Inspector measuring a machined part with a micrometer

Manufacturing Capability

Quality Management Systems

Plan quality control before production: define acceptance criteria, inspection points and traceable records for the part and selected facility.

Request a Quote Talk to an engineer
Inspection gates
Four stages, scoped per project
First article
FAI scope and approval agreed per project
Records
FAI, CoC, MTR or PPAP options by request
Traceability
Heat and lot tracking when specified
Quality approach
ISO 9001-aligned practices; certification varies by facility

A quality control plan before production

Set the quality control plan (QCP) with the drawing review. Define the characteristics to inspect, suitable instruments, sampling frequency, acceptance criteria and the response to a result outside limits.

Agree document scope, heat and lot traceability, containment steps and any customer approval points with the selected facility before production begins.

Inspection practices can align with ISO 9001 principles. This does not imply that Prime Craft Metal or a partner facility holds ISO 9001 certification; facility certificates are confirmed for the project.

  • Inspection plan and acceptance criteria scoped before production
  • Instrument and sampling method matched to the drawing
  • Containment and reporting steps agreed in advance

Four inspection gates

A typical sequence to scope for the part; checks, records and release points are confirmed in the project quality plan.

  1. 01

    Incoming inspection

    Check supplied material, components or finish against the purchase and drawing requirements. Heat-number matching to material test reports (MTRs) can be included when traceability is specified. Record: incoming check or material records, as agreed.

  2. 02

    First article inspection

    Measure the agreed characteristics on initial parts against the released drawing and acceptance criteria. FAI contents, timing and whether customer approval is a release condition are defined for the project. Record: FAI report, if included.

  3. 03

    In-process inspection

    Check selected features at the sampling frequency defined in the control plan. If results fall outside limits, follow the agreed containment and escalation process. Record: in-process checks, when required.

  4. 04

    Final inspection

    Verify the agreed dimensional, finish, coating or functional characteristics before dispatch. Sampling, acceptance and release authority follow the purchase requirements. Record: final or dimensional report, if included.

Quality documents by agreement

List required records in the enquiry or purchase order. Availability, scope, timing and cost are confirmed for the selected facility and project.

  • REPORT

    First article inspection report (FAI)

    Initial-part measurements for the agreed drawing characteristics and acceptance criteria, when scoped.

  • REPORT

    Dimensional inspection report

    Measured results, sample size and features reported as defined in the inspection plan.

  • PDF

    Material test report (MTR)

    Mill documentation, including EN 10204 3.1 where specified and available, with heat-number linkage when included in the traceability scope.

  • PDF

    Certificate of conformance (CoC)

    A conformance statement may be requested against the agreed drawing revision and purchase requirements.

  • REPORT

    PPAP submission

    PPAP levels 1–5 can be requested; applicable elements, facility capability and commercial scope are confirmed before commitment.

  • REPORT

    Finish or coating report

    Inspection records for specified finish characteristics, such as coating thickness, when required and available.

  • REPORT

    Non-conformance report

    A record describing a detected non-conformance, affected material and agreed disposition, where included in the project process.

  • REPORT

    8D corrective-action report

    A structured root-cause and corrective-action report may be agreed for issues that require formal follow-up.

  • FAI report
  • Dimensional inspection report
  • MTR / EN 10204 3.1 when specified
  • CoC when agreed
  • PPAP levels 1–5 by request
  • Finish inspection
  • Non-conformance report
  • 8D corrective action when scoped
  • Control plan
  • Ballooned drawing

Measurement equipment

Methods and equipment are selected for the drawing requirements and confirmed for the chosen facility; images are illustrative.

  1. Digital caliper measuring a machined steel part at a workbench 01

    Hand measurement tools

    Calipers, micrometers, height gauges and pin or thread gauges may suit common dimensional checks, depending on the feature and required accuracy.

    • Calipers
    • Micrometers
    • Thread gauges
  2. Measurement probe checking a machined component 02

    Coordinate measuring machine

    CMM measurement can be scoped for features such as position, profile or form when the equipment and program requirements allow.

