Frequently Asked Questions

Augmented reality inspection is a quality control method that overlays 3D CAD models onto physical parts in real-time using a tablet or head-mounted display. Instead of comparing a physical part to a 2D drawing, the inspector sees the design intent directly on the actual object — making deviations immediately visible. SuPAR by CDMVision uses iPad-based AR to enable 75% faster inspection than traditional 2D drawing comparison methods.

SuPAR Composer supports all major 3D CAD formats including CATIA, JT, CGR, and OBJ. You can import native files directly — no manual conversion or format translation required. This means your engineering team can use their existing CAD data without additional preprocessing steps.

SuPAR is built for manufacturing quality control across automotive, aerospace, defense, and heavy industry. Any production environment where physical parts need to be validated against CAD specifications can benefit from AR-guided visual inspection — from incoming goods inspection to final assembly verification.

Absolutely. We offer personalized demos tailored to your specific use case and industry. Our team can walk you through the full workflow — from CAD import in SuPAR Composer to live AR inspection on the iPad. Use our Request Demo form or email info@cdmvision.com to schedule a session.

Yes. SuPAR uses a combination of LiDAR depth sensing and visual feature detection that works reliably on most manufacturing surfaces, including dark, matte, and semi-reflective materials. Highly specular or mirror-finish surfaces may require reference markers for initial alignment, but the system handles the vast majority of real-world production parts without any additional aids.

Most inspectors are productive within a single training session. The iPad app guides users step-by-step through each checkpoint, so no CAD expertise is required on the shop floor. Quality engineers who prepare inspections in SuPAR Composer typically need about half a day of onboarding to become fully proficient.

Yes, SuPAR Composer supports both single parts and multi-part assemblies. You can import complex assemblies and select individual components or sub-assemblies for inspection. This is especially useful for verifying assembly fitment, bracket positions, and interface dimensions between mating parts.

Yes. SuPAR inspection results can be exported in standard formats (PDF, XLSX) for integration with your existing Quality Management System or ERP. The SuPAR Web Viewer also provides a browser-based interface for reviewing and archiving results, making it easy to connect into established quality workflows and audit trails.

SuPAR requires iPad models equipped with LiDAR sensors for precise spatial mapping and AR overlay accuracy. This includes iPad Pro (2020 and later) and iPad Air with M-series chips. The LiDAR sensor enables the AR engine to accurately measure depth and align the 3D CAD model with the physical part in real-time. Standard iPads without LiDAR are not supported for inspection use.

SuPAR Composer is the desktop application where quality engineers prepare inspection projects. You import CAD models, define checkpoints and tolerance criteria on the 3D geometry, and publish the finished project to the iPad app. Composer supports drag-and-drop import of CATIA, JT, CGR, and OBJ files.

SuPAR handles parts ranging from small components (a few centimeters) to large assemblies (several meters). The iPad LiDAR sensor has an effective range of about 5 meters, so even large automotive body panels, aerospace structures, and heavy-industry assemblies can be inspected. For very large parts, inspectors simply walk around the component, and SuPAR maintains registration throughout.

Security is a priority. All data transmission between the iPad, Composer, and Web Viewer uses encrypted connections. CAD models and inspection data are stored securely, and access is controlled through user authentication. CDMVision hosts its infrastructure in German data centers, complying with EU data protection regulations including GDPR.

SuPAR complements rather than replaces CMM equipment. While CMMs provide precise dimensional measurements, SuPAR excels at rapid visual inspection — verifying the presence, orientation, and correct placement of features, connectors, labels, and sub-assemblies. Many customers use SuPAR for initial visual screening and reserve CMM for critical dimensional verification.

SuPAR runs on standard iPad Pro devices with LiDAR sensors. No specialized hardware, external trackers, or head-mounted displays are required. Your inspectors use the same iPads they may already have, making deployment fast and cost-effective across your production floor.

A typical inspection can be prepared in minutes using SuPAR Composer. Import your CAD model, define checkpoints on the 3D geometry, and publish to the iPad app. Once set up, inspectors on the shop floor can begin AR-guided inspection immediately — no training in CAD software required.

SuPAR enables 75% faster inspection compared to traditional 2D drawing-based methods. Instead of manually cross-referencing paper drawings with physical parts, inspectors see the CAD model overlaid directly onto the real component in augmented reality. This eliminates interpretation errors, reduces inspection time, and provides digital traceability for every checkpoint.

SuPAR achieves sub-millimeter alignment accuracy by combining iPad LiDAR depth sensing with intelligent surface-matching algorithms. The system continuously refines the overlay as the inspector moves around the part, ensuring the CAD model stays precisely registered to the physical component throughout the inspection.

No. Once an inspection project is synced to the iPad, SuPAR works entirely offline. The AR overlay, checkpoint evaluation, and result capture all happen locally on the device. An internet connection is only needed to download inspection projects and upload completed reports to the SuPAR Web Viewer.

SuPAR is offered as a subscription license with flexible tiers based on the number of concurrent devices and users. Enterprise agreements with volume pricing and dedicated support are available for larger deployments. Contact our sales team for a tailored quote that fits your organization’s needs.

SuPAR Composer handles CAD files ranging from small individual parts to large assemblies with hundreds of components. The practical file size limit depends on the complexity of the 3D geometry rather than raw file size. Most production CAD files — including full vehicle body-in-white models and large fabrication assemblies — import without issues. For exceptionally large models, SuPAR supports selective component loading to optimize performance on iPad.

Yes. In SuPAR Composer, quality engineers define numbered inspection checkpoints on the 3D model. During inspection on iPad, these checkpoints guide the inspector through each verification step in sequence. Each checkpoint can include tolerance information, reference images, and text instructions — ensuring consistent, repeatable inspections regardless of operator experience level.

SuPAR generates detailed inspection reports in PDF and XLSX formats, complete with checkpoint results, annotated images, and pass/fail status. Reports can also be viewed interactively in the SuPAR Web Viewer with 3D visualization, allowing stakeholders to review results from any browser without installing additional software.

The SuPAR Web Viewer is a browser-based platform for reviewing and archiving inspection results. Quality managers, auditors, and remote stakeholders can view checkpoint results, annotated images, and 3D visualizations without installing any software. It serves as your central hub for inspection history and compliance documentation.

Yes. Multiple inspectors can work simultaneously on different iPads, each running their own inspection projects independently. Inspection projects are synced through SuPAR’s cloud infrastructure, so quality engineers can publish updated projects and all devices receive the latest version automatically.

SuPAR supports a wide range of visual inspection tasks: incoming goods inspection, in-process quality checks, final assembly verification, first article inspection (FAI), and supplier audits. Any scenario where a physical part needs to be compared against its CAD specification is a fit for SuPAR’s AR-guided workflow.

CDMVision is headquartered in Fellbach, Germany — near Stuttgart, in the heart of Europe’s automotive manufacturing region. Our engineering team works closely with quality departments across the DACH region and international customers in automotive, aerospace, and defense sectors.