Dimensional quality control method for cast parts

A method for inspecting and ascertaining the quality of a cast workpiece for the dimensional quality control is used for cast workpieces in which both the rough, as cast workpiece, as well as the finished cast workpiece are initially described in a computer file of a computer aided drafting (CAD)system. The method includes the steps of positioning and spatially locating the workpiece on a support surface; providing a computer having a CAD file of both the as cast workpiece and the finished workpiece; selecting a zone of the workpiece to be inspected; conducting a shape analysis of the workpiece in the selected zone using a three dimensional measuring device operatively associated with the computer so as to transmit three dimensional measurement data to the computer; storing the measurement data relating to the selected inspection zone; comparing the measurement data with corresponding data in the CAD file for the workpiece; repeating the aforementioned steps until the entire workpiece has been inspected; and accepting or rejecting the workpiece based on the comparison of the measured data with the data in the CAD file. Additionally, the step of comparing the measurement data with the CAD file data may involve the steps of carrying out a first comparison between the measured data points and the CAD file for the rough, as cast workpiece and, if the result of this first comparison is outside of the predetermined tolerances, carrying out a second comparison between the measurement data and the CAD file data for the completed, finished workpiece.