PowerINSPECT is Delcam’s software for the inspection of prototypes, tooling and production samples against CAD data. It works with a wide range of inspection devices, including static coordinate measuring machines (CMMs), and optical and laser-based systems, but is best known as the preferred software for portable inspection arms, such as those produced by CimCore, FARO and Romer. The combination of the portability of the inspection arms and the easy-to-use software makes it practical to make many more inspections than is possible with a dedicated CMM that might be located at a considerable distance from the point of manufacture. By allowing more inspections and by giving real time results in an easy-to-understand format, PowerINSPECT allows problems to be identified earlier and corrected at lower cost.

Traditionally, inspection was based on comparison of samples against drawings. More recently, the three-dimensional CAD model has replaced the drawing as the main reference for manufacturing data. Most design data is now issued to sub-contractors as CAD models rather than as drawings. It is more efficient and reliable to allow inspection directly against the CAD model than against drawings generated from that model.