Machine shops live and die by two things: making good parts and proving they’re good without slowing production down. Whether you’re running prototypes, first articles, in-process checks, or final inspection, the inspection workflow needs to be fast, repeatable, and easy to audit.
GroundControl is FAI and inspection software built for machining teams. It helps shops balloon drawings in seconds, capture GD&T correctly, auto-apply tolerances, and pull measurement results directly from your CMM—all while keeping everything in one centralized system you can export to customers anytime.
Machining inspection isn’t just “measure and record.” It’s a constant tradeoff between speed and certainty:
Most shops don’t struggle to measure parts—they struggle to connect the drawing → characteristics → tolerances → results → report without wasting hours.
That connection is exactly what GroundControl automates.
Upload a print and GroundControl automatically balloons it. No manual circling, no re-numbering, no fighting with CAD screenshots. You go from raw drawing to an inspection-ready characteristic list basically instantly.
GroundControl recognizes and structures the stuff that usually causes headaches:
So you’re not interpreting every control frame by hand or risking inconsistency between inspectors.
GroundControl automatically recognizes and applies tolerances—whether they’re:
This removes one of the biggest sources of “paper defects”: mis-entered tolerances or missing tolerances entirely.
If your CMM can export CSV/Excel, GroundControl can import it.
That includes platforms like:
Instead of copy/pasting values into a sheet, you drag-drop the file and auto-populate results in seconds. Measurement data stays tied to the right characteristic, with traceability intact.
GroundControl isn’t just for first articles. Shops use one system for:
That means you’re not rebuilding inspection plans from scratch every time a part comes back through the door.
When you’re done, export clean inspection packages to:
No last-minute formatting scramble. No re-typing characteristics into a portal.
If you’re evaluating inspection/FAI software for machining, the “best” tool is the one that reliably:
GroundControl checks these boxes without forcing you to change how you measure parts—just how you manage inspection.
Machine shops typically see value in three places:
GroundControl gives machining teams a single, reliable workflow to:
Auto-balloon → extract characteristics → apply tolerances → import results → export clean reports.
Whether you’re a high-mix prototype shop or a multi-cell production machine house, GroundControl helps you move faster without risking inspection quality or customer trust.
Learn more about GroundControl for machine shops and see how quickly you can generate your next inspection package.
What is first article inspection (FAI) in machining?
FAI in machining is a formal inspection of the first produced part to verify every drawing requirement is met before full production. The result is documented in a FAIR or customer-specific format.
Does GroundControl work for non-aerospace machining jobs?
Yes. GroundControl supports machining inspection for aerospace, defense, industrial, medical, and general precision manufacturing — any workflow that needs drawing-based characteristics tied to results.
Can GroundControl import results from my CMM software?
Yes. If your CMM can export CSV/Excel, GroundControl can import it. Common systems include Calypso, Verisurf, PC-DMIS, and many others.
How does GroundControl handle GD&T (ASME Y14.5)?
GroundControl automatically recognizes GD&T control frames, datums, and feature callouts from drawings, then applies the correct tolerance types to each characteristic.
What inspection types can I manage in GroundControl?
Machine shops use GroundControl for FAIs, in-process/WIP checks, final inspection, and repeat runs. The same characteristic set stays linked to results and revisions.
What formats can I export to for customers?
You can export to Excel, Net-Inspect, and other customer-required inspection templates, producing a clean submission without re-typing.
How long does it take to set up a new part inspection?
Most teams go from drawing upload to a populated characteristic list in minutes using auto-ballooning and automatic tolerance recognition.
Will GroundControl reduce paper defects and rework?
Yes. By auto-capturing characteristics and tolerances and tying results directly to them, GroundControl reduces missed characteristics and manual entry errors that cause paperwork rejects.
