Visual Surface Inspection Start with exterior visual check. Look for obvious surface defects including resin rich areas, dry fiber, micro‑cracks, bubble blisters, scratch marks and delamination signs. For high‑gloss finished prototypes, check consistent texture of 3K twill or plain weave without uneven coating. Matte surface parts should be free of smudges and residual release agent. Visual inspection is the first‑step screening to rule out cosmetic flaws.
Dimensional & Geometric Verification Prototype dimensional compliance is critical for subsequent assembly. Measure outer size, wall thickness, hole position and cavity dimension against your CAD drawings (DXF / STEP). Common measuring tools include calipers and coordinate measuring instruments. For CNC‑machined carbon‑fiber prototypes, check cutting edges, chamfers and slot dimensions. Our standard production tolerance is ±0.05 mm for most machined features.
Check for Internal Composite Integrity Surface looks good does not guarantee sound internal structure. The most frequent hidden problem is internal delamination between carbon‑fiber layers, which may not show up on outside. Simple tapping test can help find large‑scale separation; for higher‑level validation, ultrasonic testing is adopted to detect tiny internal voids. Voids and delamination will greatly reduce stiffness and impact performance of carbon fiber prototypes.
Material & Laminate Confirmation Verify fiber weave type and resin system according to your specification. Confirm whether it is thermoset epoxy prepreg or thermoplastic composite such as CF‑PEEK. Wrong ply orientation or incorrect resin matrix will change mechanical properties, even if the part looks exactly like your drawing.
Functional Fit‑up Test Carry out real assembly fit test. Put the prototype into your end‑use structure to check mating clearance. Some parts have correct standalone dimensions yet fail assembly due to minor warpage caused by curing process. Slight warp deformation should be controlled within acceptable range defined by project requirements.
First‑article Inspection Report A complete first‑article report records visual observations, dimension data, tolerance results and material information. As your carbon‑fiber manufacturer, we can deliver this document together with prototypes for your reference before bulk order.
Summary Quality verification for custom carbon‑fiber prototypes covers cosmetic inspection, dimension measurement, internal integrity check, material confirmation and practical assembly test. If any defect is identified at prototype stage, adjust the moulding, curing or CNC process prior to mass production. When submitting an inquiry, share your CAD files and your acceptance criteria, so our engineering team can understand your quality requirements clearly.
