Quality standards & services, for startups & enterprises.
Our quality standards & options for all our manufacturing services.
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Our Quality Inspection capabilities
Ponoko and our network facilities utilize state-of-the-art equipment for inspections tailored to your needs:
Quality Inspection Capabilities
Coordinate Measurement Machine (CMM)
Optical Comparator (Profile Projector)
Image Dimension Measurement System
Non-Contact Profilometer
Micrometers and Calipers
Variety of Gauges (telescoping, bore, height, surface roughness, feeler, thread, pin)
Gauge blocks and gauge pins
Ring and thread gauges
3D scanners
Shadowgraph devices
Mass Spectrometer (XRF) to validate material compositions
Quality Documentation
Standard Inspection
Dimensional Inspection Report
CMM Dimensional Inspection Report
First Article Inspection (FAI) Report
Certificate of Conformance
Material Certificate
Material Test Report
REACH and RoHS
Custom Inspection (Drawing & Specification required)
Quality Certifications
AS9100D
ISO 9001:2015
IATF 16949:2016
CO2 Laser Cutting Standards (Non-Metals)
Edge to Edge Cut Tolerances
The cut tolerance depends on the material and specific thickness. Refer to this chart for specific material tolerances. Thicker materials may have a tolerance deviation on the bottom face due to the tapered/conical profile of the laser’s beam.
Material Thickness Tolerances
Independent of cutting tolerances. Rely on the raw stock material’s tolerance range from the manufacturer. See individual material pages for specific tolerance.
Edge Angle Tolerance
Laser cut edges are not perfectly square to the top surface due to inherent tapering in laser cutting. Edge angle tolerance is +/- 2 degrees.
Edge Condition of Parts
Sheet materials will have vertical striations on the edge. Acrylics & plastics will have a laser-polished/melted edge, while non-plastics will have a carbonized edge. A small bump may be present where the cutting profile begins and ends.
Material Flatness
Cannot be guaranteed, as it depends on raw stock material. Material flatness may affect cut quality and angle.
Fine, Intricate, or Dense Geometry
May result in tolerances outside the normal range due to heat buildup and a larger heat-affected zone.
Small Holes
Will not be perfectly round. Reaming is recommended if precision is needed.
Textured Sheets (e.g., Matte Acrylic)
Only one side has a textured finish unless explicitly stated otherwise. The textured side faces up during processing.
Grain-Oriented Materials
Orientation of material with grain is at Ponoko's discretion, typically running along the x-axis (horizontally across the customer design as viewed onscreen).
Protective Paper on Materials
Materials will be delivered with protective paper unless finishing services are selected.
Sheet Metal Sheet Fabrication Standards
Edge to Edge Cut Tolerances
± 0.12mm (Note thicker materials may have a tolerance deviation on the bottom face due to the tapered/conical profile of the laser’s beam.)
Material Thickness Tolerances
Independent of cutting tolerances. Rely on the raw stock material’s tolerance range from the manufacturer. Refer to individual material pages for specific tolerance.
Material Flatness
Ponoko cannot guarantee flatness for sheet cut materials except for those labeled as “precision ground.”
Edge Condition of Parts
Parts cut from sheet materials will have vertical striations rather than smooth, polished edges.
Lead-in/Lead-out or Micro-joints
May show small bumps, divots, or different edge conditions where the cutting profile begins and ends, or where micro-joints are used to secure parts during cutting.
Holes (0.100” or smaller)
May be slightly larger on the top face than standard tolerances due to the cutter piercing the material near the hole's cut line.
Fine, Intricate, or Dense Geometry
May result in tolerances outside the normal range due to heat buildup and a larger heat-affected zone.
Pre-finished or Textured Sheets
Sheets such as brushed or polished stock may have only one side with the cosmetic finish.
Protective Film on Parts
Parts may be shipped with protective film still applied to prevent damage to cosmetic finishes.
Halo Discoloration Near Cut Edges
Some materials may show a small halo discoloration from vaporized material overspray near the cut edges.
Surface Condition
As-cut parts may have minor imperfections, scratches, and burrs on sheet metal edges resulting from the cutting process.
CNC Machining Standards
Tolerances without drawing
ISO 2768 Medium
CNC Milling Tolerances with drawing
± 0.008mm
CNC Turning Tolerances with drawing
± 0.008mm
Machine Tool Marks
May leave a swirl-like pattern. Unless specified, surface finish will be 125uin / 3.2um Ra or better.
