Ahaus Tool and Engineering, a leader in custom workholding and custom automation, has made quality control a cornerstone of its operational philosophy.
There are two crucial aspects of Ahaus’s quality control framework: the ISO 9001:2015 certification that governs its internal processes and the meticulous physical quality control and assurance practices employed in the inspection and measurement of its systems and products.
ISO 9000:2015 Certification
The ISO 9001:2015 standard, developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), sets the criteria for a quality management system that enhances customer satisfaction and drives continual improvement. The ISO 9001:2015 standard necessitates regular audits, assessments, and reviews, which prompt the company to identify areas for refinement and innovation. By constantly seeking ways to optimize its processes, Ahaus ensures that its products meet or exceed the highest quality standards.
Physical Quality Control and Assurance
Ahaus’s commitment to quality extends beyond documentation and into the realm of physical product inspection and measurement. This hands-on approach ensures that each manufactured item leaving the production line meets the stringent standards set by the company. Ahaus takes a multifaceted approach to physical quality and precision:
- State-of-the-art equipment: cutting-edge inspection equipment
- Thorough inspections: each product undergoes meticulous scrutiny
- Data-driven decision-making: leveraging data from inspections to drive decisions
- A culture of quality: Ahaus’s workforce is not only equipped with technical expertise but also embodies a commitment to upholding the company’s reputation for quality.
The combination of ISO 9001:2015 certification and physical quality control and assurance practices ensure that every product leaving Ahaus’s production line is a testament to uncompromising quality.
Ahaus’s Commitment to Quality in Custom Workholding
Workholding quality assurance is all about tolerances. Clearly defined tolerances facilitate uniform and repeatable results across multiple workpieces. They act as a safeguard, ensuring that the final dimensions of a workpiece align precisely with the intended design specifications. Ahaus’s workholding tolerances are customized to each customer part or process.
“If you have a wide range of casting tolerances, then the workholding has to accommodate the wide range of casting tolerances that are there, and sometimes customer parts are outside of their casting tolerances per print,” says Ahaus Project Engineer Mark Engle.
Ahaus tests its workholding systems as much as possible internally before the device ever reaches the customer, ensuring that when the customer receives the system, it’s not the first time that fixture has been pressurized, actuated and tested.
Ahaus’s Commitment to Quality in Custom Automation
Quality control serves as a safeguard against potential hazards that may arise from malfunctioning or improperly calibrated automation systems. Thorough testing and validation procedures ensure that automation machines adhere to strict safety regulations and protocols, mitigating risks associated with electrical faults, mechanical failures, and other unforeseen events.
“Quality control is important in automation for multiple reasons,” said Jeff Sheridan, Ahaus Vice President. “The first being that quality of all the components that are used in the equipment is critical. Whether it’s manufactured components by Ahaus or purchased components – like motors and actuators and sensors – it is important that all those components are at a high-quality level, that they’re meeting all their individual specs, so when we assemble them, the process goes smoothly and the equipment functions and performs as intended.”
Ahaus is able to implement automated quality control systems that provide real-time monitoring and data analytics capabilities. This means that the customer can track and analyze production data instantaneously, identifying trends, anomalies, and potential issues before they escalate.
A Culture of Quality
Ahaus trains all new employees in quality control, including taking measurements, cleaning parts, reading drawings to check tolerances, and so on. Quality control isn’t the responsibility of a single department; it’s a shared endeavor. And our dedication to quality control isn’t just a practice; it’s a statement we make, to transform challenges into opportunities and set the stage for a future defined by our commitment to quality.
Here’s the full Ahaus Quality Statement:
Quality Statement: Achieve success by delivering effective, reliable, and timely solutions for our customers.
Our Quality Objectives:
- On time delivery
- Low warranty cost
- Low rework cost
- Sustainable cost of goods sold
To learn more about Quality Control at Ahaus, read our Quality Control Mini Whitepaper here or contact us directly.