Is a ballooned drawing required for Xometry VQC?
Often yes for formal dimensional, CMM, or FAIR evidence because the numbered characteristics connect the drawing to the inspection results. But a missing drawing should not be a universal software stopping point: the selected inspection, live job instructions, and any ITAR, export-control, customer, or contractual restrictions determine whether it may be uploaded and how the comparison must be completed.
When the ballooned drawing is central evidence
Xometry’s public CNC and sheet-fabrication inspection guidance says formal dimensional, CMM, and FAIR work includes a dimensional report with a correlated ballooned print and requires a customer-supplied dimensional print. Its sample-document page likewise pairs the dimensional report with the balloon drawing.
The balloon numbers provide the join between the requirement and the recorded result. A reviewer should be able to trace every required dimension, attribute, location, and note to the corresponding inspection-report entry.
Why missing should mean review—not automatic failure
A standard-inspection job may not have the same documentation requirement. A customer may also restrict how a controlled drawing is stored or transmitted. An ITAR or export-controlled drawing must not be uploaded to a service unless the organization has confirmed that the complete processing path is authorized.
The defensible software behavior is to identify the missing drawing, explain which correlations cannot be checked, and let the authorized reviewer decide whether to provide it, complete the drawing comparison in an approved environment, or document why it is not part of the uploaded packet.
What to verify when the drawing is available
Check that the drawing belongs to the same customer part number and revision as the PO, inspection report, and CoC. Confirm balloon numbering is unique and complete, every applicable characteristic maps to a report row, actual numerical results are recorded where measurable, and notes or certificate-backed characteristics have the required evidence.
- No unexplained missing, duplicate, or out-of-sequence characteristic numbers.
- Drawing revision and report revision agree or the approved exception is documented.
- GD&T, surface finish, edge, thread, radius, and note requirements are not silently skipped.
- CERT or N/A entries include a valid explanation and supporting record when applicable.
Check the controlling information yourself
These outside references support the answer above. Open the current page and compare it with the requirements shown on your specific job.
Short answers quality teams can use
Should software fail the whole packet when the drawing is absent?+
No universal hard stop is defensible. It should flag the missing evidence, list the checks that could not be completed, and require an authorized review against the live job and data-handling restrictions.
Can I upload an ITAR drawing to VQC Checker?+
Only if your organization has independently determined that the complete processing flow is authorized for that data. Otherwise keep the controlled comparison in an approved environment.
Does a PDF ballooned drawing work?+
A clear PDF can provide the visual correlation. The selected job may still prescribe a particular form or upload method, so follow the live instructions.
Continue the packet review
VQC Checker is independent software and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Xometry. This is general operational information, not customer approval, legal advice, export-control advice, or a substitute for qualified inspection.