Actco Metrology - Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What types of statistics does Actco offer?
Answer: Actco does "all" types of statistics. We can perform Capability studies, Box & Whisker plots or any other type of output. R&R studies are performed regularly but we do need to know if this is a requirement up front so that we can quote it for you.

Question: If you are performing a Capability Study, what level of Cpk do you require?
Answer: The required Cpk or Ppk on a given dimension is up to you, the customer, to provide to Actco.The thing about a Cpk or Ppk is that we cannot guarantee your parts will meet any certain level. We can only assure you that it is not our measurement methodology that is causing your Cpk to be less than the value you require.

Question: What R&R percentage to you consider acceptable?
Answer: You have to tell Actco what R&R percentage "you" require and we then need to come up with the necessary methodology.

Question: Do you perform GD&T
Answer: Yes, Actco performs all of the GD&T applications. What we find, however, is that 95% of our customers have "not" learned the actual usage of this requirement. The basic "S.A.M." principle always applies to positioning call outs. That stands for Sit on, Align to and Measure to. Most customer just put A-B-C and let it go and we then need to try and determine just what the customer really is looking for. You cannot measure to a "PLANE" but you need a "FEATURE" instead.

Question: How do you report GD&T
Answer: While a single number is what GD&T is asking for, we always report the "BASICS" as well so you know how to adjust the steel if necessary.

Question: How about PROFILES?
Answer: The word Profile covers a lot of sins The way Actco checks Surface profiles is by checking all of the basics called out on that surface. The "RANGE" of those basics from nominal constitutes the profile. For the profile of a LINE we place points at each end of the specified "LINE" and create the line. We then place points along the surface between the original two points and get the distances these fall from the created line. It's the "worse" point from that line that constitutes the profile reported.

Question: What type of report can we expect to receive?
Answer: Actco prefers to report all data back to you in "YOUR" format. You provide us with a copy of your current report format and we will duplicate it. When we inspect your work on "any" of our machines we then wirelessly download that data to your format. Since we are A2LA (ISO/IEC 17025-2005) accredited we always provide a "COVER SHEET" with each report. On that cover sheet is a thumb nailed copy of your print that is ballooned to match the report. This does two things for you: 1 - it assures you we used the correct print Revision and 2 - you can easily follow your report and understand what data goes with what dimension.

Question: How about Capabilities and other statistics?
Answer: As stated above, output is output to us. We will provide you with whatever type of output you require.

Question: How long do you retain our data?
Answer: As long as you tell us to. If you do not specify we only retain it for 3 years. While on this subject,Actco does not just retain numbers.When a job is archived we retain the report, print(s), pictures of the set-up and set up instructions as well as the program used to inspect your part if one was required.

Question: How much capacity does Actco have for our work?
Answer: While we know that there must be somebody out there who could overwhelm us with work, we have yet to discover that customer. We have had several who said that they were going to but as always, we can inspect work faster than it can be made. Our policy is and always has been to do what it takes to get the job done correctly and on time. If we cannot, we will tell you ahead of time. We would rather not have your work than to not be able to deliver or give you correct data.

Question: How does Actco price its work?
Answer: In quoting, we always quote a "NOT TO EXCEED" price. In many cases, quoting from a print only, you cannot get the real feel for certain dimensions. Because of this quotes can sometimes be "safe". If we find we have completed a job for less money than quoted we will let you know and not take the extra money. Many of Actco's largest customers work off of a "BLANKET ORDER" where there's a PO# for us to bill against and we charge what we have in the job. This saves time for both us and the customer since our policy is "NOT" to release any product until we receive a PO number to bill against.

Site revised Feb 2012 by Sean Rearick.