Learn about quality control in electronics manufacturing.
At Z-AXIS, the pursuit of quality is a never-ending journey. ISO 9001:2015 is our starting point, but we go above and beyond compliance with this quality standard. Year after year, we’re making dramatic improvements, and with growing benefits for our customers and suppliers.
In the video above, you’ll learn how our Quality Management System (QMS) is ISO 9001:2015 certified and how we’re constantly improving.
ISO 9001:2015 Certified
Like many companies today, Z-AXIS is ISO 9001:2015 certified. That means our quality management system, or QMS, has been audited by a third-party. When you do business with us, you can be confident that quality control is part of everything that we do – and not just inspections.
Yet, Z-AXIS also exceeds ISO 9001:2015’s requirements by using internal systems that are searchable, sharable, and user-friendly. For the skilled employees inside our four walls, the information they need is always readily available, and our experienced engineers are just a few steps away.
CTQ Dimensions and First Pass Yield
For example, with our Z-AXIS Inspection Protocol, or ZIP, we can easily record and retrieve critical to quality, or CTQ, dimensions. Instead of waiting to inspect your project until it’s complete, we use ZIP for incoming, in-process, and outgoing inspections to help to minimize risk at every step of the way.
As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, Z-AXIS also looks closely at first pass yield. That’s because when a higher percentage of the product passes the test the first time, it means there’s a higher level of product quality. We’re also reducing project timelines so that you can get what you need more quickly.
Troubleshooting, Consistency, and Quality Control
Our troubleshooting database is also a valuable quality control tool. By logging all repairs of non-conforming products, we can spot trends quickly and search easily for past problems that may provide insights about current issues, such as the solderability of a specific board or lot.
Plus, with our process fixture and validation procedures, Z-AXIS can ensure greater consistency with tasks such as crimping cables or stripping the jacketing from wires. We even have our own machine shop for making jigs, something that many electronic contract manufacturers lack.
Instrument Calibration and Product Defects
To optimize our in-house manufacturing capabilities, we’re careful to calibrate instruments like multimeters and equipment like our reflow oven. In the video, the handheld tool that you’ll see is called a mole. It’s used to accurately monitor and record time and temperature variables.
If a customer discovers a product defect, we use root cause analysis to prepare a program of corrective action or preventative action. The latest ISO version doesn’t require PAs, as they’re known, but we create them anyway to help advance quality.
Quality Control at Z-AXIS
Minimizing the risk of human error is also important, so paperless travelers and automatically created product labels and shipping documents are part of our standard operating procedures. Z-AXIS also invests in training and tracks skill levels so that the right employees are assigned to the right jobs.
Our customer feedback database underscores our commitment to your satisfaction. No matter what you tell us, we want you to know that we’re listening. As we do our best to continuously get better, quality control at Z-AXIS is an important part of everything we do.
Contact us to learn more and to discuss your application.