Exposed Sharp Edges
Will be broken and deburred by default.
Surface Condition
Surfaces will be free of Foreign Object Debris (FOD), including cutting fluid, metal chips, foreign objects, and other debris.
Clear or Transparent Plastics
Will have a matte finish or translucent swirl marks on any machined face. Bead blasting leaves a frosted finish on clear plastics.
Threads
Will be fully formed and cut to the specified size and class as indicated in provided drawings. Threads will be free of defects, damage, and contamination.
Countersinks
Will be round and made to print specifications, allowing proper fit with the mating screw. Countersinks will be free of burrs, chatter, or other tooling defects.
Sheet Metal Bending Standards
Edge to bend tolerance
± 0.38mm
Multi bend tolerance (across 2+ bends)
± 0.76mm
Bend to hole or internal cut feature tolerance
± 0.38mm
Overall edge-to-edge on formed part tolerance
± 0.76mm
Bend angle tolerance on bends up to 24″ long
± 1°
Bend angle tolerance on bends longer than 24″ long
± 2°
Edge-to-feature tolerance (over multiple formed surfaces)
± 0.76mm
Edge-to-edge features tolerance (over flat surfaces tolerance)
± 0.25mm
Material thickness tolerance.
Refer to individual material pages.
Edge condition
Some bulging at the ends of the bend will be expected.
Surface condition
Witness marks from the bending process will be visible. These can become deeper and more noticeable depending on the material.
Waterjet Fabrication Standards
Edge to Edge Cut Tolerances
± 0.25mm
Material Thickness Tolerances
Independent of cutting tolerances. Rely on the raw stock material’s tolerance range from the manufacturer. See individual material pages for specific tolerance.
Material Flatness
Cannot be guaranteed, as it depends on raw stock material. Material flatness may affect cut quality and angle.
Tolerance Deviation on Thicker Materials
Parts made from thicker materials may have a tolerance deviation on the bottom face due to tapers inherent in waterjet cutting.
Hole Size Tolerances
Holes of 2.54mm or smaller in diameter may be slightly larger on the top face due to cutter piercing the material near the hole's cut line.
Inside Angles (Acute Angles)
Will have a slight radius due to the shape and size of the waterjet stream. Corner radius will be 0.8mm due to the 1.6mm diameter of the waterjet stream.
Edge Condition
Parts cut from sheet materials will have vertical striations rather than smooth, polished edges, affecting transparency on clear plastics.
Lead-in/Lead-out or Micro-joints
A small bump or divot may be present at the lead-in and lead-out of the cutting profile, and/or where micro-joints are required to secure parts during cutting.
Surface Condition
Some cut materials may show a small halo discoloration from backsplash near the cut edges. As-cut parts may have minor imperfections, scratches, and burrs on sheet edges resulting from the cutting process.
Pre-Finished/Textured Sheets
May have only one side with the cosmetic finish (e.g., brushed or polished stock).
Protective Film
Parts may be shipped with protective film applied to prevent damage to cosmetic finishes.
Fiber Laser Marking Standards
Positioning Accuracy (Edge of part to marked artwork)
± 0.25mm
Marked Artwork Size Accuracy
± 0.12mm
Sheet metal PCM Standards
Edge to Edge Cut Tolerance
± 0.12mm
Cutting Kerf width
± 0.18mm
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
General Tolerances (Parts < 14x16”)
±0.25mm for the first 25mm, then ±0.05mm for every additional 25mm.
General Tolerances (Parts > 14x16”)
±0.33mm for the first 25mm, then ±0.05mm for every additional 25mm.
Small Features
Features under 1.14mm may not print successfully
Precision Features
Modeled threads & precision features may not print accurately, especially if under 1.14mm. Post production operations are recommended for these situations.
Small Holes
Holes smaller than 1mm, horizontal holes (holes printed in the z-axis) may not be cylindrical.
Build Orientation
Optimized for overall surface quality and minimum build time unless otherwise specified.
Surface Condition
Surfaces will have visible ridges and valleys due to its layer-by-layer deposition process. Surfaces with shallow inclines will have exaggerated stepping of the print layers.
Finishing/Post-Processing
General tolerances apply before secondary finishing or post-processing unless otherwise specified.
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
General Tolerances
± 0.25mm for the first mm, plus ± 0.05mm for every additional mm thereafter.
