Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • Physical Digital first to gain Nadcap accreditation for 3DSL inspection

Aerospace

Physical Digital first to gain Nadcap accreditation for 3DSL inspection

UK company Physical Digital has become the first in the world to have been awarded a Nadcap accreditation for Measurement and Inspection using 3D Structured Light (3DSL).

Above: Physical Digital's ScanBox for automated 3D Scanning.
 
Nadcap has recognised Physical Digital for its commitment to continual improvement in aerospace quality.

Physical Digital have provided 3DSL measurement services to the aerospace industry for many years, completing repeatability studies, batch measurement, inspection and analysis on industrial components from single turbine blades to complete jet turbine engines and full aircraft.

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle

Physical Digital provides 3D Structured Light scanning services within the UK, improving its facilities and refining business processes to ensure it continues to deliver the highest level of accuracy and traceability. The company operates a state-of-the-art metrology facility optimised for 3DSL optical measurement with environmental monitoring and controls including precise temperature control, diffused airflow distribution, optimised lighting and humidity monitoring to ensure any effects are understood and mitigated.

Physical Digital’s Managing Director Tim Rapley commented: “Physical Digital is the first and only company in the world to achieve a Nadcap accreditation for Measurement and Inspection using 3D Structured Light. Using industry-leading GOM metrology systems, we specialise in capturing high-accuracy surface data for a wide variety of industrial sectors such as aerospace and power generation. All measurement data captured is completed under the rigorous constraints and stringent business processes, with all data traceable back to the international standard.

"This accreditation is the highest accolade that we could have hoped to achieve as a business and as Managing Director and company founder, it fills me with pride. It is also well-deserved recognition for the hard work and dedication of our highly-skilled and experienced team of Metrologist and Engineers. Achieving a Nadcap accreditation of our 3DSL services will provide our customers with the added assurance that Physical Digital deliver the highest quality data with unprecedented levels of traceability”.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle

Michael J. Hayward, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at the Performance Review Institute, said: “Nadcap accreditation is universally acknowledged as a significant undertaking. Validating compliance to industry standards, best practices and customer requirements, Nadcap has long been incorporated by the aerospace industry into their risk mitigation activity. Congratulations are therefore due to Physical Digital as their hard work has resulted in achieving Nadcap accreditation for Measurement and Inspection using 3D Structured Light and their supporting company Quality Management System.”

 

Advertisement
ECS leaderboard banner
Wales to be UK launchpad for advanced autonomous tech

Aerospace Defence Security

Wales to be UK launchpad for advanced autonomous tech

20 February 2026

Thousands of skilled workers in Wales will be involved in the design, testing and manufacture of advanced autonomous technologies and unmanned systems, as a landmark £50 million Defence Growth Deal positions the nation at the forefront of Britain’s defence future.

NPAS increases aircraft available for deployment

Aerospace Security

NPAS increases aircraft available for deployment

19 February 2026

In January this year, the National Police Air Service (NPAS) was able to increase the number of aircraft that were available for operational deployment.

Alloyed secures ATI Programme funding to develop ABD-1000AM

Aerospace

Alloyed secures ATI Programme funding to develop ABD-1000AM

19 February 2026

Developer and manufacturer of advanced metallic components, Alloyed Ltd, has secured funding from the ATI Programme for an ambitious £1 million project to accelerate the development of ABD-1000AM, a next-generation nickel-based superalloy designed for additive manufacturing.

Birmingham Airport publishes new sustainability strategy

Aerospace

Birmingham Airport publishes new sustainability strategy

19 February 2026

Birmingham Airport (BHX) has published its new sustainability strategy for 2026 to 2030, outlining the next strategic steps on its journey to becoming a more sustainable and socially responsible business.

Advertisement
ODU RT
UK hydrogen airport trial sets out roadmap for further studies

Aerospace

UK hydrogen airport trial sets out roadmap for further studies

18 February 2026

A new report into the UK’s first airside trial of multiple hydrogen-powered ground support equipment (GSE) has confirmed that hydrogen can be safely and effectively integrated into airport ground operations, whilst setting out a series of essential next steps needed to accelerate hydrogen adoption and decarbonisation across the aviation sector.

Kent collaborates on Pre-FEED study for Eq.flight SAF demo plant

Aerospace

Kent collaborates on Pre-FEED study for Eq.flight SAF demo plant

18 February 2026

Integrated energy services partner, Kent, has collaborated with Equilibrion during a successful bid for funding from the UK Department for Transport’s Advanced Fuels Fund (AFF) and with that funding for Equilibrion and its partners, Kent is delivering the Pre-Front-End Engineering Design (Pre-FEED) for Eq.flight, an advanced power-to-liquids ...

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
ECS leaderboard banner