20 QUESTIONS
FOR COMPARING TOOL INSPECTION SYSTEMS
[PDF Version]

1. Does the inspection system attempt to measure Tip Diameter? If so, is the system capable of measuring this dimension accurately and consistently?

2. When measuring to the bottom of the cup for the purpose of determining Working Length (the most critical dimension), how does the inspection system allow you to avoid a bisect should one exist?

3. When avoiding the bisect, how does the system account for the fact that the deepest point may be on one side of the bisect for one punch and on the other side of the bisect for another punch? (This may be caused by the allowable tolerance in Tip Concentricity.)

4. When measuring to the bottom of the cup for the purpose of determining Working Length how does the system avoid embossing?

5. Is the accuracy of the system affected by vibrations, movement or punch rotation?

6. Does the system attempt to adopt a "cookie cutter" approach to measuring the deepest point of punch tip cups, even though there may be variations due to allowable tolerances in manufacturing?

7. Does the system measure Barrel Diameters? If so, why do so when this dimension almost never changes?

8. Does the system measure Tip Concentricity? If so, why do so when this dimension almost never changes?

9. Does the system measure Head Thickness? If so, why? In other words, what are the critical dimensions?

10. What is the real purpose of performing punch inspections? Is it to satisfy a policy requirement or is it to obtain an accurate measurement that can be used when troubleshooting tablet quality issues?

11. Can the system been validated?

12. Can the system achieve 21 CFR Part 11 compliance?

13. Is the database secure from both inside and outside the system.

14. What tooling data other than inspection results are you interested in tracking?

15. What kind of data entry requirements will there be?

16. Is the system easy to use?

17. Is the system efficient?

18. Do your inspections also require a camera with vision magnification capability?

19. What benefits do you expect to gain from the system?

20. What is the budget for a system?