Build Orientation
Optimized for overall surface quality and minimum build time unless otherwise specified.
Thicker Geometries & Large Parts
Parts with thicker geometries, flat or broad parts (>7”), and parts with uneven wall thicknesses may experience significant deviations or warping due to thermal shrinkage and stress.
Finishing/Post-Processing
General tolerances apply before secondary finishing or post-processing unless otherwise specified.
Small Holes
Irregular, deep holes, or holes smaller than 1.0mm/0.040" may shrink or sinter shut.
Precision Features
Modeled threads & precision features may not print accurately, especially if under 1.14mm. Post production operations are recommended for these situations.
Multi Jet Fusion (MJF)
Build Orientation
MJF parts are typically built at an angle for a more consistent surface finish.
Thicker Geometries & Large Parts
Parts with thicker geometries, flat or broad parts (>7”), and parts with uneven wall thicknesses may experience significant deviations or warping due to thermal shrinkage and stress.
Finishing/Post-Processing
General tolerances apply before secondary finishing or post-processing unless otherwise specified.
Small Holes
Irregular, deep holes, or holes smaller than 1.0mm/0.040" may shrink or sinter shut.
Tighter Tolerances
May be possible with a manual quote review and must be approved on a case-by-case basis.
Stereolithography (SLA)
XY Plane Tolerance
±0.127mm for the first 25mm, plus ±0.05mm for every 25mm thereafter
Z Plane Tolerance
±0.2.54mm for the first 25mm, plus ±0.05mm for every 25mm thereafter
Minimum Linear Feature Size
under 0.8mm may not print successfully and under 0.5mm will not print successfully
Minimum Radial Feature Size
0.89mm
Build Orientation
Optimized for overall surface quality and minimum build time unless otherwise specified.
Precision Features
Modeled threads & precision features may not print accurately, especially if under 1.14mm. Post production operations are recommended for these situations.
Finishing/Post-Processing
General tolerances apply before secondary finishing or post-processing unless otherwise specified.
PolyJet
General Tolerances
±0.1mm for the first 25mm, plus ±0.05mm for every 25mm thereafter.
Build Orientation
Optimized for overall surface quality and minimum build time unless otherwise specified.
Material Hardness
Rubber-like materials represent an approximation of shore A values and may vary between geometries.
Finishing/Post-Processing
General tolerances apply before secondary finishing or post-processing unless otherwise specified.
Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS)
General Tolerances
±0.13mm for the first 25mm, plus ±0.05mm for every 25mm thereafter.
Tolerance Variability
Tolerance expectations can vary across different materials (e.g., stainless steel vs. aluminum).
Internal Stresses & Flatness
Internal stresses during build, support strategy, and other geometry considerations may cause deviation in tolerances and flatness. Items and geometries requiring strict flatness are not a good fit for this process.
Surface Roughness
150-400 µin Ra (depending on material and build orientation).
Precision Features
Modeled threads & precision features may not print accurately, especially if under 1.14mm. Post production operations are recommended for these situations.
Finishing/Post-Processing
General tolerances apply before secondary finishing or post-processing unless otherwise specified.
Metal Binder Jetting (MBJ)
General Tolerances
Parts may shrink 0.8% - 2.5% after processing, depending on size and geometry. Improved tolerances may be possible after manual review and prototype build.
Shrinkage of Internal Geometries
Slots and holes may shrink as much as 5%.
Features < 1.0mm
May not print successfully.
Modeled Threads & Precision Features
May not print accurately, especially if under 1.0mm. Post-production operations are recommended for these situations.
Build Orientation
Typically oriented in the lowest Z direction.
Material Composition
Metal binder jet parts are made in ExOne 420i metal, consisting of roughly 60% 420 stainless steel and 40% bronze infiltration.
Density
95%+ for infiltrated parts, 98%+ for single alloy parts (density is homogeneous).
Surface Roughness
30 to 200 µin Ra (depending on material, build orientation, and finish).
Finishing/Post-Processing
General tolerances apply before secondary finishing or post-processing unless otherwise specified.
CNC Routing fabrication standards
Edge to Edge Cut Tolerances
± 0.13mm
Material Thickness Tolerances
Independent of cutting tolerances; rely on raw stock material's tolerance range from the manufacturer. Refer to material pages for specifics.
Material Flatness
Ponoko cannot guarantee material flatness, as it depends on the raw stock material.
