ability to optimize product quality and customers’ experiences by streamlining audits and reporting, improving batch and process manufacturing workflows, and synchronizing production centers to improve perfect order performance.

3D imaging technology plays a powerful role in industrial applications. Depending on the application requirements, such as distance to target, level of accuracy and precision, environmental lighting, and overall costs, different 3D technologies will bring different advantages.

The key to adapting successfully is not whether you use SPC-based quality management solutions, but how you get the most out of them as we move further into the 21st century.

Whether using ERP and MES systems, or even Excel, many manufacturers rely on data from numerous disparate sources to provide them with the information they need to create a quality product.