Quality control system

The quality level of products is monitored by a continuous system of supplier evaluations and a combination of logistical and laboratory inspections.

Suppliers

Suppliers are monitored continuously regarding their delivery and quality performance. FABORY Group strives to cooperate with suppliers who commit themselves to FABORY’s quality agreement.

Suppliers of critical products have been subject to a quality audit by FABORY and if necessary, improvement programmes are being implemented accordingly.

Quality level

The combination of product groups and suppliers results in a quality grading indicating the precise level of monitoring required. Three levels exist: A, which means inspection only by logistic procedures, B, which requires inspection by the Quality Control department for about 40% of the deliveries and C, which requires QC inspection for 100% of the deliveries.

Logistic inspection
All incoming goods are checked by the Receiving Goods staff to verify whether or not they match the bill of loading and labelling, e.g. correct dimensions, product markings and other visual characteristics. These inspections are performed in accordance with adequate, prescribed instructions.

Inspection by QC
The need for inspection by QC department is monitored by the information system and the goods are automatically sent to the laboratory by the internal transport system. Approximately 40% of all goods receipts are inspected by the QC department.

The QC department has been accredited according to ISO guide 25 by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA). Consequently, the QC department is recognized as an independent laboratory, which is authorized to create product certificates. Currently the accreditation is being converted to the new ISO 17025 standard, which replaces ISO guide 25.

The inspections are carried out according to the appropriate product standards and in line with the acceptance procedures described in ISO 3269. Examples of inspected characteristics are as follows:

· Dimensions
· Thread tolerances
· Hardness
· Tensile strength, proof load, torque-strength
· Surface discontinuities
· Chemical composition
· Plating thickness.

If the goods meet the specifications, the “OK” is given for further processing. The whole materials handling process is controlled by the computerized “Warehouse Control System”. The goods are placed directly in storage or repacked in FABORY boxes. If the goods are rejected, non-conforming material procedures are applied.
Non-conforming goods are tagged, the non-conformance is registered and appropriate corrective actions are undertaken.

Traceability
Traceability is built into the fastener itself when it is stamped with manufacturer marks and property class according to national or international standards.
A sophisticated batch management system ensures that all goods receipts can be traced throughout the entire logistical chain. The intake number is printed on the label of the FABORY boxes. Using this number the history file of incoming goods can be traced, including purchase orders, date of delivery, inspection results and in most cases supplier lot number. If applicable, original manufacturer lot numbers are printed on the labels.

Test equipment
The following testing equipment is available in the laboratory:
· Go- and no go-gauges thread-ring and plug-gauges for metric, metric fine, UNC and UNF thread
· Digital callipers, screw thread micrometers (suitable for metric), Unified and Whitworth thread
· Tensile tester 600 kN
· Rockwell hardness tester (HRC and HRB)
· Micro-hardness tester (HV0,1 up to HV10)
· Torque testing fixture, torque wrenches
· Torque wrench tester
· Bolt load meters
· Gauges to measure the recess penetration of Phillips and Pozidriv screws
· Non destructive coating thickness tester
· Magnetic magnaflux crack detection equipment
· Cutting, grinding, polishing and ultrasonic cleaning equipment
· Profile projector microscope
· Stereo microscope
· Metallographic microscope
· Spectrometer (chemical analysis)

Technology

Technological assistance is considered to be of major importance in order to create a high level of technical cooperation with the customers of FABORY. The team of technical experts assists the FABORY affiliates and their customers to solve fastening problems and to give advice in the design of various fastenings. Training modules are being developed for employees and customers. Close cooperation with Standardization Institutes and Engineering Associations guarantees up-to-date technical knowledge and information.