Quality & Inspection

We operate a number of procedures to ensure total quality at all levels, as detailed below.

ISO 9001 : 2000

We hold a certificate for ISO 9001:2000 accreditation awarded by QMS. This means that our documented quality control procedures have been vetted and are in good order. But more importantly, the quality management system means that we can ensure the highest standards in our finished product with rapid response times to changing customer requirements and accurate production lead times and on time deliveries.

Verification Of Raw Material Specification

One of the most important aspects of quality control is the verification of raw materials. We used approved suppliers who can offer certificates of conformity where required. With over 30 years experience  in developing our supply chain, we have developed an excellent range of quality suppliers.

Inspection Department

Our inspection dapartment is equipped with regularly calibrated UKAS accredited measuring equipment including height gauges, verniers, granite surface tables and magnifying screens to ensure that the components we manufacture are within tolerances. We aim for zero defect and guaranteed repeatability and have all of our quality procedures written out for reference. Results from the inspection department are used with the quality control procedures as detailed below.

Traceability

Our integrated production management system allows for full batch traceability for every stage of the operation from material procurement through to finishing and shipping with options for release documentation where required.

SPC

We carry out both SPC (Statistical Process Control) on most high volume production runs. SPC is an optimisation philosophy concerned with continuous process improvements, using a collection of statistical tools for:

• data and process analysis
• making inferences about process behaviour
• decision making

SPC is the corner stone of all our Total Quality Initiatives and facilitates the following:

• improved product quality
• improved productivity
• streamlined processes
• reduced wastage
• reduced emissions
• improved customer service

FMEA

We carry out FMEA (Failure Mode Effect Analysis) on all high volume production runs. The techniques help identify failure potential in a design or process ie to foresee failure before it actually happens. This is done by following a procedure which helps to identify design features or process operations that could fail. The procedure requires the identification of:

• All potential failures
• The causes of those failures (there may be several)
• The effects of those failures (there may be several)

Using knowledge of the design or the process, estimates of the probability of these failures due to each cause can be identified, together with the severity of the effects of the failure and the probability of detecting the failure before it becomes critical. This allows us to then carry out preventitive maintenance and plan our quality plans accordingly.

Training

Our staff recieve regular training in disciplines such as power press settings, quality control and general engineering in order that we can ensure the best machine operating practices and product quality. As a growing company we recognise the importance of keeping our staff both motivated and up to date with working practices. We work closely with Business Link and M.A.S.