FB2M Reduces Inspection Times from a Day to 30 Minutes with Visometry Twyn
FB2M, based in Sarralbe, France, is an established specialist in heavy steel fabrication and the manufacture of very large components and assemblies. Since 2025, the company has been using Visometry’s Twyn augmented reality (AR) solution for visual inspections and basic geometric checks, with impressive results. Inspection times have been reduced from almost a full working day to a maximum of 30 minutes, even in particularly complex cases. Twyn has also improved customer satisfaction at FB2M, with customer-reported non-conformities caused by missing components falling by 50%.
FB2M specialises in heavy steel fabrication, welded assemblies, machining and the processing of high-strength steels. Its capabilities cover the entire manufacturing process, including welding, machining, non-destructive testing, blasting and painting.
A particular area of expertise is the manufacture of very large components and assemblies. These are used worldwide in applications including cranes, earthmoving equipment and tunnel boring machines. Reliable quality inspection throughout the manufacturing process is therefore essential, and FB2M has turned to Twyn to support this requirement.
Replacing Manual Inspection with Efficient Tablet-Based AR Checks
Twyn has delivered significant benefits for FB2M. Before introducing the Visometry solution, visual inspections and basic geometric checks were carried out manually by an employee using customer-supplied 2D drawings and conventional measuring equipment, such as tape measures and callipers. Inspection reports also had to be checked off manually, line by line.
This process was time-consuming and laborious. Operator fatigue, the potential for human error and sometimes difficult-to-read documentation created additional challenges.
With Twyn, a tablet-based inspection software solution, these problems have largely been addressed. FB2M has been using the system since 2025, following a recommendation from one of its customers. The availability of fast, effective technical support was another factor in the decision.
Twyn Delivers Significant Time Savings and Added Value
Today, FB2M uses the Twyn AR tool at several stages of its manufacturing process, including the inspection and approval of subassemblies. At the end of assembly, Twyn is used to inspect and sign off complete components, such as crawler carriers for mobile cranes and rotating platforms for excavators. Employees also use the system to prepare the final inspection and acceptance reports.
According to FB2M, Twyn has reduced the time required for particularly complex inspections by up to 90%.
“Previously, particularly demanding inspections using 2D drawings could take almost an entire working day. With Twyn, we can now complete the same inspection in no more than 30 minutes. At the same time, the inspection process has become considerably more structured and straightforward, and the reliability of our inspections has improved,” says Christian Mallick, Technical and Quality Director at FB2M.
FB2M’s customers are also directly benefiting. Since Twyn was introduced, customer-reported non-conformities resulting from missing components have fallen by 50%. Internal non-conformities caused by assembly errors have also decreased.
“Twyn provides very effective support in helping us identify missing components more reliably and standardise our inspection procedures,” Mallick explains.
According to FB2M, four areas have particularly benefited:
- Greater care and consistency during inspections.
- Shorter inspection times.
- The introduction of additional in-process inspections.
- Standardised digital documentation.
The organisation of inspection activities has also changed. Previously, production personnel had to be brought in to assist with certain checks. Today, quality inspectors can carry out these inspections themselves.
AR Provides a Complementary Inspection Method
At FB2M, Twyn has become an effective addition to existing measurement and inspection methods rather than a replacement for them. The solution is used alongside established techniques, including non-destructive testing of welds.
Integration into daily operations was rapid. Once the capabilities of Twyn had been demonstrated, FB2M quickly incorporated the solution into its existing workflows. Three quality inspectors now use Twyn daily on tablets, while production managers also occasionally use the software on their iPhones.
“Twyn was adopted very quickly within our organisation. The solution is intuitive to use and provides our inspectors with a clear structure for their work. As a result, inspections can now be carried out more consistently and are easier to integrate into everyday operations,” says Christian Mallick. “Twyn is efficient, flexible in its application and has become indispensable to us.”
For more information: www.visometry.com
