When a new product is made in a factory for the first time, there are always uncertainties. And going straight into a large production batch is risky. Many issues can cause that first batch to be a disaster, including: One of the materials/components is not up to standard, or some parts don't fit together as planned The operators, or the inspectors, haven't been trained and make mistakes Some of the operations can't be done as planned in a consistent manner Some of the … [Read more...]
Why Pilot Runs Are So Important [Podcast]
![Why Pilot Runs Are So Important [Podcast]](https://qualityinspection.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/WhyPilotRunsAreSoImportantPodcast-1140x445.jpeg)
Pilot runs aren't just a 'good idea,' they're a must when manufacturing new products as you are about to find out... Renaud and Adrian from the team explore an important part of the new product launch process: pilot runs. In this episode, they'll be exploring the following questions: What is a pilot run, why is it so important when bringing new products to market, and what are the benefits we can expect when performing them before going into full production? After listening you will see … [Read more...]
Why a First Article Inspection Can Save an Entire Production from Quality Issues
Planning the start of production so that a first article inspection can be performed before the rest of mass production takes place... That's not something the average Chinese factory does, unfortunately. However, under the right circumstances, a first article inspection (FAI) can save an entire production from disaster. Here's how... … [Read more...]
Helping a Chinese Factory Improve While Still Holding Them Accountable
You might discover that helping a Chinese factory improve makes sense if you have quality requirements that are challenging to one of the factories you work with, or if you are working with them to develop a complex new product. Actually, it sometimes makes very good business sense. Spending 10,000 USD might save your company 1 million USD in the end! And yet, there is a point where you can't keep "helping" them all the way, as they start to take the habit of being "baby-sat" and they … [Read more...]