Quality Inspector tools provide a structured, auditable method for defining which measurement devices are used, enforcing identification requirements, and recording tool usage directly within inspection tests. This improves compliance, consistency, and data quality across inspection processes.

The following article shows you how to configure tools, use them on templates, and record the tool usage on Quality Inspection Tests. The first step is to configure the available tools that you have inside of your system.

Using tools in Quality Inspector enables:

• Measurement traceability
• Calibration accountability
• Audit-friendly inspection records
• Enforcement of correct tool usage per specification
• Optional linkage to inventory or asset management

Using Tools in Quality Inspector

Quality Inspector provides the ability to configure and track measurement tools that are used when recording inspection tests. This ensures measurement traceability, supports calibration compliance, and improves audit readiness.

Typical tools include:

• Calipers
• Micrometers
• Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM)
• Height Gauges
• Gauge Blocks / Go-No-Go Gauges
• Thread Gauges
• And other measurement devices

The Quality Inspector Tools page defines all tools that can be used in inspections. Tools may be defined as:

• Generic tools (e.g., “Caliper”)
• Specific tools (e.g., “Mitutoyo Digital Caliper SN-48321”)

You may also link tools to existing Business Central records:

Tool Type usage guidelines

• Generic
  Use when the tool is not tracked anywhere else in Business Central.
• Item
  Use when the tool is stocked or inventory-tracked in Business Central.
• Fixed Asset
  Use when the tool is capitalized equipment managed as a fixed asset.
• Resource
  Use when the tool represents a labor role or service-based resource.

Configure your available tools

1. Navigate to the Quality Inspector Template in Business Central.
2. Select the required line in the Lines section and select Tools.
3. Add or remove a tool in the Add From Existing Tools section:
   • Select a tool to add it to the Quality Inspection Test as needed.
   • Deselect a tool to remove it from the Quality Inspection Test as needed.

4. Add a new tool as needed:
   1. Select a tool type from the Tool Type field.
   2. Select the field and select the required tool.
5. Navigate back to the Quality Inspection Template page.
6. Repeats steps 2 through 5 until you have all of the required tools for each line as needed.
7. View your tools:
   1. Select Existing Tests and open the required test.
   2. Select the line and view the Tools panel on the righthand side.

Tool fields

When configuring a tool:

• Tool Type: Defines the source record type.

• No.: Short tool code or identifier.

• Description: Full tool description.

  • Optional

  • Required

• Identification No. Requirement: Controls whether a serial / ID number is required when recording usage; When set to Required, the tool appears in red in inspection tests until properly recorded.

• • Calibration Date

  • Calibration Interval

  • Next Calibration Date

  • Block if Calibration Expired

  • Calibration Certificate No.

  • Calibration Details

  • Calibration Fields: These fields are informational and optional and may be left blank if calibration is tracked externally.

• Where-Used Templates: Displays which inspection templates reference the tool.

• Where-Used Tests: Displays which inspection tests have recorded usage of the tool.

Calibration expiry and blocking

A tool is treated as expired when Next Calibration Date is before the current work date.

Options for blocking expired tools

• Do Not Block (default): Calibration dates are tracked for reference only. Usage and recording measurements are not blocked based on calibration.
• Block Tool Usage: If calibration is expired, users cannot record or toggle tool usage for this tool on a test line until calibration is updated.
• Block Tool Usage and Recording Test Value: Same as Block Tool Usage, and if the tool is already recorded as used on the line, users cannot enter or change the test value until calibration is updated.

Record tool usage

1. Navigate to Quality Inspection Tests in Business Central.
2. Select the required test.
3. Select the step (line) and select Record Tool Usage.
4. Check the box(es) as you use the tool(s).

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