Quality you can count on

Inspect

Professional quality inspector examining paint of metal product

Why choose us?

We are committed to creating, maintaining, and continuously improving a quality system that will allow us to deliver products and services at a competitive price.

Quality is one of the cornerstones of who we are. Our quality is something that we go above and beyond to protect. While we are not yet ISO 9001:2015 certified, we maintain a strict and uncompromising standard of quality that we ensure through the processes we’ve set in place.

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Uncompromising Quality Standards

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Strict Quality Management

01

MATERIAL INSPECTION

As soon as material for a project is received, it has to be inspected and tagged as approved before it can be used.

QUANTITY & MEASUREMENTS
We begin by checking that the quantity and measurements of material received matches what we need as specified by our bill of materials.

ALLOY
Next, we check to ensure that the alloy of material we received is in fact what is called for by the project.

AESTHETICS
Finally, we inspect the material to ensure that the material is in good aesthetic shape and that there are no unwanted scratches or visual defects.

02

FIRST ARTICLE INSPECTION

Often times, quality issues and production shortfalls are often only revealed when the production process begins. The purpose of the First Article Inspection is to identify and correct any of these issues before they are encountered on a larger batch run. Factors that determine whether a First Article Inspection is warranted are large quantities, the complexity of the design, proof of design, tight tolerances, and client request.

The First Article Inspection focuses on dimensions and tolerances, fit and function, aesthetics, weld quality, material verification, product testing, and documentation and traceability.

03

IN-PROCESS INSPECTION

In-Process Inspections are conducted at various stages of production to ensure compliance with quality, production and workmanship standards before continuing to the next phase of production.

In-Process Inspections focus on checking dimensions and tolerances, aesthetics, weld quality, material verification, and documentation and traceability.

04

NDE INSPECTIONS

While we do not perform NDE Inspections in-house, we work closely with a third-party and all NDE is performed by an experienced team of personnel who are qualified to ASNT-TC1 standards and possess Level II qualifications for MT (Magnetic Particle Testing), PT (Dye-Penetrant Testing), UT (Ultrasonic Testing) and VT (Visual Examination Testing).

05

PAINT TESTING

Once our products are finished being powder coated, our quality inspector uses three different methods for checking paint standards.

MILLAGE
The first thing we inspect is paint thickness. By using an electronic device, we can efficiently and accurately determine that the millage of the products coating is within the specified tolerance.

DEGREE OF CURE
The MEK test is an ASTM standard. We begin by dipping a cotton swab with Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) before firmly pushing on the product surface and rubbing back and forth. In general, 25 double rubs are performed. Pressing all the way up and all the way down is classed as one double rub. The number of rubs that a coating will pass will vary between product.

ADHESION
Finally, we use a cross-hatch adhesion test to ensure that the painting has good adhesion. We begin by cutting a cross-hatch pattern into the coating of a surface on the product. We then apply pressure sensitive tape to the cross-hatching. Lastly, we remove the tape from the surface. If no paint comes off with the tape, then paint adhesion is good. One square on the tape is okay, but if multiple squares come off, then the coating isn’t properly adhering to the surface and our team will then take the required steps to correct the paint adhesion.

06

FINAL INSPECTION

The Final Inspection is the last step in our manufacturing process. During this inspection, we determine whether the complete product meets all internal and external standards set for the product. Every product that goes out of our door is required to pass a Final Inspection, ensuring that we always maintain our standard of quality.

The Final Inspection focuses on dimensions and tolerances, fit and function, aesthetics, weld quality, material verification, product testing, and documentation and traceability.

337-856-4550

sales@leadingedgemfg.com