A few years back, I wrote an article related to dimensional control about the limitations of asking inspectors to write the exact values they find when checking measurements of items like garments and precision mechanical pieces. First, … [Read more...]
What Is the Confidence Level when Working with AQL Tables?
A reader wrote to me and asked the following question about sampling plans by attributes: What is the "Confidence Level" when using the AQL Tables? How can we determine what the confidence levels are, and are there formulas we can … [Read more...]
What Is The Minimum Viable Quality Management System For A New Manufacturer? [8 Steps]
I have often looked for best practices by looking at the automotive industry's practices when considering what the minimum viable quality management system for a new manufacturer can be. For example: ISO/TS 16949: Great Improvements … [Read more...]
How To Test Plastic Material Properties [Videos]
I recently published a list of videos on the injection molding process, and importers of hard goods made from plastics (or at least using plastic components) also need to know how to test plastic material properties. Why is plastic … [Read more...]
Does The Safety & Quality Of Products Sold On Amazon Pose Risks?
A few weeks ago, a journalist asked me whether products sold on Amazon present higher safety risks and whether their quality is inferior (relative to other distribution channels). My guess is that yes (I have no solid data to back that … [Read more...]
Traceability in Manufacturing: Do your Chinese Suppliers Do it Right?
I see buyers who spend a lot of time pushing their suppliers to do QC inspections on incoming components, to keep the production area clean, to give clear instructions to operators, and other basics. But I seldom hear them push for … [Read more...]
A Simple AQL Calculator To Prepare Your Product Inspections
One of our developers prepared this simple AQL calculator for Sofeast. You can use it instead of reading the AQL tables to quickly produce your sample size and permissible defect number. … [Read more...]
100% Inspection in a Third Party Facility in China: The How-To
I am guessing that about 96% of quality inspections done in China, on behalf of overseas buyers, are conducted in the supplier's facility on a set of randomly-picked samples. About 3% are done at the supplier's facility, on 100% of the … [Read more...]
How Much Does a Quality Inspection in China cost?
Understanding the cost of quality inspections in China I am always surprised by the expectations of some importers regarding the cost of quality inspections in a Chinese factory. Some importers get to talk about their project for some … [Read more...]
The Special Inspection Levels in the AQL Tables
A few years ago I wrote about the inspection levels, but I regularly notice that some people are confused about the "special" levels (S1, S2, S3, and S4). Here is what the ISO 2859-1 standard says (emphasis is mine): The inspection … [Read more...]
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