Metal Stamping Quality Assurance: What You Need to Know
Leave a CommentQuality assurance (QA) testing refers to the process of ensuring that a product is of the highest possible quality. The success of metal stamping and fabrication companies heavily depends on the level and degree of quality testing they provide, as the components they produce are often used in critical settings like automotive, aerospace, or medical applications.
At Manor Tool, we have built a reputation for providing unparalleled custom metal stamping and fabrication services to critical industries. We recognize the importance of quality assurance in metal stamping and metal fabrication, so we have a comprehensive, in-house quality assurance department and QA equipment.
Here you’ll learn more about how QA works in metal stamping and the types of QA equipment.
How Quality Assurance Works in Metal Stamping
ISO 9001:2015 section 3.6.2 defines quality as the extent to which an object’s set of inbuilt properties fulfills requirements. Quality control helps prevent defects when manufacturing metal parts. It also ensures the formed parts meet design specifications and work properly. A well-planned quality assurance program ensures time and cost efficiency in manufacturing while also preventing product safety issues that can lead to additional costs due to product recalls.
Pre-Fabrication Inspections
The first step during the pre-fabrication process is to inspect the raw materials. They should have the properties necessary to meet the specification of the parts.
Then follows a failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA). This systemic evaluation establishes where and how the fabrication process may fail and assesses the relative effect of different failures to identify the parts of the process that require adjustments.
Advanced product quality planning (APQP) also comes during pre-fabrication inspection. It involves creating a framework of manufacturing procedures and techniques that are satisfactory to the client.
Fabrication Process Controls
This phase involves monitoring and documenting fabrication in real time. It also involves confirming whether the process conforms to various quality standards, including:
- Pressure Equipment Directive (PED)
- Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS)
- ISO 9001:2015
- International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)
- Military Specifications (Mil-Spec)
- Internal quality policies
Post-Fabrication Confirmation & Testing
A quality assurance program is only complete if it involves inspections throughout the manufacturing process. Complex and precise quality assurance measuring systems such as 3D scanning finish off the inspection process.
Quality Metal Stamping Testing Technology
Here are the most commonly used types of quality assurance equipment.
Statistical Process Control Systems
These systems track manufacturing processes by measuring and controlling quality. They trigger various instruments and machines to give quality data, which helps control the manufacturing process.
Optical Vision Systems
Optical vision systems provide precise measurements of stampings. An example is our 2-axis optical comparator, which inspects and measures the dimensions of small turned and round parts.
Functional Gauges and Custom Gauges
Functional gauges allow immediate checks on parts output to ensure they are fit for assembly and function. The gauge prevents the creation of bad parts and reduces or eliminates non-value-added measurements. On the other hand, custom gauges help develop design and quality standards for metal stamped parts.
Digital Measuring Machines with Metrology Software
Digital measurement machines are crucial in quality assurance as they help improve accuracy, increase efficiency, and control what you measure. The metrology software interacts with optical gaging products (OGP) to control, monitor, display, and report every aspect of the measuring process.
CMM Measurement and Layout Capability
A coordinate measuring machine (CMM) helps get dimensional measurements of physical objects by detecting discrete points on the surface of the object. An example is our Brown & Sharpe CMM, a popular series that ensures high-speed, accurate measurements.
Reverse Engineering CAD Software
Reverse engineering CAD software can create a 3D CAD model from a physical part. Capturing millions of data points at a time, the computer-aided program ensures precise measurements of even the most complex products.
Quality Assurance Metal Stamping at Manor Tool
Our quality engineers and inspectors at Manor Tool collaborate with our tooling and development engineers to ensure quality metal stamping services with every project. Manor Tool uses the following QA equipment:
- Sherr-Tumico Fully Programmable CNC 2 Axis Optical Comparator
- Brown & Sharpe Digit-Hite Plus
- Tesa Micro-Hite
- Micro-Vu Excel S12
Our ISO 9001:2015 certification is a testament to our commitment to offering quality metal stamping services and products. We also have a certification from Perry Johnson Registrars, Inc. and maintain our processes according to the standard requirements.
Contact us or request a quote for your project today.