The Importance of Quality Control in Manufacturing

Quality control is the cornerstone of manufacturing and a crucial element for the success and profitability of all manufacturing companies. Robust quality control processes enable you to gain a competitive advantage, while also benefit from cost savings. Quality control (QC) in manufacturing involves testing units and finished products to ensure that they either meet or exceed the set specifications required. QC is a part of quality management that focuses on inspection at the start and end of the production process, checking the input and output of the manufacturing process. While quality assurance (QA) concentrates on how a product is made or a process is performed, the quality of the product is tested throughout the various stages of the manufacturing process so mistakes can be identified quickly. QC saves a manufacturing company time and money over quality assurance, as less checks are required which slows production, while QA reduces waste as faulty products are identified sooner.

Core Components of Quality Control in Manufacturing

Effective quality control in manufacturing includes the following core components:

Quality Planning: Setting quality objectives, defining the resources needed, outlining the processes and identifying customer needs, helps to ensure the manufacturing process goes smoother and the quality of products meets the standard.

Raw Material Inspection: It is important to inspect the raw materials that are going to be used during the manufacturing process as this ensures durability and performance in the final product.

Quality Assurance: Monitoring at every stage of production helps to identify mistakes and faults earlier in the process, which reduces overall waste and ensures more of the finished products are up to standard, highlighting the importance of quality assurance. This involves using tools such as control charts, histograms, and Pareto charts to identify trends which may lead to defects.

Final Inspections: Detailed checks using physical and digital tools like digital callipers, automated inspection systems, and SPC tools, to measure and inspect the quality of products and identify any defects before delivery.

Benefits of Product Quality Assurance

There are numerous benefits of product quality assurance, which is why reliable gasket manufacturers aim to implement QA in their processes. The benefits or product quality assurance include:

Reliability: QA helps to ensure that products perform as intended under specified conditions.

Customer Satisfaction: High-quality products helps to build trust, leading to customer loyalty, repeat purchase and advocacy.

Cost Efficiency: Reduces returns, warranty claims, and reputational damage.

Operational Efficiency:QA can help to streamline manufacturing operations, increasing productivity and reducing waste.

Reduced Variability: With quality goals and control measures in place, there is reduced variability between products.

Other benefits of product quality assurance include the ability to monitor and then make improvements to the manufacturing process going forward, reducing the amount of defective products in the future

factory building

Manufacturing Quality Standards: Industry Standards and Certifications

Industry standards and certifications guide QC processes. Reliable gasket manufacturers RH Nuttall always ensure that we adhere to manufacturing quality standards, ensuring the reliability of all finished goods. These industry standards and certifications, and manufacturing quality standards include ISO certifications, such as:

ISO 9001: A quality management system standard that ensures organizations are continuously improving

ISO 13485: A medical devices quality management system standard that helps manufacturers identify and avoid risks early

ISO 14001: An environmental management system standard that helps businesses identify, manage, and reduce environmental impact.

ISO 27001: An information security management system standard.

ISO 45001: An occupational health and safety management system standard.

Manufacturing quality standards also includes UL Solutions. This is a safety science organisation that tests and evaluates products and system components, providing advice on how to improve products so that they comply with regulations.

Real-World Impact of Reliable Gasket Manufacturers, RH Nuttall

RH Nuttall, reliable gasket manufacturers, ensures we have exceptional quality control and quality assurance measures and we have witnessed first-hand how these have positively impacted on our customers, helping us to foster strong relationships and repeated orders. But don’t take our word for it.

“Many thanks for all your help… Please can you inform all involved how this has helped our business”, Ian. With our reliable products this business was able to put their “production into full swing”. Our reliability has improved their reliability.

“No need for us to look elsewhere when these jobs arise”, Andy. Our quick turnaround and excellent QC enabled us to not just satisfy this order, but to gain trust and repeated custom.

“Thanks very much to you and the team for getting those nylon washers to us so quickly. I will certainly recommend you to our procurement department.” Charl. Customer satisfaction was excelled as a result of great customer service and robust QC.

“We manufacture components to the aircraft industry and as such we have to use the best quality products on the market. We have been so impressed with the products we’ve ordered in the past that we are now in the process of opening an account with yourselves. We look forward to using you as our sole supplier…” Steve. Our QC and QA has ensured we have always given this customer the quality products that is essential for their business, leading to them making us their sole supplier.

quality control at a factory

The Importance of Quality Assurance

When it comes to delivering value to customers, quality control plays an essential and crucial role which cannot be overlooked. It increases customer satisfaction and ensures quality goods are provided, which encourages repeat orders and free marketing through word-of-mouth. Moreover, QC and QA helps you to reduce waste, time and money, improving the overall efficiency of your manufacturing process.

We stock an extensive range of high-quality products, take a look at RH Nuttall’s extensive product range, or contact our expert team for custom solutions. When you’re done, read through some of the other informative and useful blogs on our website to learn more about best practices in manufacturing.

For more information on The Importance of Quality Control in Manufacturing talk to RH Nuttall Ltd