{"id":17282,"date":"2024-03-18T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-18T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/?p=17282"},"modified":"2026-03-26T07:40:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T11:40:18","slug":"quality-inspection-planning-with-solid-edge-inspector","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/quality-inspection-planning-with-solid-edge-inspector\/","title":{"rendered":"Quality inspection planning with Solid Edge Inspector"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Inspection Planning Process<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Quality is an important competitive factor. To achieve desired quality, all departments from product planning through design and manufacturing, to service, must be integrated into the quality process.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Inspection Planning is a critical part of the quality process. Generally, as part of this process we&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Balloon the dimensions and notes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Generate the bill of characteristics data.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create First Article Inspection reports.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Challenges<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The following are some challenges with the manual or semi-automated process:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The manual process is error-prone.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Time-consuming process.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Delay product release to market.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Solution<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The best process for this inspection planning is, that the solution should do the following:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Automatically balloon the dimensions and generate a bill of characteristics from CAD models and drawings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Automate the creation of inspection reports.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make quality data available to other departments or suppliers in a CAD-neutral format.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>should support change management support i.e. it should be able to manage and revise the quality data.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Support model-based design.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Easy to use and configure according to industry standards.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Solid Edge Inspector Product Overview<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Solid Edge Inspector is an add-on solution on top of Solid Edge which automates the ballooning process and generation of bill of characteristic data with the creation of Inspection reports. It also supports the change management process and the exchange of inspection information to downstream applications like Inspection programming and quality processes. The ballooning and generation of characteristic data is even possible in model-based design with PMIs. It&#8217;s a fully configurable solution so it\u2019s easier to adhere to industry standards.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let us go through these steps in detail. The first step would be defining the tolerance standards based on the selected part. Sometimes we don\u2019t define the tolerances on the dimensions. So, in this case, the tolerance values for the dimensions will be read from the standards we select. The next step is the manual or auto ballooning process, in addition to this, the solution also updates the CN table i.e. bill of characteristic data.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"529\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/03\/image.png\" alt=\"Tolerance tables in Solid Edge\n\" class=\"wp-image-17283\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/03\/image.png 940w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/03\/image-600x338.png 600w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/03\/image-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/03\/image-395x222.png 395w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/03\/image-900x506.png 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tolerance tables, ballooned dimensions &amp; CN Table.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Solid Edge Inspector Tutorial: Ballooning and Characteristic Identification\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/1dC9WQ_k3Ac?list=PLBDBAE0719D7C3456\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Watch the video for complete walkthrough of the ballooning process.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Dimensions are ballooned with a unique number. The bill of characteristics is automatically populated once ballooning is performed. All the design characteristics are converted to quality characteristics and can be viewed in the CN table. Many operations can be performed from the CN table such as:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Editing the balloon<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Modifying the class of dimensions&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Applying filters<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Adding or removing columns<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Adding notes against the dimensions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The information above is what will printed during the first article inspection reports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"529\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/03\/image.png\" alt=\"CN display table in Solid Edge\" class=\"wp-image-17284\" style=\"width:840px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/03\/image.png 940w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/03\/image-600x338.png 600w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/03\/image-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/03\/image-395x222.png 395w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/03\/image-900x506.png 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">CN Table &amp; context menu options. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We can extract the bill of characteristic data and share it with downstream applications like inspection programming and quality control processes. Even first-article inspection reports can be created using out-of-the-box templates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Solid Edge Inspector Tutorial: CN Table - Bill of Characteristics\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_FWOiP51sbY?list=PLBDBAE0719D7C3456\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Watch the detailed video for managing the characteristic data.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"529\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/03\/image-1.png\" alt=\"Export and report options - Solid Edge\n\" class=\"wp-image-17285\" style=\"width:840px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/03\/image-1.png 940w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/03\/image-1-600x338.png 600w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/03\/image-1-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/03\/image-1-395x222.png 395w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/03\/image-1-900x506.png 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Figure displaying export &amp; report options.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"928\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/03\/image-2.png\" alt=\"FAI report in Solid Edge\" class=\"wp-image-17286\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/03\/image-2.png 940w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/03\/image-2-600x592.png 600w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/03\/image-2-768x758.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/03\/image-2-900x889.png 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Displaying sample FAI report.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Solid Edge Inspector Tutorial: Export Project\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/UNG5725_fKg?list=PLBDBAE0719D7C3456\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Watch the detailed video on exporting the Bill of Characteristics and the creation of FAI reports.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We saw the Solid Edge Inspector product overview on how it helps in the Inspection planning process. The solution integrates well with Teamcenter allowing us to create and manage inspection data within Teamcenter, and utilize the same data in downstream applications like TC Quality and Opcenter.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Benefits<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Reduction of inspection planning time by up to 80% with automatic ballooning and BoC\u2019s data generation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Adhering to company standards as the solution is fully configurable.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improved quality with ballooning and report generation process.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Release product faster to market with design and quality integrated process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"about-siemens-solid-edge\"><strong>About Siemens Solid Edge<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Solid Edge is a part of the&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sw.siemens.com\/en-US\/digital-transformation\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Siemens Xcelerator\u2122 portfolio<\/a>, the comprehensive and integrated portfolio of software and services from Siemens Digital Industries Software, and provides an innovative and comprehensive approach to product development for the mainstream market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More information about what\u2019s new in our latest Solid Edge 2024 release is available&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/solidedge.siemens.com\/en\/solutions\/products\/complete-product-development-portfolio\/solid-edge-2024\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"join-the-conversation\"><strong>Join the conversation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are a lot of\u202fways to\u202fhear\u202fwhat others are saying about the upcoming release\u202fand\u202fto\u202fconnect with\u202fother\u202fSolid Edge enthusiasts\u202fonline.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are a few ways to join the conversation right now:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Keep up with #SolidEdge2024\u202fon\u202f<a href=\"http:\/\/facebook.com\/solidedge\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Facebook<\/a>,\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/SiemensSoftware\/playlists?view=50&amp;sort=dd&amp;shelf_id=8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">YouTube<\/a>,\u202f<a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/siemenssoftware\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Twitter<\/a>,\u202fand\u202f<a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/siemenssoftware\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">LinkedIn<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Join our\u202fvibrant online\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/community.sw.siemens.com\/s\/topic\/0TO4O000000MihiWAC\/solid-edge\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Solid Edge Community<\/a>\u202fto connect and interact with other Solid Edge users.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Inspection Planning Process Quality is an important competitive factor. To achieve desired quality, all departments from product planning through design&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":78793,"featured_media":17283,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spanish_translation":"","french_translation":"","german_translation":"","italian_translation":"","polish_translation":"","japanese_translation":"","chinese_translation":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1,96,102],"tags":[193,224,568],"industry":[],"product":[439],"coauthors":[11342],"class_list":["post-17282","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-tips-tricks","category-whats-new","tag-computer-aided-design-cad","tag-next-generation-design","tag-solid-edge","product-solid-edge"],"featured_image_url":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/03\/image.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17282","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/78793"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17282"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17282\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17293,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17282\/revisions\/17293"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17283"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17282"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17282"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17282"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=17282"},{"taxonomy":"product","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product?post=17282"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=17282"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}