Established in 1995, Quality Manufacturing Corporation is a fabricator that offers services from prototype conception to large-scale OEM production. The company has earned a solid reputation for producing high-quality components at competitive price points while maintaining a customer-focused approach rooted in its small-business origins.

Headquartered in Urbandale, Iowa, the company employs around 500 people. It mainly serves the agriculture and construction sectors, and is actively increasing its presence in the industrial market. Operations run 24/7, with a consistent emphasis on product quality.

Quality and inspection specialists on the production floor apply advanced product quality planning (APQP) for new parts, which includes evaluating manufacturing capabilities, identifying and managing potential risks, and ensuring control over critical product features.

The operational challenges driving performance improvements

Inspection efficiency plays a central role in the company’s metrology process. With a steady stream of new projects, along with first-article, in-process, and audit inspections, the quality team operates in a high-demand environment. Improving how inspection results are communicated to shop floor operators, team leads, and customers became a key priority.

“Simply presenting raw numbers was no longer sufficient,” says Zach Kapfer, quality engineering manager. “We recognized the need to deliver more meaningful, visual reporting that incorporated images, trend analysis, and deeper data insights. This approach allows us to better identify root causes and address issues proactively before they escalate into larger, more costly problems.” 

A customized report created by Quality Manufacturing Corporation and displayed directly in PolyWorks|DataLoop, providing clear, color-coded insight. Image courtesy of Quality Manufacturing Corporation.

Kapfer has been with the organization for 13 years and leads a team of 20 quality engineers and inspectors. “My role covers a wide range of products and keeps me actively involved across all areas of the floor; solving problems as they arise, putting preventive measures in place, and working with teams to complete corrective actions,” he says.

The company has relied on PolyWorks|Inspector for dimensional analysis since 2013, using FARO Quantum Max and Hexagon ROMER portable arms. With operations distributed in several buildings, maintaining consistent measurement practices between production areas became increasingly important. To further streamline operations and standardize processes, the organization chose PolyWorks|DataLoop as its 3D data management solution in 2023.

“InnovMetric demonstrated a shared commitment to enhanced reporting through PolyWorks while also providing easier, more efficient access to critical data via PolyWorks|DataLoop,” says Kapfer.

Driving value by implementing a 3D data management system

1. More efficient inspection workflow

“One of the most significant benefits has been a measurable reduction in turnaround time,” Kapfer says. “By leveraging PolyWorks|DataLoop, we have been able to streamline our inspection workflows. The results are greater consistency among all our quality engineers and a notable decrease in overall inspection time. Standardizing our processes not only improves throughput but also ensures our inspection results are reliable and repeatable, regardless of who performs the work. With tight schedules and high expectations, consistency is key.”

Adopting a 3D data management solution has enabled the organization to harmonize inspection practices among teams. By standardizing methods and improving workflow efficiency, the company has reduced result variability while accelerating inspection cycles. This is especially valuable in high-demand environments where maintaining both speed and accuracy is critical.

Quality Manufacturing has been using PolyWorks|Inspector for dimensional inspection since 2013. It adopted PolyWorks|DataLoop in 2023 to simplify 3D data sharing enterprisewide and noticed significant gains in productivity. Image courtesy of Quality Manufacturing Corporation.

2. Clearer communication that carries more impact

The ability to create dashboards has significantly improved how information is shared and interpreted across the organization. “We have developed customized, preset dashboards for each of our production areas, providing a clear and immediate visual representation of our targets and performance metrics,” says Kapfer.

Visual simplicity has been particularly beneficial on the shop floor. “Being able to have this very simple red-green visual cue has been huge!” Kapfer says. “You don’t really need to know anything about the software to understand that green is good and red is bad. It just helps bridge the communication between everybody.”

Quality Manufacturing operators can quickly monitor inspection results through SPC charts displayed in PolyWorks|DataLoop. Image courtesy of Quality Manufacturing Corporation.

This enhanced visibility enables teams to track quality performance in real time and quickly align on priorities. Reports are easily accessible to authorized users, improving responsiveness and collaboration. “The ability to quickly search for and load programs has been a notable efficiency gain in our day-to-day activities,” Kapfer says.

The user-friendly design of PolyWorks|DataLoop Web Interface has also facilitated rapid adoption across teams. “It is highly intuitive and easy to navigate, requiring minimal onboarding time for our team,” Kapfer says.

3. Strong and responsive technical support from InnovMetric

Reliable technical support has further strengthened the value of the solution. Kapfer emphasizes the importance of working with a knowledgeable and responsive partner. “The team there has been incredibly helpful,” he says. “They have been extremely responsive and beneficial, not only in addressing my own inquiries but in supporting other team members as well. Their ability to quickly resolve questions and provide clear guidance has been invaluable. We see them as a great partner.”

This level of support has empowered the team to fully utilize the system’s capabilities, resolve challenges efficiently, and maintain a high level of productivity.

Turning 3D measurement data into a lasting competitive advantage

By adopting PolyWorks|DataLoop and integrating it within its quality metrology process, Quality Manufacturing Corporation has strengthened its competitive position.

“Our customers have come to trust and rely on the accuracy of our measurement data, knowing that we are committed to delivering the most precise and reliable information available,” says Kapfer. “This level of confidence in our capabilities strengthens existing customer relationships and provides a solid foundation for long-term partnerships. Additionally, our technology investments have proven to be valuable assets in the onboarding of new customers.”

The ability to demonstrate expertise early in engagements has also become a differentiator. “Being able to showcase our capabilities early in customer relationships sets a strong precedent for the quality and transparency they can expect from us,” says Kapfer. “As we look to the future, we believe these investments will continue to differentiate Quality Manufacturing Corporation in the industry and support our ongoing growth.”