Inspect 2019 - Gom

GOM Inspect 2019 remains a cornerstone in the world of industrial metrology, widely used for analyzing 3D measuring data from fringe projection, laser scanners, and coordinate measuring machines. Whether you are in automotive engineering, aerospace, or medical device manufacturing, this software provides the tools necessary to validate part accuracy against CAD designs.

Here is a comprehensive look at the capabilities and practical applications of GOM Inspect 2019. Core Functionalities of GOM Inspect 2019

The 2019 version of the software introduced several refinements that streamlined the workflow from data acquisition to reporting.

3D Inspection and Surface Analysis: The software allows for a direct Surface Comparison between actual 3D meshes (STL files) and nominal CAD data. Users can visualize deviations across the entire part surface using color maps to identify warping or manufacturing errors.

Comprehensive Alignment Tools: Achieving accurate results starts with proper alignment. GOM Inspect 2019 supports various methods, including the Best-Fit method, RPS (Reference Point System) alignment, and 3-2-1 alignment. These tools ensure that the digital "actual" data is perfectly oriented to the "nominal" design for precise measurement.

GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing): The software provides a robust framework for GD&T analysis, including form, orientation, and position deviations. This is critical for ensuring that manufactured parts meet strict international standards for fit and function.

2D Sectioning: Beyond 3D surface maps, users can create inspection sections to analyze 2D profiles. This is particularly useful for checking internal geometries or specific cross-sections of a part. Real-World Applications

Research and industrial case studies highlight how GOM Inspect 2019 is utilized across specialized fields: Application Case Study Additive Manufacturing

Evaluating the technical accuracy of 3D-printed stereotactic frames for medical use. Dental Research

Assessing the accuracy of digital impressions and the effect of scan body height on dental models. Industrial Engineering

Measuring the dimensional accuracy of components produced via laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). Surface Topography Gom Inspect 2019

Determining surface roughness parameters like Ra, Rq, and Rz through 2D surface profile extraction. Why Use GOM Inspect 2019 Today?

Even as newer versions like ZEISS Inspect have emerged, GOM Inspect 2019 remains popular due to its stability and its availability as a free basic version. The free version offers a powerful entry point for engineers who need to perform basic mesh processing and simple CAD comparisons without a full professional license.

For those moving toward more complex tasks—such as trend analysis or automated inspection—the GOM Professional upgrade or the newer ZEISS platforms offer advanced scripting and parametric inspection capabilities. Getting Started

If you are looking to implement GOM Inspect 2019 into your workflow:

Import your data: Load your mesh data (typically STL or PLY) and your CAD file (STEP, IGES).

Align the models: Use the Prealignment tool to get the parts close, then follow up with a Best-Fit for precision.

Analyze deviations: Use the Surface Comparison tool to create a visual heatmap of errors.

Export reports: Generate PDF or CSV reports to share findings with quality control teams.

A professional metrology report generated with GOM Inspect generally includes the following sections:

Project Overview: Title, part name, operator name, and date. GOM Inspect 2019 remains a cornerstone in the

3D Surface Comparison: A "heat map" showing deviations between the actual scan and the nominal CAD model.

Inspection Sections: 2D cross-sections of the part showing local deviations.

GD&T Analysis: Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing checks like cylindricity, circularity, or surface profile.

Measurement Tables: A detailed list showing Nominal, Actual, Tolerance, and Deviation values for every checked dimension.

Conclusion/Summary: A pass/fail summary based on defined tolerances. How to Generate the Report

Select Measurements: In the Explorer (left-hand sidebar), select the elements or measurements you want to include in the report. Create Report Page:

Right-click the selected elements and choose Create Report Page. Alternatively, go to the Report menu in the main toolbar.

Choose a Template: Select from standard landscape or portrait templates. You can also customize headers with your company logo.

Arrange Snapshots: Use the 3D View to capture specific angles. Each "Snapshot" you take can be added as a separate page or image in the report.

Export to PDF: Click the Export as PDF button in the report editor. You can define the file name and save location here. Key Features for Quality Reporting GOM Inspect 2019 vs

Best-Fit Alignment: Ensure your data is aligned using the "Best-Fit" method (typical error ~0.05 mm) to get accurate deviation maps.

Color Scales: Customize the color bar in your surface comparison to highlight critical out-of-tolerance areas.

Automatic Updates: If you replace the mesh data with a new scan, the report pages will automatically update with the new measurements. Cylindricity

GOM Inspect is a professional software used for 3D coordinate measuring, dimensional analysis, and quality control. It is widely used to compare physical 3D scans (point clouds) against CAD models (Nominal data).

GOM Inspect 2019 vs. Modern Alternatives (2025)

How does a 6-year-old software hold up against current tools like PolyWorks, Verisurf, or CloudCompare?

The Verdict: For pure inspection (colormap + GD&T), GOM Inspect 2019 beats free alternatives like CloudCompare hands-down. It loses only to modern paid software regarding automation and big data handling (500+ million triangles).

Deployment and best practices

Hardware sizing: Use workstations with multi-core CPUs, 32+ GB RAM (larger for very dense scans), and a modern GPU for best responsiveness.
Training: Provide metrology training for users to understand alignment strategies, tolerance interpretation, and proper reporting to avoid misinterpretation.
Standardization: Create inspection templates and macros to ensure consistent measurements and comparable results across production batches.
Traceability: Document measurement chains, alignment strategies, and software versions to maintain traceability for audits and quality records.

5. Compatibility and Formats

GOM Inspect 2019 was a bridge between legacy hardware and modern ecosystems.

ATS (GOM’s native format): High compression for massive point clouds.
Open Formats: It handles STL, PLY, and OBJ easily, but its strength lies in importing native CAD formats (STEP, IGES, CATIA, SolidWorks, JT) without conversion. This maintains the integrity of the "Design Intent" (perfect geometry) against the "Actual Intent" (scanned data).

6. The "Free" Aspect (GOM Inspect Suite)

A major piece of "interesting content" regarding this software is the business model. GOM (now part of Zeiss) offers the GOM Inspect Suite (which replaced the old GOM Inspect) for free.

What you get for free: Mesh processing, alignment, basic inspection, and reporting.
What requires a license: Professional features like Airfoil inspection (specific to aerospace), Parametric modules, and specialized fitting algorithms. This makes the 2019 version an incredibly powerful tool for hobbyists, reverse engineers, and startups who cannot afford enterprise metrology suites.

Step 1: Importing Data

You begin by importing your CAD model (as a reference) and your 3D scan data (as an actual part). Gom Inspect 2019 supports file formats such as STL, PLY, OBJ, and native GOM ATOS data.