In this blog post, we review the inspection equipment, quality control software, systems, and processes that enable us to achieve the highest standards of quality control throughout the entire production process.
If you spend time on Hirsh Precision’s production floor, you’re likely to encounter the phrase “built-in quality.” It’s one of the many small, and not-so-small, ways that our team exercises its commitment to the highest quality standards.
Quality control plays a fundamental role in manufacturing. Unlike quality measures of traditional manufacturing systems—usually conducted at the end of the production process—quality control at Hirsh is found throughout every stage of the manufacturing process.
From inspection technology to software, and temperature-controlled labs to lot tracking, quality control is layered into every phase of production and baked into every process at Hirsh.
Equipment
To ensure quality control is a top priority across our organization, we invest in the right tools and make them easily accessible to all teams involved.
Our production floor is equipped with a diverse range of metrology equipment, such as Zeiss Duramax CMMs, Mahr wireless inspection tools, drop indicators, and more. These cutting-edge tools are essential in ensuring precise measurements and accurate inspections at every stage of the production process.
In our temperature- and humidity-controlled quality lab, you'll find three Zeiss Contura CMMs, an additional Duramax, an optical comparator, and our Pratt & Whitney Labmaster, which plays a crucial role in driving our calibration system for all metrology equipment.
The combination of these advanced machines allows us to maintain strict quality standards, ensuring that every component and assembly that leaves our facility meets the highest level of precision and accuracy.
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Software
Our quality control software, 1Factory, which handles our calibration gage management, process control plans, and all quality inspection data to allow for us to issue FAIR (first article inspection reports) and CIR (certified inspection reports) along with real-time SPC data analysis
1Factory not only efficiently stores inspection data but also plays a crucial role in gauge calibration, process capabilities, and supplier collaboration.
In addition to 1Factory, our Contacts Relationship Management (CRM) software goes beyond its traditional use for sales and marketing. We've tailored this tool to collect all supplier communication in one centralized location and automate the processes of requesting, collecting, and storing compliance and quality information.
Moreover, our ERP seamlessly integrates with our proprietary production software, Paperless, which provides standardized instructions for set-up, tooling, production, and inspection, along with detailed scorecards and quality information for every part and assembly.
This particular collection of software enables us to uphold product quality within our operations, throughout our supply chain, and when managing vendor services for our customers.
Processes
The Hirsh Production System, our versatile and adaptive Quality Management System (QMS), guarantees our adherence to stringent regulatory standards in industries such as medical (ISO 13485), aerospace (AS9100D), and other technically regulated sectors. This comprehensive system encompasses:
- Overall Quality framework for Hirsh business processes and procedures
- Document Control
- Control of Nonconforming Product
- Product traceability
- Product quality compliance
- Corrective and Preventative Actions
- Calibration
- Supplier Management
- NET, which houses our product work instructions, product workflows, and routings
- 1factory
- Hirsh Academy, which is our online training academy, ensuring all employees are trained as required.
This system also oversees the operation of all metrology equipment, manages our calibration system, coordinates all quality-related software, standardizes operating procedures, provides detailed work instructions, and facilitates our online training academy.
Training
Investing in top-of-the-line equipment and cutting-edge software is crucial to upholding our stringent quality control standards and implementing the necessary processes to ensure top-notch quality and compliance with regulations.
Ultimately, it is the proficiency of our engineers, programmers, machinists, QA technicians, and production specialists in executing our processes, utilizing our metrology equipment accurately, and navigating our systems adeptly that truly matters. This is why we have made significant investments in our online learning academy and on-the-job (OTJ) training programs.
Through our online learning platform, the Hirsh Academy, we cover a wide range of topics including inspection techniques, production methods, and compliance protocols. Starting from their onboarding, all members of our production team undergo training on the proper handling and storage of measurement tools, the regularity of our calibration system, gage traceability procedures, and more. This ensures that every employee handling parts is well-equipped to utilize our equipment, systems, and processes effectively.
The combination of our equipment, software, processes, and training — all governed by our quality management system — results in a holistic approach to quality control. Rather than incorporating it into our production process as a final step before shipping, it’s an integral part of every phase of the manufacturing process.
Amanda White
