Major zero-finding Nadcap accreditation achievement for UK metrology specialist

In a significant milestone for UK-based metrology specialist AddQual, the Derby-based firm has successfully completed its most recent Nadcap audit for 3D Structured Light (3DSL) measurement with zero major and zero minor findings. This rare accomplishment positions AddQual among an elite group of organisations globally that operate at the highest levels of compliance, precision and technical control in the field of advanced metrology.

The Nadcap (National Aerospace and Defence Contractors Accreditation Program) audit, administered by the Performance Review Institute (PRI), is considered the gold standard for process control and quality assurance across aerospace, defence and high-specification engineering. It is designed to evaluate whether technical processes – such as AddQual’s 3DSL inspection capabilities -meet the highest levels of repeatability, traceability and measurement integrity.

“Achieving a zero-finding audit in such a specialist area is rare,” says Managing Director Ben Anderson. “ We know we’re one of  two UK NADCAP 3DSL-accredited businesses. We also know there are 17 worldwide in total. Passing with no findings is a strong endorsement, not only of our internal systems, but also of the trust we offer our customers in highly demanding industries.”

For AddQual, the achievement is more than a quality badge – it underpins the company’s mission to redefine how manufacturers approach inspection, qualification and problem-solving in high-precision environments. The firm has become known for helping customers make fast, confident decisions under pressure, whether it’s qualifying a flight-critical aerospace part, diagnosing a production issue or tracing a dimensional fault to its root cause.

Traditional aerospace inspection workflows can take days or even weeks, especially when stringent documentation and compliance standards are involved. AddQual’s approach streamlines this process. By combining 3D structured light scanning technology with automated, accredited digital workflows, the company routinely delivers results in hours rather than days. In some cases, it has turned around complete qualification reports in under 24 hours.

“Our workflows are built around both speed and accuracy, so our customers can act decisively without compromising traceability or compliance,” adds Ben.

This combination of speed, accuracy and clarity is what differentiates AddQual. Unlike traditional manual inspections, which can be subjective and difficult to trace, AddQual’s digital-first model creates a comprehensive, auditable record that simplifies decision-making and reduces ambiguity across engineering, quality and production teams.

The Nadcap result also validates the company’s broader value proposition: helping manufacturers transition from reactive quality control to proactive problem-solving. AddQual’s services are increasingly in demand for root-cause investigations where internal checks have failed to uncover the issue. Whether it’s tooling wear, machine drift or CAD inconsistencies, AddQual provides forensic-level insight that supports continuous improvement and production resilience.

In today’s fast-paced manufacturing landscape, where downtime and quality issues translate directly to lost revenue, AddQual is proving that precision and agility can go hand in hand. As companies seek to outsource specialist tasks like metrology to expert providers, AddQual is emerging as a trusted partner capable of delivering high-impact results quickly, accurately and consistently.

“We give manufacturers the data and insight they need – when they need it – so they can keep building, improving and delivering with confidence,” concludes Ben.