    • Position
    • Profile
    • Form
  3. Caliper beside a drawing with handwritten measurements 03

    Optical or vision measurement

    Non-contact optical inspection may suit small features or profiles; availability, measurable characteristics and report scope are confirmed per project.

    • Profiles
    • Non-contact option
  4. Inspector checking a metal component with a measuring instrument 04

    Surface and coating instruments

    A roughness tester or coating-thickness gauge may be specified for the finish characteristics called out on the drawing.

    • Surface roughness
    • Coating thickness

Inspection method by characteristic

Illustrative methods and records; confirm the applicable scope in the project inspection plan
CharacteristicPossible methodPossible record
Lengths, widths and hole positionsCalipers, height gauge or CMM where specified and availableFAI or dimensional report, if included
Diameters and fitsMicrometers or pin gauges, as appropriateDimensional report, if included
ThreadsThread plug or ring gauges when specifiedDimensional report, if included
Flatness and formSurface plate, height gauge, CMM or optical method as applicableFAI or dimensional report, if included
Surface roughnessRoughness tester against the drawing requirementFinish report, if included
Coating thicknessCoating-thickness gauge when required and availableCoating report, if included
Material gradeMTR review and heat-number match when traceability is specifiedMTR or material record, if included
Appearance and colorVisual check against agreed acceptance criteria or sampleFinal inspection record, if included
Micrometers, a gauge block set and a measuring case on an inspection table

Inspection planning

Define the inspection scope, records and approval points with the selected facility before production.

  • Acceptance criteria agreed
  • Records specified by project
  • Approval points defined in advance

Traceability scope

Specify the identifiers and links required for the project; retention and records depend on the agreed scope.

  • Heat numbers

    Heat-number linkage to material documentation can be specified where the supply route supports it.

  • Lot records

    Define which lot-level inspection results and in-process checks are recorded and shared.

  • Revision control

    Identify the drawing revision for quotation, samples and production, and agree how changes are authorized.

  • Packaging identification

    Specify part, revision, lot and quantity markings required on cartons or labels.

Non-conformance and corrective action

Agree the reporting and disposition process for results outside the acceptance criteria. An 8D is a structured corrective-action report; it is separate from a non-conformance record.

  1. Record the non-conformance

    Identify the part, revision, lot, requirement and observed result in the agreed report format, when required.

    • Record
    • NCR

  2. Contain affected material

    Define how potentially affected stock is identified, held and assessed before disposition.

    • Containment

  3. Investigate the cause

    For issues requiring formal corrective action, document the investigation and supporting evidence.

    • Root cause

  4. Agree disposition

    Rework, replacement, concession or other disposition is reviewed and authorized by the parties responsible for the order.

    • Disposition

  5. Verify corrective action

    Where an 8D is scoped, record the corrective action and the method used to check its effectiveness.

    • 8D
    • Verification

  6. Close the record

    Define the required review, response and closure authority in the project quality process.

    • Closure

Quality questions

Which certifications do partner facilities hold?

Facility certifications vary. Specify any required standard and request the applicable certificate; availability is confirmed for the proposed facility before order. ISO 9001-aligned practices do not mean a facility is certified.

Can I receive inspection data before shipment?

List required records and any review or approval points in the enquiry. Timing, scope and any shipment hold pending approval must be confirmed in the order.

What happens if a part is outside the acceptance criteria?

The project quality process should define containment, reporting and disposition authority. A non-conformance report documents the issue; a separate 8D may be agreed for formal root-cause and corrective-action follow-up.

Can you supply PPAP?

Request the PPAP level and required elements at quotation. Availability, facility capability, scope and cost are confirmed before commitment.

What sampling plan do you use?

Sampling frequency and any 100 percent checks are defined from the drawing and customer requirements, then confirmed in the project inspection plan.

Can I audit or visit the partner facility?

Requests can be discussed for the selected facility and project. Access, timing and any audit arrangements require facility confirmation.

Need a documented quality plan?

Share your inspection, documentation and traceability requirements so availability and scope can be confirmed for the quotation.

Request a quote Talk to an engineer

Related pages