Quality
Inspection scoped to the part, not to a brochure
Every quote states what will be measured, on which features, and what you receive as evidence. Nothing on this page is a certification badge—it is the working method we use for export orders, and it is written down before metal is cut.
First article · In-process · Final · Documentation
01 Baseline
What every order gets
These four things are included unless your drawing says otherwise. They are not sold as an upgrade.
Material verification
Incoming bar, plate, and sheet checked against the grade on the PO. Mill certificates supplied when the order calls for traceability.
In-process checks
Agreed hold points during the run—typically first piece, mid-run, and after any tooling change—so a drift is caught before the batch is finished.
Final dimensional check
The features marked on your drawing are measured and recorded before packing. Unmarked cosmetic surfaces are inspected visually.
Photos before packing
Parts photographed as packed, with labels visible, so you can approve the shipment before it leaves or catch a packing error early.
02 Levels
Four levels of evidence
Pick the level that matches the risk of the part. Level 4 and 5 add measurable time and cost, so they are quoted as line items rather than folded into a hidden margin.
| Level | What we do | Fits when | You receive |
|---|---|---|---|
| L1 — Standard | Visual check plus spot dimensions on the features we flagged during quoting. | Brackets, guards, covers, and parts where fit is forgiving. | Packing photos; dimensions noted on the traveler. |
| L2 — Documented | Every ballooned dimension on your drawing measured and written down. | Assembly interfaces, mating parts, first orders from a new drawing. | Dimensional report (spreadsheet or PDF) with the batch. |
| L3 — First article | Full FAI on the first part from new tooling or a new setup, before the run continues. | New dies, new fixtures, transferred programs, pilot builds. | FAI report referencing drawing balloons, plus photos. |
| L4 — Layout / CMM | Coordinate measurement of position, profile, and datum-referenced features. | GD&T callouts, tight true position, safety-adjacent geometry. | Layout report with measured vs nominal values. |
| L5 — PPAP-style | Scoped package assembled to the checklist your quality team supplies. | Production programs where your customer requires a submission pack. | Documents per your checklist, agreed and priced before the order. |
Levels are a starting point for discussion, not a catalogue of certificates. The quote names the level and the features covered.
03 FAI
How a first article actually runs
A first article is a gate, not a formality. If it fails, we correct the setup and repeat it before the batch continues—the run does not “catch up later”.
Balloon the drawing
We number every dimension that matters and agree which ones are critical. Ambiguous callouts get a question before setup, not after.
Approve the setup
Fixture, datum scheme, and tool path confirmed. For stamping, the die is tried on scrap before the first production blank.
Measure the first part
Every ballooned feature recorded against nominal. Values outside tolerance stop the run.
Report and release
The FAI report goes to you with photos. Only after your release—or our internal sign-off on lower-risk parts—does the batch run.
Hold the reference
The approved first part is kept as the visual and dimensional reference for the rest of the order and for repeat orders.
04 Limits
What we do not claim
- We do not publish certificates we do not hold. If your PO requires a specific standard, tell us in the RFQ and we will confirm what can be provided before you order.
- We are not a calibration lab. Where a report needs accredited traceability, we say so and quote it as a separate service through a partner.
- We do not inspect features nobody defined. Cosmetic acceptance criteria have to be written down—otherwise “good looking” becomes an argument at receiving.
- We do not promise zero defects. We promise a defined inspection plan, honest reporting when something is out, and a clear path for rework or replacement.
Measuring equipment we use
Calipers and micrometers, height and depth gauges, pin and thread gauges, radius and surface-roughness comparators, granite surface plate. Coordinate measurement is booked with a partner for layout work.
Documentation formats
Dimensional reports as PDF or spreadsheet, FAI reports ballooned to your drawing, material certificates as issued by the mill, packing lists and commercial invoices for freight.
If something is out of tolerance
You get the measurement, the quantity affected, and the options: rework, replace, or use-as-is with your written concession. We do not ship and explain afterwards.
Is inspection included in the price?
Can you inspect to our drawing only?
Do you provide material certificates?
What happens with a rejected batch?
Can we audit or visit?
Next step
Send the drawing and the inspection requirement together
If the drawing is still open, say which dimensions are critical and we will scope inspection around them instead of guessing.