Inside Angles (Acute Angles)
Will have a slight radius due to the round cutting tool. Radius will be 1.6mm due to the tool’s 3.2mm diameter.
Material Grain Orientation
Materials with grain are oriented at Ponoko's discretion, typically with the grain running along the x-axis or along the long edge of the part.
Witness Marks or Steps
Finished parts may include small witness marks or steps on edges, and light burning on the inside and outside of the part.
Fixturing Tabs
All parts machined using the CNC router will have small fixturing tabs left over on the edges unless additional finishing processes are selected.
Fibrous Materials
May experience tear-out around the cut edge.
Injection Molding Standards
Mold Machining Tolerances
± 0.13mm when machining the mold with an additional ±0.051mm per 25.4mm for shrink rate calculation.
Tighter Tolerances
Can be requested, but may increase tooling costs.
Part-to-Part Repeatability
Typically under ± 0.1mm.
Pantone Color Match
Exact match cannot be guaranteed.
Cores, Side Actions, and Tooling Strategy
Determined by Ponoko unless explicitly discussed.
Gating, Ejection, Knit Lines, and Parting Lines
At the discretion of Ponoko unless explicitly discussed.
PCB Manufacturing Standards
Board Thickness
< 1.0mm: ±15% > 1.0mm: ±10%
Soldermask offset
±3mil
Dimensional deviation
±0.2mm
Warping angle
±1%
Test method
A.O.I.,Fly Probe Testing, E-test fixture
Glass transition ℃
>130°C
Cleanliness
IPC or better
Laser Tube Cutting Standards
Edge-to-Edge Cut Tolerances
± 0.25mm nominal. Normalized surfaces may flare outer features.
Holes
Holes of 2.54mm or smaller may exceed standard tolerances due to material pierce near the hole's profile.
Fine, Intricate, or Dense Geometry
May result in tolerances outside the normal range due to heat buildup and a larger heat-affected zone.
Material Thickness Tolerances
Thickness tolerances are independent of cutting tolerances, relying on raw stock material's tolerance range. Tolerance measurements assume maximum material condition of the stock.
Tolerance Deviation on Thicker Materials
May occur on the bottom face due to inherent cutting tapers.
Lead-In/Lead-Out Conditions
A small material bump or different edge condition may occur at the lead-in and lead-out of the cutting profile.
Deburring
Large burrs and tabs will be removed; parts are not fully deburred before shipment with a standard, as-cut finish.
Surface Condition
Some cut materials may show a small halo discoloration from backsplash near the cut edges. As-cut parts may have minor imperfections, scratches, and burrs on sheet metal edges resulting from the cutting process.
Laser Tube Bending Standards
Tube Bending Standards
Reflect draw bending or mandrel bending techniques; other methods require agreed-upon functional specifications at order time.
Tube Sheath Envelope Tolerance
Typically +/- 0.125".
Cumulative Tolerances (Bent Tube Features)
Ovality at Tube Bend
Should not exceed 10% (5% to 8% typical) of averaged measured OD vs. nominal OD.
Ovality Equation
((Max Ø - Min Ø) ÷ specified Ø) x 100.
Overview of Our Quality Inspection Process
At the heart of our manufacturing process lies a robust quality inspection process that ensures each and every part meets the highest standards of precision and quality. Whether it’s a custom laser-cut part or a complex 3D-printed model, our state-of-the-art facilities and team of expert inspectors guarantee that every part that leaves our factory meets the required tolerances and specifications.
Our quality inspection process is built around a range of different methods, each designed to meet the unique needs of different parts and applications. The first of these is our standard inspection, which provides a basic level of quality assurance for parts that don’t require the highest levels of precision. For parts that require a higher level of precision, we offer a standard inspection with a dimensional report. This service adds an additional layer of quality assurance, providing a detailed report on the dimensions and tolerances of the part. This is particularly useful for parts that require a high degree of accuracy, such as gears, motors, and other mechanical components.
One of our primary tools for measuring parts is our coordinate measurement machine (CMM). A CMM is a highly advanced piece of equipment that uses a probe to measure the dimensions of a part by probing specific locations on the part. The probe is attached to a series of motors and actuators that allow it to move in a controlled manner, and the use of a laser or other light source enables accurate readings to be taken.
