Quality and inspection options for custom parts
Put inspection requirements in one place before quoting: CMM reports, dimensional inspection, material certifications, FAI, CoCs, and per-drawing review for CNC, 3D printed, and sheet metal parts.
Inspection menu
Choose the documentation before the quote is finalized
Inspection is not one generic checkbox. Each option answers a different question: what material was used, which dimensions were measured, whether the first run matches the drawing, or what your customer needs for receiving.
| RFQ option | When to use it | Typical output | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Conformance (CoC) | Standard orders that need a formal shipment record. | Statement that parts were made to the purchase order and drawing.Good baseline documentation for internal receiving checks. | $ |
| Material certification (Mill Test Report) | Parts with controlled alloy, heat, grade, or customer traceability. | Material certification or mill test report when available.Useful for medical, robotics, industrial, and production programs. | $$ |
| Dimensional inspection report | Drawings with critical features that need recorded measurements. | Measured dimensions, tolerance status, and inspection method.Common bridge between simple shop checks and full CMM reporting. | $$ |
| CMM inspection report | Datum-based GD&T, tight features, or customer-required CMM data. | CMM inspection report for specified features.Available on request when the drawing defines what to inspect. | $$$ |
| First Article Inspection (FAI) | First production run, new revision, new supplier, or customer gate. | First article inspection package scoped during quote review.Best specified before quoting because it affects supplier routing. | $$$$ |
| PPAP (levels as applicable) | Customer programs that require PPAP-style production approval. | Requirement captured for supplier-fit and documentation review.Confirm exact level and deliverables during quoting. | $$$$$ |
| Surface finish measurement (Ra) | Sealing faces, bearing surfaces, cosmetic faces, or sliding contact. | Surface finish measurement for specified zones.Add callouts to the drawing so only functional surfaces are checked. | $$ |
| Hardness testing | Heat-treated metals, wear surfaces, or material-condition checks. | Hardness result using the drawing-specified scale.Specify the scale and acceptance range in the drawing or notes. | $$ |
| RoHS / REACH compliance | Products with material-restriction or customer compliance needs. | Requirement captured for material and supplier documentation review.Availability depends on material, supplier, and requested evidence. | $$ |
| Inspection per drawing requirements | Released drawings that already define inspection requirements. | Inspection scope follows the drawing notes and critical callouts.Use when your drawing is the source of truth for quality review. | $$$ |
Buying logic
Match inspection depth to part risk
First principle: inspection should reduce uncertainty, not add paperwork for its own sake. A rough fit-check bracket and a production-critical medical fixture should not carry the same documentation package.
Prototype fit check
Use standard manufacturing review and add a CoC only when your receiving team needs a shipment record.
Functional engineering build
Add material certification, dimensional reporting, or surface finish measurement for critical features.
Production approval
Scope FAI, CMM reporting, per-drawing inspection, and customer documentation before quote approval.
Documentation package
Put the required evidence in the RFQ, not in an email chain later
The quote should know whether your team needs a simple CoC, material traceability, recorded dimensions, CMM data, or a first article package. Late documentation changes can alter supplier fit, inspection time, and order release.
Inspection reports and MTRs on request
CMM inspection available on request
Customer forms can be attached to the RFQ
Drawing notes stay attached to the quote scope
Order workflow
How inspection travels through the order
Inspection scope needs to travel with the quote from the first review through shipment. That keeps the supplier, inspector, and receiving team aligned on the same requirements.
Upload files and drawing
Send the model, drawing, revision, and any customer quality notes together.
Select inspection needs
Choose CMM, dimensional report, material certs, FAI, or per-drawing review in the RFQ.
Quote the right scope
Inspection scope is reviewed with process, material, finish, and supplier fit.
Ship with documentation
The agreed inspection and documentation package is attached to the order.
Measurement methods
Specify what matters, then choose the inspection method
The most useful inspection plan starts with function. Bearing bores, sealing faces, datum relationships, and customer-controlled dimensions deserve different tools than non-critical envelope dimensions.
Drawing readiness
What to include before you quote
The cleaner the drawing package, the cleaner the inspection scope. If a requirement is only sitting in someone's inbox, it is easier to miss during quoting or supplier review.
Critical dimensions and datum structure
Material grade, temper, finish, and revision
Surface finish zones that need measurement
Inspection sample size or customer requirement
Required documents such as CoC, MTR, CMM report, or FAI
Any customer forms, templates, or acceptance criteria
RFQ handoff
Add inspection requirements while the quote is still flexible
Upload the CAD file, drawing, revision, quantity, and customer quality notes. Select the inspection options you already know, or choose "I am not sure" and describe the critical features.
Related custom manufacturing pages
Keep the inspection scope connected to the process, material, and drawing requirements behind the part.
Custom CNC parts with CMM inspection and documentation available on request.
Engineer-written guide to CMM, FAI, surface finish measurement, and inspection workflows.
Drawing notes, tolerances, datums, and callouts that shape inspection scope.
Quality and inspection questions
Short answers for common RFQ decisions around CMM reports, CoCs, MTRs, and FAI.