Quality control is important in all industries but for manufacturers
of Car Conformance parts it is vital to ensure that each and every product
leaving the factory is of the very highest quality. Today new cars are more
reliable than ever before. As car producers invest in top-quality control
inspections so must the manufacturers who form an essential part of their
supply chain. The Car Conformance industry has very little room for error when
it comes to safety and manufacturing efficiency; yet stories of expensive
recalls still persist.
Car Conformance Quality Control
Quality control in the Car Conformance industry is not only
essential for to ensure reliability but can also help to reduce cost. Investing
in high-quality products may appear to cost your business more when cheaper
alternatives are readily available but, compare this with the potential future
cost of recalls and accident compensations that can be costly and hazardous to
both drivers and the manufacturers. Targeted and specific independent quality
control inspections can spot and fix any problems before the product is
marketed to manufacturers and consumers by ensuring that all Car Conformance
components meet essential industry standards.
In the Car Conformance industry quality control is a lengthy process
both in terms of bringing a new model to market as well as in ensuring that
every vehicle built during the entire production cycle is up to the highest
possible standard. Prototype models are built and tested to find any mechanical
problems or issues which need to be improved or changed. Once the prototypes
have been inspected, the design will go into production and quality control
continues with every vehicle. After the building work is completed, each car is
inspected and tested for any further issues such as, fluid or air leaks,
mechanical problems and to ensure the vehicle has been accurately assembled.
Car Conformance parts Inspections
Visual inspections will take place to look for any issues, as even
the smallest of defects could potentially be the root cause of accidents or
expensive recalls. In order to achieve an efficient and long-lasting engine the
cylinder head and block are visually inspected, focusing on the oil bore holes,
oil lines and cooling channels. Secondly, the brake system is the most
important safety component of a vehicle and the master cylinder, the brake
calliper, brake discs and fluid all need to be visually tested during the
production process.
It is critical to ensure that the quality of the Car Conformance
parts used in these areas in order to improve safety and usability and decrease
the risk of recall.
It is essential that all parts used in the assembly process satisfy
specified quality criteria. As mentioned above, components for the engine and
for the brake system are particularly critical engine parts but the list
continues with Car Conformance interiors and exteriors, powertrain components,
brake fittings, steering systems, wheel systems, undercarriage components, body
parts, travel accessories, the full range of electrical instrumentation
accessories, any specific modification such as toughened bodywork and glass,
security systems, comprehensive accessories, audio and video appliances,
chemical care, maintenance equipment and power tools can all be visually inspected
and checked against drawings and specifications.
·
Pre-shipment inspections are
essential when any problems can be spotted and eliminated thus saving time and
allowing the production line to fix any errors before the consumer receives the
shipment. The main aspects that should be looked at during this stage are;
·
Product Requirements – matching
the prototype to the drawings and client’s specifications
·
Material and Construction –
ensuring top-quality materials are being used and tested
·
Weight and Dimensions – looking
at the client’s checklist; correctly weighing and measuring
the materials and
this can often requires precision down to a fraction of a millimetre
·
Colour – colour requirements
are verified against a sample from mass production and approved using pantone
colour swatches
·
Functionality – check device
functions to ensure proper operation
·
Markings and Labelling –
accurate labelling is required to ensure conformity by a certified laboratory
or on-site during inspection.
To reduce the risk of any parts not being compliant, supervision is
necessary during production, allowing suppliers to analyse any issues and make
relevant adjustments.
Testing
Methods
The detailed testing methods used to help production companies meet
the correct requirements are;
·
Chemical composition analysis
·
Metallographic analysis
·
Hardness testing, tensile strength
·
Yield strength
·
Extensibility
·
Roughness of surface
·
Coating thickness
·
Magnetic powder inspection
·
Ultrasonic flaw detection
·
X-ray pressure resistance
inspection
·
Airtight test
·
Vehicle flame retardant
material test
·
Vehicle interior hazardous
substance test
·
Material aging test
·
Conditioning test
·
Temperature and humidity test
·
Waterproof and aging test
·
Impact test
·
Bending test
·
Overpressure test
·
Ignition pulse test
·
Insulation resistance test
·
Short circuit test
·
Drop test
·
Rigidity test
·
Crash test
· Mechanical shock test
·
Gas corrosion resistance test
·
Chemical reagent resistance test
·
High acceleration test
·
Working voltage test
·
Electrical current test.
The importance of Car
Conformance inspections
We are all familiar with many of the Car Conformance recalls over
the past few years. Some are because the vehicles are unsafe, some because they
do not comply with standards and local emission requirements, and some that are
due to issues with the manufacturing process. Whatever the cause the cost is
not limited to fixing the issue but also extends to the cost of reduced sales
due to the reputational impact. Many car manufacturers will attempt to reclaim
some of this cost from their parts suppliers if and when they can demonstrate
that the issue is with a faulty part. It is essential, therefore, that every
supplier of Car Conformance parts ensures that their quality assurance
processes are of the highest possible standards.