Guest Post by: Kushal Patil, Application Engineer – Subscription, BEACON India

SOLIDWORKS Inspection is a quality-documentation tool that automates ballooning
drawings and First Article Inspection (FAI) reports (e.g., AS9102, PPAP). It reads
dimensions and GD&T from 2D drawings (PDF/DWG/DXF) and 3D models (with PMI),
builds a Bill of Characteristics, and exports Excel/PDF reports – dramatically cutting the
time and error risk compared to manual methods.

What is SOLIDWORKS Inspection?
SOLIDWORKS Inspection is a standalone app and an add-in for SOLIDWORKS CAD that
creates inspection documentation such as ballooned drawings and inspection reports
(AS9102, PPAP, custom templates). You can use it without being a CAD power user, simply
open a PDF/TIFF/DWG/DXF drawing (or a 3D CAD file with PMI), let the software
extract characteristics, and export your Excel/PDF reports.

Why do organizations use it?

• Speed: Reduce creation time for FAI/In-process inspection documents from hours to
  minutes. (Auto-ballooning + auto data extraction)
• Accuracy: Eliminate copy-paste and manual typing errors using OCR/PMI extraction
  and controlled templates.
• Compliance: Produce AS9102 (aerospace) and PPAP-style forms that align with
  customer/industry standards (AS9102 Rev B and C supported in recent releases).
• Flexibility: Works with PDF/TIFF, DWG/DXF, and 3D CAD (SOLIDWORKS,
  CATIA, Creo, NX, etc.).
• Traceability: Balloon numbers map to report line items; revisions can be compared to
  highlight changes.

When should you use it?

• First Article Inspections (FAI): Before production ramp, to validate first runs
  (AS9102).
• In-Process & Final QC: IPQC/FQC sampling and production checks,auto-generated
  check sheets and filtered exports.
• Supplier Qualification: Standardize documentation and reduce back-and-forth with
  vendors.
• Revisions/Engineering Change: Quickly see what changed and update reports.

How does it work?
1) Open the Project

• Standalone: Import a PDF/TIFF/DWG/DXF or 3D CAD file with PMI
  (SOLIDWORKS, CATIA V5, Creo, NX, etc.).
• Add-in: Open the native SLDDRW/SLDPRT/SLDASM inside SOLIDWORKS and
  launch the Inspection tab.

2) Extract Characteristics (The ‘magic’ part)

• Use Auto Extract/Smart Extract to read dimensions, tolerances, and GD&T
  automatically.
• For PDFs/TIFFs, the integrated OCR identifies values (nominal, ± tol, symbol type).
• You can also manually balloon specific items or adjust classification
  (Key/Critical/etc.).

3) Classify & Filter

• Mark Key, Major/Minor, or custom categories (e.g., Layout, IPQC, FQC).
• Filter to show only what a team needs; export filtered reports.

4) Export Reports

• Output Excel or PDF using AS9102 (Forms 1–3), PPAP-style, or custom templates.

5) SW Inspection Professional – Enter Results & Import CMM Data

• Inspection Professional lets you manually enter measured values or import CMM data to auto-flag Pass/Fail.

Common Questions (from non-CAD users)
Q1. Do I need SOLIDWORKS CAD to use it?
No. Use Inspection Standalone with PDFs or DWG/DXF. The Add-in is only if you already
work inside SOLIDWORKS CAD.
Q2. Can it read my supplier’s PDFs?
Yes. That’s a core use case. OCR extracts text/tolerances directly from PDFs/TIFFs.
Q3. Can I generate only Key characteristics for the shop floor?
Yes – filter by classification and export.
Q4. What about aerospace FAI?
Use the built-in AS9102 templates. For Rev C, ensure you’re on Inspection 2025+.
Q5. Can I import CMM results?
Yes (Professional): import CSV/TXT; the tool will flag Pass/Fail per tolerance.

Practical Walkthrough (Non-CAD Friendly)

1. Start a Project (Standalone) → drag-and-drop your PDF.
2. Click Auto Extract → balloons and a characteristics list are built for you.
3. Tag Key/Critical items → Filter the list.
4. Export Excel/PDF with your company logo/template.
5. In Professional, add measured values or import CMM results → Pass/Fail is
   automatic.

Do’s and Don’ts (to Avoid Rework)

• Do standardize your templates (logos, column names, tolerances).
• Do set classification rules (Key/Major/Minor) for consistent filtering.
• Do update to a version that supports your required standard (e.g., AS9102 Rev C
  needs 2025+).
• Don’t expect filtered exports to renumber balloons – that’s not supported; duplicate
  the project and remove unwanted characteristics if you must restart numbering.
  For more info on SOLIDWORKS Inspection & Overview (official product page):
  https://www.solidworks.com/product/solidworks-inspection

Final Takeaway
SOLIDWORKS Inspection is not just for CAD users. It’s a quality & compliance
accelerator, pull in drawings or 3D models, auto-extract characteristics, classify, and
export standards-compliant reports. You’ll ship faster, reduce mistakes, and keep auditors
and customers happy.

Guest Post by: Kushal Patil, Application Engineer – Subscription, BEACON India

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