In addition to our standard and CMM inspection services, we also offer a First Article Inspection Report (FAIR) per AS9102. This service is specifically designed for the aerospace and defense industries, providing a comprehensive report on the quality and accuracy of the first production part before full-scale production begins. The FAIR includes a range of different measurements and tests, including dimensional checks, material verification, and surface finish analysis. This service is essential for those who require strict compliance with aerospace industry standards.
By integrating Additive Part Inspections, we enhance our commitment to delivering exceptional quality in every part we produce, providing our clients with confidence in the integrity and performance of their components. This is particularly beneficial for industries where compliance and precision are non-negotiable, reinforcing our dedication to quality throughout the entire manufacturing process.
Why You Need a Quality Inspection Service
In today's fast-paced manufacturing environment, ensuring the quality of each part produced is of utmost importance. Whether it's a prototype or a final product, a quality inspection service plays a vital role in guaranteeing that every part meets strict standards, functions as expected, and exhibits consistency in its performance.
For prototype parts, quality inspection is particularly crucial as it ensures that the manufactured parts accurately represent the design being developed. This is essential for identifying potential issues in the design before committing to expensive manufacturing processes such as injection moulding.
In contrast, final parts require quality inspection to ensure that they behave as expected when deployed in the field. This is especially critical for mission-critical applications such as medical systems, industrial systems, and aerospace platforms. In these high-stakes environments, any variation in performance can have severe consequences, making quality inspection a non-negotiable aspect of the manufacturing process.
In addition to ensuring quality and consistency, quality inspection services also provide valuable insights into the manufacturing process. By analyzing the results of quality inspections, manufacturers can identify areas for improvement, optimize their production processes, and make data-driven decisions to enhance their overall quality control strategy. This, in turn, can lead to increased efficiency, reduced costs, and improved customer satisfaction.
Certifications to Meet Your Needs
In today's fast-paced world of engineering, the term "quality inspection" is often thrown around, but has effectively lost meaning in the modern field of engineering. The importance of quality inspection and control cannot be overstated, as it directly affects the performance and reliability of any product.
However, simply stating that a product has been quality inspected is not enough; it is essential to demonstrate that it has met specific standards and requirements. This is where certifications to meet your needs come into play, providing a level of credibility and assurance that a product has undergone rigorous testing and meets certain criteria.
There are several types of certifications that a product can obtain, each serving a different purpose. A certificate of conformance, for example, is a document that confirms a part meets the specifications of the part drawing. A material certificate, on the other hand, is a document that provides information about the composition and properties of a particular material. A material test report is a document that summarizes the results of material testing, including its chemical composition, mechanical properties, and other relevant characteristics.
In addition to these types of certifications, there are also industry-specific certifications that are required for certain products. For example, REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals) and RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) are two such certifications that are required for electronic products. REACH certification ensures that a product does not contain any harmful chemicals, while RoHS certification ensures that a product does not contain any hazardous substances.
Our many years of manufacturing expertise mean that we know exactly where and how to apply each certification and standard, helping our customers meet the required standards. By obtaining the necessary certifications tailored to meet your needs, we can provide our customers with a level of assurance that their products will meet the required standards, ensuring their success in the market. At the same time, we can also provide our customers with a competitive edge in the market by demonstrating our commitment to quality and safety.
Quality Control At Ponoko
As a manufacturer, it is imperative that the parts being produced meet the strict quality standards that customers demand. From precision engineering to high-end medical equipment, the importance of quality in manufactured parts cannot be understated. However, the process of quality inspection is not only time-consuming but also incredibly challenging, especially for those with limited experience in the field.
This is where our quality inspection services come in. With over a decade of experience in manufacturing, we have an in-depth understanding of the various quality standards that customers require. By leveraging our extensive knowledge, customers can take advantage of our quality control services to eliminate errors and identify potential issues before they manifest.
Our ability to identify challenges before they become major problems is a result of our precision record of over 99.7% across 2 million+ parts. This record not only demonstrates our capability to produce high-quality parts but also our ability to monitor and control our manufacturing output. By utilizing our quality inspection services, customers can have complete confidence in the quality of their parts, knowing that they have been produced to the highest standards.
In addition to the quality of our parts, our services also provide customers with the opportunity to reduce costs associated with quality inspection. By outsourcing quality inspection to a third-party service provider, manufacturers can eliminate the need for in-house quality control teams, thereby reducing labor and training costs. Furthermore, our ability to produce high-quality parts in large quantities also helps to reduce the overall cost of production, making us an ideal choice for those looking to scale their manufacturing operations.
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