Having a manufacturing partner on your side comes with plenty of benefits, such as increasing your profit margin, scaling up your production when needed, and saving substantial infrastructure costs. However, getting a product that is perfectly manufactured to your specifications is easier said than done. Faulty products will not only eat away your profits but also tarnish your brand name.
You need to have a comprehensive product inspection plan to make sure each product satisfies the required technical and safety standards. A well-established product quality inspection by an expert can help you get the products manufactured as per your requirements. To get the maxim benefits of pre-production inspection, however, you need to know what it is and the critical steps involved in it.
What Is Product Inspection?
This is the process of checking the products to see if they confer to your technical and other specifications and requirements. The primary purpose of acquiring product inspection is to validate the aesthetics (appearance), construction, and functionality of your product.
It essentially allows you to identify defects (if any) before the product is shipped, helping you avoid substantial financial losses. You can either hire full-time quality check inspectors or certified third-party inspection company.
1. Create Benchmark for Product Inspection
One of the first things you need to do is to create a benchmark for product inspection. You will need to get a sample in a perfectly working condition from the manufacturer and approve it. This sample will be treated as a benchmark or standard. So, it is known as a golden sample.
This sample will help you align your quality expectations with your manufacturer. It also tells you that all possible product revisions are complete, and your production process is ready to churn out high-quality goods conferring to your specifications.
You will need to send a golden sample to your manufacturer because they will use it as a physical point of reference. Make sure to approve the sample after thorough investigation. Your entire product line depends on it.
2. Create Product Inspection Checklist
Documentation also plays a critical role in helping your manufacturer stick to your specifications. That’s why you will need to create a product inspection checklist, the moment you have approved the golden sample. Your manufacturer won’t be able to start making the product without the golden sample or the checklist.
Make sure the checklist is as detailed as possible. It should include everything from material and construction (manufacturing) specifications to color and packaging requirements. You should carefully outline the standards and specifications manufacturer needs to follow and also provide criteria to inspect the product before it gets shipped.
You can work with your product inspection services provider to create the checklist. Most companies will provide you with a sample list. However, it all boils down to understanding all aspects of your product like the back of your hand.
3. Quality Inspection at Every Step
While pre-shipment inspection is commonly known, usually a typical product inspection process involves different quality tests at different stages of the manufacturing process.
The three most critical ones are:
Pre-Production Inspection (PPI)
This inspection occurs before manufacturing begins. It usually involves checking the raw materials to see if they confer to the quality standards and specifications set by the buyer. It helps you prevent from creating products based on defective raw materials.
During Production Inspection (DUPRO)
As the name suggests, this inspection takes place while the production is underway. Usually, the inspection is done when 15%-20% of your products are manufactured.
The primary purpose of this inspection is to see if the products confer to the given specifications. It helps you determine if the manufacturing process is working properly to create the desired products. It will help you avoid further financial losses.
Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI)
This inspection occurs before your product is shipped and when 100% of the production is complete. The purpose of pre-shipment inspection is to make sure the final products confer to your specifications and requirements. This is one of the most vital steps in supply chain management.
4. On-site Testing
On-site testing is also a critical part of the product inspection process. It helps you to determine the performance of your product under different working conditions. On-site testing usually provides you with a complete picture of how your product is performing.
There are generic on-site tests and product-specific tests. Generic tests are applicable for more than one type of products. For example, Power consumption test is commonly used to determine how the power is consumed by an electronic device. Similarly, the HIPOT test is also fairly common for most electronic devices.
However, depending on your product, you may require specific on-site tests. For example, tires require balancing, friction, and wear and tear tests. The third-party testing company should have the necessary setup for testing.
Your testing service partner will be more than willing to share a list of on-site tests they can perform. Make sure to go through the list. Also, check if manufacturer has the necessary equipment and lab setup to perform the tests.
5. Reporting
The last, but the most important aspect of product inspection process is the reporting. As a buyer, you are entitled to receive a detailed written report from the third-party quality test inspector or company.
The report will describe the issues or defects found during the inspection. Sometimes, it will also describe the course of action required to rectify the defects. Usually, the report will deem your product as Pass or Fail or Hold.
The report will also provide photos of the products and tests. Sometimes, you may receive initial report after the preliminary inspection, and a final one after complete inspection.
You will need to familiarize yourself with the reporting language as you will need to review each point in the report very carefully. You can, of course, ask your service provider for further clarification. After a thorough review, you should offer your insights to the supplier and decide the next course of action.
Parting Words
While having a product inspection partner can help you maintain product quality without any stress, maintaining required quality standards is often tough. As a supplier, you need to understand the basics of how product inspection works.
Hopefully, this post will help you understand what product inspection is and the critical steps involved in it. Being one of the leading third-party product inspection experts in China, Huaxin can help you test your products quickly and efficiently. If you have any queries about product inspection, feel free to talk to our experts or send your detailed enquiry for a quote.