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Based in the Vendée region of France, SVC-ODS has fifty years' experience and is now one of France's leading manufacturers of boilermaking and mechanized welding parts.
The company comprises two entities: SVC (Société Vendéenne de Chaudronnerie), which specializes in metal forming, assembly, welding, and painting, and ODS (Ouest Découpe Soudure), which focuses on laser, plasma, as well as oxy-fuel cutting. Together, they operate two production sites of more than 11,000 m² and employ nearly 100 employees. SVC-ODS caters to the needs of manufacturers of agricultural, handling, and special machinery as well as the railway, environmental, and construction sectors.
With a track record of processing over 6000 tons of steel per year, SVC-ODS's main goal is clear: to continually optimize its technical capabilities to produce complex and/or large-scale parts, to meet rigorous client demands. "Our commitment is rooted in innovation and accuracy, whether we're working with small assemblies or large-scale structures," explained Marc Viennesse, QSE Manager at SVC-ODS.
A member of the SVC-ODS team uses the HandyPROBE to take 3D measurements of a welded frame. First-generation 3D measurement technologies limit the potential of SVC-ODS’s quality control
With customers' quality assurance needs growing and the evolving complexity of assemblies, SVC-ODS’s quality control team reached the limits of the first-generation 3D measurement technologies that had been used for over a decade. The limited reach of the previously used equipment made inspecting large assemblies more complicated, resulting in additional handling and greater uncertainty in the results obtained.
Inspection processes were time-consuming and involved awkward postures, particularly for larger parts where the equipment had to be repositioned multiple times, increasing the risk of errors, with a potential impact on product conformity and manufacturing processes.
"The inability to ensure the desired dimensional control for certain products was becoming a major pain point. We needed to act quickly to maintain operational oversight of our control processes," Marc said.
Creaform’s C-Track dual camera sensor tracks the position and orientation of objects in real time. It perfectly complements the dynamic measurement capabilities of the HandyPROBE. The HandyPROBE becomes a key investment
After careful consideration and having witnessed it in action at several clients’ facilities, the SVC-ODS team chose Creaform’s HandyPROBE portable coordinate measuring machine (PCMM) because of its flexibility, accuracy, and user-friendly interface, which aligned perfectly with SVC-ODS's inspection priorities and overall business strategy. “The purchase of the HandyPROBE was part of a broader action plan to modernize our quality control services,” Marc detailed. “We immediately saw how adaptable it was for small and large volumes without lost accuracy. We appreciated its ergonomics as well as how seamless it was going to be to integrate the HandyPROBE into our production processes. HandyPROBE could also be integrated with PolyWorks software. It was definitely an investment worth making.”
"Thanks to the e-learning modules provided by Creaform and the on-site training given during the integration of the MMTP, we were able to get to grips with the new system in just a few months. The reactivity of the technical support team is also a real plus, ensuring continuity in the handling of the equipment as it is used in different configurations,” explains Marc.
SVC-ODS develops its control capabilities
Creaform’s HandyPROBE brought tangible improvements to SVC-ODS's control operations. Now, a wider range of part formats can be controlled in 3D, while reducing handling requirements. This confirms SVC-ODS' commitment to providing complex assemblies that meet precise specifications.
The HandyPROBE made inspections quicker and smoother, with less repositioning needed. Pre-programming capabilities also enable more efficient workflows. Operators appreciated the difference, citing less physical strain and a more comfortable experience overall, thanks to the system's ergonomic design and easy-to-use software. “The HandyPROBE's ability to measure components with the highest level of accuracy without size restrictions was critical for us," Marc added. "It has helped make inspections less burdensome for our team."
"This has enabled us to maintain our ability to meet our customers' stringent specifications with confidence, with precise, reliable measurements, even to tolerances of less than 1 mm," he mentioned.
“Efficiency gains were evident, with inspection times reduced due to faster measurements and fewer equipment adjustments. The ability to control a wider range of formats in 3D is in line with our desire to continue positioning ourselves on new projects; the HandyPROBE has brought us significant improvements on many levels.”
Published 08/21/2025