Machining—particularly CNC machining—is a complex process involving designs and data. First-run products may sometimes require modifications to perform as desired, which is why CNC machinists are so invaluable to manufacturers: companies can provide specifications to us, and we can produce the end result. Without the skills to work the machines and programs, a machinist would be unable to consistently achieve the high geometric accuracy and low surface roughness required to produce quality parts.
Our goal with machining is to provide consistently high quality custom parts and peace of mind to our customers. We ensure quality through the use of measuring and testing equipment and testing procedures. Knowing that the parts have been inspected in accordance with customer requirements (as well as per ASQ-H1331 and QAP EQ003 requirements when applicable) ensures that our fasteners and parts will meet all the project demands.
Here’s how quality assurance is achieved.
Metrology – The key to producing higher quality parts
Through our assessment, we’re able to determine baselines for things like the threshold for achievable tolerances. When we can predict machining tolerances, we’re better able to ensure quality and accuracy in the final product. The same goes for any imperfections in process performance: when we can see these things early on in the process, we can recalculate and adjust our machines to compensate.
Can cut costs
Manufacturing complex and/or high-value products is both expensive and time consuming. For most manufacturers, the countless iterations and lengthy trial-and error procedures necessary to achieve a final product can easily waste resources. This might be due to in-house manufacturing processes, the performance of manufacturing equipment being used, or material properties and behavior under manufacturing conditions.
When a manufacturer in that position comes to us, we have the metrology infrastructure and the required processes and control technologies to deliver a product that satisfies the customer’s needs and minimizes costs (compared to manufacturing the parts themselves, in-house).
Ensures compliance with any customer or industry requirements
We use modeling software and other metrology equipment to break down a design, which gives us a better grasp on how to meet specifications. We can take those models and graphs and compare them to any requirements provided by the customer, or standards set forth by ASQ-H1331 and QAP EQ003 requirements. If we could only take measurements of a completed product, that would require more iterations, which costs time and money. With our technology, we can take measurements of every aspect of a design to ensure compliance before unnecessarily sacrificing materials, time, and money.
We do everything from commercial fasteners to supplying fasteners for U.S. submarines, tanks, firearms, battleships, and more. That is why quality assurance is so important—it ensures that the fasteners perform as needed and provide the functionality required by the application. In the case of battleships and firearms, it’s essential that every part function in unison and as needed. Quality assurance is as much about the part being produced to specification as it is about the overall performance of the equipment it’s being used for.