Quality control is a chain of checks that runs from the moment raw material is delivered to the moment finished parts reach the customer. Here is what the QC path looks like on a standard order, and what to ask for if your application requires documentation.

Incoming inspection

Incoming inspection verifies:

Material grade and thickness
Surface condition — scratches, dents, corrosion spots; damaged material is set aside and goes through the complaint procedure

For steel parts intended for contact with food or pharmaceuticals, incoming inspection also verifies the release certificate against EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2 requirements, confirming the material meets the specific alloy standard (e.g. 1.4404 for 316L).

In-process control

During production, quality checks happen at each critical operation:

After laser cutting

Nesting verification — confirming the cutting layout matches the approved one (material utilisation, sheet orientation if specified)
Dimensional spot-check — key dimensions measured on the first part and at regular intervals during the batch
Edge quality — burr height, cut surface finish, no heat-affected zone cracking

After press brake bending

Angle measurement — using a protractor or angle gauge; the first angle is verified against the drawing before the rest of the batch proceeds
Material compensation — confirming the press brake operator has properly accounted for material springback

After welding

Visual inspection — weld bead profile, porosity, undercut, spatter
Dimensional check — overall assembly dimensions, weld distortion within tolerance

After assembly

Fit and function — do parts assemble correctly, do bolted connections match the documentation, does the mechanism move freely
Cosmetic inspection — surface finish, labelling, packaging condition

Final inspection

Before parts are packed and shipped, final inspection verifies the complete order:

Quantity — correct number of parts and assemblies
Documentation completeness — all certificates, measurement reports and inspection records are present (where required)
Visual appearance — no scratches, dents or contamination
Packaging — parts adequately protected for transport

For standard orders, final inspection is a quick, structured process. For orders with a quality documentation package, every measurement is recorded and cross-referenced to the part and the correct drawing.

What goes into a quality documentation package

Depending on the order, the quality package can include:

Document	What it proves
Mill Test Certificate (MTC)	Material grade, chemical composition, mechanical properties
Incoming inspection record	Material was verified before production started
First-article inspection report	First part in the batch meets all drawing dimensions
Dimensional measurement report	Selected parts measured with measuring instruments, results recorded
Welding procedure record	Welding method, parameters, welder qualification (if applicable)
Surface treatment record	Coating inspection (quality, thickness)
Delivery note / packing list	Quantity, part numbers, order number

The level of documentation depends on the order. A bracket for a machine frame may need only a delivery note. A part for the food or medical industry may require the full set.

ISO 9001 in daily practice

ISO 9001:2015 is a system that ensures the quality control process is repeatable and documented. In daily practice, this means:

Documented procedures — every inspection step has a defined method, frequency and acceptance criteria
Calibrated instruments — measuring tools are regularly calibrated
Non-conformance reporting — when a part fails inspection, there is a defined process: root-cause analysis, corrective action, re-inspection
Continuous improvement — defect trends are tracked and influence process adjustments

For the customer, ISO 9001 means consistency: part #1 and part #1,000 go through the same checks.

When to ask for additional documentation

Most subcontracted orders do not require a full quality package, but some industries and applications do. If your order requires specific documentation, tell us at the inquiry stage — we will include the necessary certifications and checks in the production plan and quote accordingly.

Our system has been certified to ISO 9001:2015 since 2015. Send us your drawing with your quality requirements, and we will confirm what documentation we can provide.