PM Parts Quality Assurance

Management System for PM Parts ISO 9001-2015

All issues critical to PM Part quality and customer satisfaction are documented in our ISO 9001-2008 Management System Manual. This includes everything from initial contract review through final product shipment.

Our reputation for PM Part excellence is based on our focus on producing quality parts. We have an extensive, and perhaps unique, system of quality controls that is a foundation to our business.

PM Part Contract Review

• Customer service personnel capture exactly what you require off your P.O.
  
• Those PM Part requirements are documented and our engineering functions are deployed to plan the processes necessary to achieve those requirements.
  
• PM Part specific Process Control Plans and Quality Control Instructions orchestrate every step of the manufacturing process to assure conforming output.

Process Control Plans for PM Parts

• Every PM part manufactured by SST has its own Process Control Plan to insure quality through every stage of the manufacturing process.
  
• The Process Control Plan documents the essential characteristics for control at each point of fabrication and inspection to assure conforming output.
  
• For each of those PM Part characteristics, the PCP specifies the dimensional targets, tolerances, measurement tools, frequencies, and control methods required.
  
• An elaborate database of more than 1,100 Process Control Plans is available to all personnel at computer terminals throughout the facility for our PM Parts.

Quality Control Instructions for PM Parts

• In addition to the Process Control Plans, more detailed information about each PM part is provided in Quality Control Instructions (QCI).
  
• At each fabrication point, the QCI provides details for each of the characteristics to be controlled or monitored, including specifications for the dimensional targets, tolerances, measurement tools, inspection frequencies, and control methods.
  
• The QCI also contains drawings detailing where PM Part characteristics are to be measured, and up to five photos depicting everything from gauging methods to visual inspection criteria.
  
• Process inputs such as material handling are also specified for consistent PM Part results.
  
• Statistical Process Control (SPC) is used on all controllable characteristics.

Inspection of PM Parts

• All instruments used for the evaluation of PM part characteristics or process inputs are calibrated and traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
• Gauges and measurement instruments are calibrated and maintained on a rigid schedule.
  
• In many cases, custom fixtures have been developed to remove measurement variation.

PM Part Sub-contracted Services

Subcontracted services for our PM Parts are controlled at approved vendors using outside service drawings and specifications. These extensions of our Process Control Plan are communicated on our Purchase Orders to our vendors, who when required, provide data and/or certifications stating these PM Part requirements have been met.

PM Part Materials

Sterling Sintered has developed a system of specifications that assure consistent inputs to our operations. Raw materials, productive oils & greases, and purchased components are never bought off the shelf.

Traceability

A system of Traceability, tied to lot-based tracking numbers, assures that every shipment of PM parts can be traced to the raw materials used and each fabrication and critical process parameter. This includes all in-house and sub-contracted processes.

Part specific control documents can be supplied for your new PM parts during the Pre-Production Approval Process (PPAP).

Certificates of Compliance, with or without data, can be supplied with every shipment.