How is quality control maintained in the fabrication process?
15th Mar
As a bespoke fabrication company based in Sheffield, FEM delivers quality metal fabrication products not just to companies in the northern Midlands, but across England, the whole of the UK, internationally, and even offshore.
What makes us a trusted fabrication company is our assurance and delivery of quality. So in this blog, we explore what that means to us, and why you should always seek out a bespoke fabrication company near you that priorities quality…
What do we mean by ‘quality control’ in metal fabrication?
Quality control in metal fabrication means producing products to a high standard.
The International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) defines quality as the “degree to which a set of inherent characteristics of an object fulfils requirements”.
Quality within a fabrication company will be met and maintained using a Quality System – ensuring all elements of production, and all those involved in the production process, are working to the requirements of the same quality manual.
For quality fulfilment, metal fabrication firms will create a Quality Management programme to ensure Quality Control (completion of the process) and Quality Assurances (requirements of the process being met).
Quality Control is not a ‘one size fits all’ system, with each bespoke fabrication process requiring its own standards of quality to meet specifications. Unique quality control measures are identified by a specialist during the design part of the fabrication process.
How is quality control maintained in metal fabrication?
Quality control is maintained with the inspection of the product at each stage of its production.
This starts with a pre-production check of the materials; followed by an in-process inspection; completing quality control with a final inspection of the finished product.
How is quality control implemented in metal fabrication?
A considered quality management programme ensures quality control is implemented at every stage of the production process.
This includes:
Time – ensuring the timeline of production is kept to so that deadlines are met.
Safety – that the production team has safety training and codes of conduct are adhered to.
Cost – keeping to budget by limiting errors and delivering on time.
Compliance – making sure staff are trained on product compliance.
Maintenance – keeping equipment well maintained and regularly checked.
Communication – putting a system in place where any issues with quality are reported.
Automation – smart technology means quality control data can be monitored and stored.
Review – regularly reviewing quality control practices to be sure standards don’t slip.
Why is quality control important?
Quality control is important not only for the customer, but also for the integrity and safety of the finished product.
That’s why FEM – a bespoke fabrication company in Sheffield – puts so much into quality control, as it’s vital to our reputation and why so many of our clients choose us time and again.
For us the quality control measures we put in place for metal fabrication projects mean our clients receive a finished product that is quality assured, free of defects and meets the brief and need they gave us at the design stage. And by putting in quality control measures at every stage of the process, issues are picked up quickly.
In conclusion, quality control is vital to the fabrication process because it: prevents defects, ensures functionality, guarantees safety, keeps products uniform and delivers projects to time and on budget.
What are the benefits of quality control to the metal fabrication process?
As the team here at our fabrication company in Sheffield have touched upon already in this blog, there are multiple reasons quality control is important in the metal fabrication process.
But here are a few other benefits brought about by quality control:
- Significantly reduces the risk of recall and all that comes with that.
- Enhanced measures improve safety.
- A reduction in liability risk.
- An increase in customer satisfaction.
What quality assurances should you look out for when choosing a fabrication company?
Following on from the quality control measures put in place during production is the quality assurance of not just the manufacturer, but of recognised third bodies such as ISO.
ISO defines quality assurance as “part of quality management focused on providing confidence that quality requirements will be fulfilled”.
Here at FEM we are accredited with ISO 9001 Certification, which sets out the criteria for a quality management system, helping to ensure our customers get consistent, high-quality products and services.
FEM’s ISO 9001 Certification helps us to comply, inspect and manage our quality control methods, and is the accredited quality assurance our customers look for when choosing us.
What quality control means to FEM…
Quality control isn’t just a box-ticking exercise for us here at FEM. We believe it is integral to the integrity of our business and the reason we are so highly reviewed as a fabrication company in Sheffield.
We want every product we produce to be fit for purpose, delivering each project within budget and in a timely manner.
It’s the value we place in quality control which is why we are so well regarded in our industry, putting quality at the heart of everything we do, from an initial client consultation to the arrival of the finished product at its destination.
Where can I find quality control maintained fabrication near me?
Based in Rotherham, just outside of Sheffield in the north midlands of England, Fabrication Engineering Maintenance Ltd (FEM) is centrally based in the UK to easily meet the needs of customers across the length and breadth of the British Isles. We’re open Monday to Friday and always keen to have a chat about how we can fulfil your bespoke fabrication project.