Abstract
The control of quality begins with the laying down of a specification of a product and ends with ensuring that components are delivered to a customer in a clean and undamaged condition. This is a corporate task involving all personnel in the division, though certain functions are more directly involved than others. The present account of the quality-control methods adopted is written from the viewpoint of the Quality-Control Department whose task it is to decide upon the relevant methods and procedures.
For convenience, the description is broken down into five sections: (1) the laying down of the specification; (2) quality control during manufacture; (3) the audit of raw materials; (4) the audit of quality of the finished goods; (5) the ensurance of delivery of correct parts in a clean, undamaged state to the customer.
Design are responsible for laying down the specification but they may and should consult the Quality-Control Department on such matters as process or machine capabilities. Quality Control is responsible for auditing the quality of incoming goods. Production is responsible for controlling the process at all stages, so that parts correct to specification are manufactured and scrap and re-work are reduced to a minimum. The Quality-Control Department is responsible for aiding in this task by providing inspection equipment and instructions for its use. They also provide a backing-up patrol inspection on the shop floor and mount special investigations. Lastly, they initiate the immediate action when faulty work is found. The Quality-Control Department audits finished batches on a sampling basis.
Finally, the Quality-Control Department collects and analyses statistical data and provides a liaison service on quality matters through normal channels.
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