FMT3

Fastener measurement tool

Edare’s Fastener Measurement Tool brings laboratory-grade aerostructure fastener inspections at scale to the production floor, filling a need in the aircraft assembly market that has persisted for decades. Handheld, portable, and designed to be used with minimal training, the FMT3 is designed to integrate seamlessly into existing manufacturing environments.  The FMT3 delivers rapid, objective, pass/fail evaluations of OML countersinks and fasteners, based on dense 3D scan data and advanced fully automated algorithms. The FMT delivers quality improvements, reduces costs, and accelerates production lines, and is setting the standard for aerospace fastener inspection.

Winner of the DoD's Manufacturing Achievement Award, Edare's Fastener Measurement Tool was developed in collaboration with Navy, Airforce, and industry partners to meet the demanding requirements of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.

FMT enables full-rate production of f-35

with a 50% touch labor reduction, FMT's impact on aerospace manufacturing has led to over $13M+ cost savings

Edare transformed a prototype into a robust, production-ready inspection system suitable for high-rate aerospace manufacturing environments. This included engineering refinements for manufacturability and durability; precision assembly and calibration of high-fidelity laser measurement heads; integration of the wearable processor and power systems; quality-controlled manufacturing and system validation; and field deployment, operator training, and ongoing support.

The result is a lightweight, handheld measuring head with an integrated digital display, paired with a belt-pack processor that stores measurement data for traceability and further analysis. The portable system enables inspection anywhere on the aircraft, both before and after conformal fill application.

Edare ensures each system meets stringent aerospace quality standards while delivering repeatable performance on the production floor. The FMT has been heavily integrated into the F-35 program, as well as on more than 18 additional platforms. On the F-35 program alone, the FMT has delivered substantial operational and financial benefits.

Download Product Sheet

DELIVERING INNOVATION
FMT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

Design and Engineering

Developed in collaboration with Navy, Air Force, and industry partners

Production Planning

Maintaining strategic partnerships with suppliers to develop and produce FMT components

TESTING & VALIDATION

Managing validation and testing through certified partners and in-house performance testing

HIGH-END MANUFACTURING

Excelling at specialized production and quality assurance

Product Management

Leading go-to-market strategies, sales, and continuous product development

Product Sustainment

Providing support through calibration, refurbishment, and repair

DELIVERING IMPACT
FMT's PATH TO SUCCESS

RESEARCH

Edare and R&D partner, Creare, collaborate to develop core Laser Metrology technology for a variety of use cases including medical imaging and aerospace manufacturing inspection applications.

DELIVERY OF FMT
to F-35

First ever production FMT deliveries.

DELIVERY & Development

In parallel to delivering and supporting FMT customers, Edare focuses on developing the FMT technology.  Edare invests in a fully handheld variant and develops Countersink Mode to position FMT for broad aerospace market adoption.

COMMERCIAL, DEFENSE PROGRAM, AND INTERNATIONAL
DEPLOYMENTS

Edare expands to bring the FMT broadly into the domestic and international aerospace
commercial andefense markets.

2014
2016-2017
2019-2023
2023
2022-2026
2026+

INDUSTRY PROBLEM

Fastener Inspection identified as a barrier for F-35 production due to cost and time involved. SBIR-funded work emerged to focus on fastener inspection for the F-35, in collaboration with AFRL, ONR, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman.

SOLUTION

Together, Edare and Creare apply their core laser metrology technology to the F-35 critical defense need, and develop a handheld scanner that is practical and solves the need for a more accurate and efficient process. Edare matures proof of concept prototype to a delivered, supported product.

FMT3 & CSK Mode Introduced

Robust and compact handheld scanner with countersink capabilities released targeting broader market beyond Low Observable defense aerospace.

CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT

Edare continues to improve and develop new applications for the FMT.

Bill Fischer

SENIOR ENGINEER AND METROLOGY PRODUCT MANAGER
LEADING DEVELOPMENT OF ADVANCED INSPECTION SYSTEMS

Bill Fischer is a Senior Engineer and Metrology Product Manager with deep experience leading advanced inspection systems from early concept through scaled deployment in aerospace production and sustainment environments. He brings a practical, operations-focused understanding of what it takes to deliver sustained, real-world impact in the most demanding manufacturing and sustainment settings. 

At Edare, Bill leads technical product management, engineering, and strategic roadmap development for Edare’s metrology portfolio, including the Fastener Measurement Tool (FMT). His role bridges technical leadership and business development, with direct responsibility for translating complex inspection challenges into field-proven, scalable metrology solutions.