Which wheel hub mold supplier is reliable? An executable factory inspection checklist

Which wheel hub mold supplier is reliable? An executable factory inspection checklist
To determine the reliability of the wheel hub mold supplier, it is more effective to evaluate 12 items during factory inspection: from equipment ledger to trial mold records, scoring each item is more effective than listening to introductions.
First look at the workshop instead of the conference room
The ground condition, fixture placement, and quantity of work in progress in the workshop are more authentic than any description. Excessive accumulation of work in progress indicates uncontrolled production scheduling.
Count the number of mold sets currently being processed. If the equipment exceeds its carrying capacity, the promised delivery time cannot be trusted.
Check if the night shift starts. A factory that only operates day shifts usually has an actual production capacity of only half of its book value.
The equipment ledger should be able to match the physical object
Request to provide a list of equipment and check the nameplates one by one. Focus on five axis machining centers, gantry milling, electrical discharge machining, and three coordinate systems.
More than half of the equipment has a lifespan of over 10 years, and there is a question mark on its ability to maintain accuracy.
Xinfeng Mold will open up equipment and ongoing projects for customers to view in wheel hub mold projects, and this transparency itself is a proof of capability.
Material warehouse and heat treatment
Materials should be stacked in zones according to their grades and labeled with identification cards. Mixing is the main source of material misuse.
It should be clarified whether the heat treatment is done by oneself or outsourced. The quality fluctuation of outsourced heat treatment is greater, and it depends on the supplier's qualifications.
Request to view the heat treatment records for the past 3 months, including hardness testing data. Unable to provide records, indicating that the process is not under control.
Testing and trial mold records
The three coordinate inspection report should show the key dimensions of the mold cavity. Providing only qualified conclusions without data has limited reference value.
The trial mold record should include process parameters, defect locations, and mold modification content. Complete records indicate that the factory is engaged in process management.
Ask a specific question: What defects occurred in the previous wheel hub mold T0 and how were they corrected. Vaguely answered, most likely did not participate in the scene.
Quality System and Certification
IATF 16949 is a common threshold in the automotive supply chain. The certificate must be valid and cover the scope of mold design and manufacturing.
ISO 9001 is the minimum requirement. Claiming to be able to make automotive molds based solely on ISO 9001 requires additional verification of actual project experience.
The certificate can be verified on the website of the Certification and Accreditation Administration. If the certificate number cannot be found, it will be treated as unlicensed.
Delivery and Service
Ask about the after-sales response time. The industry commonly requires a response time of 24-48 hours, and cross provincial projects need to clarify the method of bearing travel expenses.
The supply capacity of spare parts needs to be confirmed. Whether vulnerable parts can be shipped within 7 days directly affects downtime losses.
Whether the mold drawings have been delivered should be specified in the contract. Without submitting drawings, subsequent mold modifications can only rely on the original factory.
Usage of Factory Inspection Score
Assign importance to 12 items: equipment and testing each account for 20%, materials and molds each account for 15%, and systems and services each account for 15%.
Suppliers with a total score below 70 are recommended to only conduct small-scale trial orders. If the score is higher than 85, long-term cooperation can be considered.
Scoring is not the goal, finding weaknesses is. Factories with strong equipment but weak detection can be supplemented by third-party testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do we need to give advance notice for factory inspection?
Answer: It is recommended not to notify and to conduct a surprise check for more authenticity.
Q: Can I make automotive molds without IATF 16949?
Answer: Yes, but it is necessary to verify the actual project and testing capabilities.
Q: How to verify certificates?
Answer: Check the certificate number and scope on the website of the Certification and Accreditation Administration.
Q: How long does the after-sales response usually take?
Answer: It usually takes 24-48 hours, and the cost needs to be clearly stated when crossing provinces.
Q: Will the drawings be delivered?
Answer: It should be stipulated in the contract, otherwise the modification of the mold is subject to others.
Question: What is the score considered qualified?
Answer: A score of 70 or above allows for trial orders, while a score of 85 or above allows for long-term cooperation.
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