Initial Sample Inspection to VDA

Initial sample inspection – with a complete inspection report

Before a new part goes into series production, it must be proven that it conforms to the drawing. We carry out the metrological initial sample inspection for you: every characteristic on your drawing is numbered, measured and evaluated – documented in an initial sample inspection report (EMPB) according to VDA.

When you need an initial sample inspection
For new parts, after changes to the drawing, tool or process, when changing supplier or production site – or when your customer requires an EMPB.

Independently inspected
As an external testing laboratory, we measure impartially: for suppliers who want to verify their initial samples before delivery, and for buyers who want an independent inspection.

Our part of the EMPB: the measurement
We provide the complete dimensional inspection of all drawing characteristics. Evidence on material and manufacturing process, which is also part of the EMPB, is provided by the part manufacturer. We can additionally examine internal defects such as pores or voids as well as wall thicknesses using computed tomography.

What your inspection report contains

Marked drawing
All characteristics numbered consecutively – so every measurement result can be clearly assigned.

Results per characteristic
Nominal dimension, tolerance, measuring instrument used, actual value and evaluation OK/NOK – deviations are highlighted in color.

The release decision is yours
We measure every characteristic and evaluate it against the drawing tolerance. Whether the initial sample is released is decided by you or your customer – the decision field in the report is left blank for this purpose.

Measuring conditions and measurement uncertainty
The report documents workpiece temperature, humidity, the measuring instruments used and their measurement uncertainty. Thanks to automatic temperature compensation, our coordinate measuring machines convert the measured values to the reference temperature of 20 °C.

Nominal/actual comparison with your CAD data
If your part is captured by computed tomography or 3D digitization, you can additionally receive a color-coded nominal/actual comparison of the entire part on request.

Clearly documented
Bilingual German/English, as a PDF and released by the responsible metrology technician. Characteristics that cannot be measured reliably are openly identified as such.

How an initial sample inspection works

1. Send documents: drawing (PDF), CAD data (STEP) if available and the number of parts – directly via our contact form.
2. Quote and date: we check the scope and give you the price and delivery date.
3. Marking and measuring: we number all characteristics and measure them – tactile, optical or by CT, depending on the characteristic.
4. Inspection report: you receive the EMPB as a PDF – typically within 3–4 working days, depending on the scope of the order.

The right measuring method for every characteristic

We measure tight tolerances as well as form and position tolerances tactilely on coordinate measuring machines, small and delicate parts optically, and internal or hard-to-reach features by computed tomography. We often combine several methods in one report.

Tactile coordinate measurement is accredited according to ISO/IEC 17025. For every characteristic, the report shows which measuring instrument was used and whether it falls within the scope of accreditation.

What we offer you: