In the product development process, prototypes can help engineers evaluate product concepts before mass production. Prototype quality is important to make sure engineers get correct feedback from the prototypes.
Prototype Quality Assurance and Control is important in the product development process. It ensures prototypes achieve the quality requirements with effective quality assurance measures. This blog will discuss the main components of prototype quality assurance and control.
What Is Prototype Quality Assurance
Prototype Quality Assurance is a process to ensure prototypes meet predefined quality standards and specifications. Its measurements include inspection, testing, and reporting at different stages of the product development cycle to identify defects in the prototypes.
Key Components Of Prototype Quality
Material
Prototype material is important for its performance and functionality. Material testing and verification help identify any substandard or non-compliant materials.
Dimensional
Measuring the prototype’s dimensional accuracy against the design specifications is essential to identify any deviations and ensure precise alignment.
Aesthetics
The surface finish of the prototype needs to be evaluated to ensure it meets the desired aesthetics and cosmetic requirements. Usually, this is done by visual check.
Functional
Functionality is the goal of making prototypes. engineers can test the prototype’s functionality according to predefined test methods and requirements.
Fit And Assembly
The prototype’s fit and assembly with other components need to be checked to ensure proper functionality.
Prototype Quality Control Process
Establish Clear Quality Standards
According to the ISO 9001-certified quality management system, a prototype company can incorporate standardized production procedures and work instructions, to ensure a high level of quality assurance. An example of a production flow chart is below:
Statistical Process Control (SPC)
Implement SPC techniques to monitor and control the manufacturing process. SPC helps Identify the key Characteristics to control in the process based on the function analysis of your prototype and define proactive corrective actions accordingly.
Document Inspection Procedures
Develop documented inspection procedures that detail how each aspect of the prototype will be inspected and tested. This ensures consistency and repeatability in the quality control process.
Measure With Advanced Inspection Equipment
Inspection equipment such as coordinate measuring machines (CMMs), optical comparators for optic prototypes, and other precision measurement tools enable accurate inspections. Some major equipment as below:
Traceability And Documentation
Maintaining traceability throughout the quality control process allows for easy tracking and analysis, it can help in identifying potential issues and making effective corrective measures.
Continuous Improvement
Conducting regular reviews and gathering feedback from engineers who excite the quality measures and continuously improve the current quality process.
Iso 9001 Quality Assurance Certification
Developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO 9001 provides a Quality Management System (QMS) that helps prototype manufacturers maintain a good quality service to customers all the time.
Through this quality management system, KUSLA focuses on customers’ needs and specifications of quality control in manufacturing, this makes us deliver qualified products to our customers on time with over 98% pass rate.
Conclusion
As the leading Rapid prototyping factory in China, KUSLA strictly follows the quality control process to manufacture high-quality plastic and metal parts for our global customers.
Data Source
- International Organization for Standardization (ISO) https://www.iso.org/
- British Standards Institution (BSI) https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/standards/iso-9001.html
