At Mectalent, quality assurance involves verifying at various stages of the production process that the parts we manufacture meet the established quality requirements. This approach extends beyond just the finished parts; it encompasses the entire production process, ensuring comprehensive quality control from start to finish.
Quality is a concept that can vary significantly depending on the part in question.
At Mectalent, quality assurance means ensuring that products consistently meet the specific requirements set for them. A crucial factor in defining quality is the intended use of the finished product, whether it’s for automation technology, quantum technology, or medical technology. The part must perform flawlessly under its expected operating conditions.
In practice, the quality requirements for different parts and products typically include dimensional accuracy, adherence to specified tolerances, and surface quality. Additionally, it is essential to verify that the materials used are of high quality and suitable for their intended purposes.
>> Read the blog: Quality is a continuous process
Our customers have specific quality requirements for their parts, but these are also governed by general requirements set forth by EU directives, regulations, decisions, and national legislation. Product-specific legislation further outlines the responsibilities of manufacturers, importers, and distributors in ensuring product compliance.
Standards are also pivotal in product design and manufacturing, testing processes, safety assurance, and compliance assessment. At Mectalent, our operations are guided by certified quality systems ISO 9001 and ISO 13485. In the defense and aerospace industries, we adhere to the AQAP 2110 and EN 9100 standards.
>> Learn more about Mectalent’s quality policy
Challenges in quality assurance for machined parts include maintaining dimensional accuracy in large production batches and consistently ensuring quality at each production stage. Ensuring material quality and managing quality variations can also pose challenges.
Moreover, challenges for quality assurance can be presented by new and evolving technologies. These introduce new kinds of quality requirements and may require entirely new ways to ensure quality during and after the production process.
In tackling the challenges of quality assurance, it is crucial to be ready to develop and change processes, renew equipment, and adopt new practices. At Mectalent, we continuously develop and update quality assurance processes and equipment. We also explore opportunities to add automation, such as cobots, to enhance quality assurance.
Quality assurance begins already in the production design phase, and it only ends when the finished product has been delivered to the customer and the customer's satisfaction has been confirmed.
When an order request is received at Mectalent, we first ensure the manufacturability of the part from the drawings. Following the order, a structure for the product is created in the ERP system. At this stage, the necessary measurements and tests required by quality assurance are defined. These requirements are based on the specifications set by the customer and the principles of our own quality policy.
When reviewing the plans, the manufacturing process is also evaluated to determine how to carry out manufacturing as smoothly, high-quality, and cost-effectively as possible. At this stage, method designers and operators plan the machining implementation, and the plan undergoes checks through quality assurance processes. Considerations of production speed, costs, environmental impacts, and their optimization are integral to the quality assurance process.
Before beginning production, we meticulously ensure that the materials and components received from suppliers meet our quality requirements. To accomplish this, we utilize a receiving inspection process during which materials and components are thoroughly examined. For instance, any variations in material quality are documented during this inspection.
Additionally, part of our quality assurance for machined parts involves maintaining detailed records of the materials used. This practice not only ensures the traceability of our products but also facilitates the identification and correction of potential problems.
The machining process is continuously monitored throughout production to assess the quality of both the machining and the final product. For example, the CNC machine operator tracks variables such as machining speed, feed rate, cutting depth, and the temperature of the workpiece. They also measure the workpieces according to provided guidelines.
Measurement guidelines are derived from the customer's product specifications along with product-specific instructions for measurement, testing, and inspection. The monitoring and measurement process may include sample-based inspections or 100% inspections, depending on customer requirements or our internal processes. Necessary adjustments are made to the production process based on these observations until the parts meet the established requirements.
To monitor the uniformity of the parts, a measurement or inspection log is maintained. For parts requiring particularly precise tolerances, measurements are carried out according to customer-provided instructions that define nominal dimensions and batch sampling. All measurement events are recorded in this log, which accompanies the delivered parts to the customer.
In the final inspection, after post-processing and marking, we further verify that the parts are completely accurate and ready for dispatch to the customer.
>> Read more about measurement and testing at Mectalent
If quality deviations are detected during the quality assurance process, or if a customer raises a complaint about the parts received, we address the issue through a CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action) process. This involves identifying the root cause of the deviation, after which we devise and implement corrective and preventive measures. These measures are designed to ensure that the deviation does not recur in the future.
High-quality and carefully selected raw materials, a meticulously designed machining process, and precise measurements taken during machining are crucial for ensuring part quality. However, at Mectalent, quality assurance extends beyond just the part being manufactured — it encompasses the entire production process.
Our production process incorporates quality management, which is a fundamental principle of our quality control system. This system is based on standards such as ISO 9001 and ISO 13485, which are integral to our operations. The philosophy behind quality management is to integrate quality into the company's internal processes, effectively eliminating defects, waste, and other inefficiencies.
Most importantly, through our quality management practices, we foster a culture where quality is the responsibility of the entire Mectalent team. We are committed to continuous improvement in our operations and the quality of our services, ensuring that excellence is a defining characteristic of everything we do.
>> Read the blog: Where to start when comparing contract manufacturers?
Contact our sales if you are interested in learning more about our machining services!