Gauges and Quality Control
Standard gauges can't check organic curves. We print conformal checking fixtures that wrap perfectly around your complex parts. For high-wear areas, we integrate metal drill bushings or dowel pins for hybrid accuracy.
Advantages
Essential tools for your success.
Conformal Verification (Perfect Fit)
Unlike standard steel gauges that are limited to simple shapes, AM allows us to print "Conformal Gauges" that wrap perfectly around complex, organic curves (e.g., automotive dashboards, molded handles).
Benefit: This enables you to check the entire surface profile of a part instantly, rather than measuring just a few discrete points with calipers.
Lightweight Ergonomics
Large metal checking fixtures are heavy and difficult to maneuver. Carbon-fiber reinforced polymer gauges are up to 70% lighter than aluminum equivalents.
Benefit: QC inspectors can handle these gauges all day without fatigue, reducing the risk of accidental drops or handling errors.
Integrated Multi-Point Inspection
Polymerate labs can consolidate multiple inspection steps into a single tool. A single printed fixture can check hole positions, flatness, and boundary dimensions simultaneously.
Benefit: drastically reduces the inspection time per part (Cycle Time) on the assembly line.
Non-Marring Contact
Metal gauges can scratch or dent the "Class-A" surfaces of finished parts (painted plastics, polished metals). Polymer gauges are softer than the metal parts they measure.
Benefit: Zero scrap caused by the inspection process itself.
Materials
TPU, PLA+, PA6-GF, PETG
| Material Class | Specific Grade | Best Use Case |
| High Stiffness | PA6-GF (Glass Fiber Nylon) | The "Metal Replacement." This is our standard for checking fixtures. The carbon fibers prevent the tool from warping or bending under load, ensuring measurement reliability. Testing Fixtures. If you are performing thermal cycle testing on a component, we use ABS/ASA fixtures that can withstand the heat of the testing chamber (up to 180°C). |
| Dimensionally Stable | PLA+ / Tough PLA | Visual & Go/No-Go Gauges. Ideal for quick "pass/fail" gauges that are used intermittently. It is very rigid and holds dimensions well at room temperature. |
| Wear Resistant | PETG | Shop Floor Gauges. Offers a good balance of stiffness and impact resistance. Unlike PLA, it won't crack if dropped on a concrete floor. |
| Soft Touch | TPU (95A) | Checking Fixture Nests. Used to create the "bed" or "nest" that holds a delicate part while it is being measured by a CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine). |
Questions?
Frequently asked questions
For more assistance or questions reach out to us on Polymerate.labs@gmail.com or +91 9618566627 or click the below.
Yes, but with specific design strategies. We typically hold ±0.1 mm on printed features. For tighter tolerances (e.g., H7 hole fits), we print the holes slightly undersized and ream them or press-fit metal drill bushings to achieve precision down to microns.
Yes. Send us the CAD file of the part you want to inspect and tell us what needs checking (e.g., "Check the position of these 4 mounting holes"). Our DfAM team will reverse-engineer a checking fixture that perfectly mates with your part.
Polymerate Labs can typically print and assemble a functional checking fixture in 3-5 days, helping you validate your production line start-up much faster.
500+ Industrial products manufactured till date.
Project case studies coming soon!!