Introduction
Quality control is a vital aspect of the production process in any industry. Your business or brand cannot afford to leave your products to chance if you intend to thrive in a competitive business environment. They must meet the standards of reliability and safety or exceed them. Failure to do this adequately can affect your brand’s reputation. It could also result in losing loyal customers and even business deals.
The process involves using several quality control devices, which are used to determine if the products meet the required specifications. These tend to help agents from third-party inspection companies identify even the slightest defects and deviations from the defined standard. Using these devices during quality inspection can lead to increased efficiency in the production process. They also help to reduce the waste generated during manufacturing and improve overall profitability. This article explores five of the essential quality control devices.
5 Essential Quality Control Measuring Devices
Maintaining a consistent product standard with your end consumers is a great way to build your brand’s reputation. High standards of quality require precise measuring devices. Some of these include the following:
Vernier Calipers
Vernier calipers are an essential tool in measuring quality control. They are used for assessing the internal and external dimensions of an object with precision. A typical vernier caliper consists of two jaws that can be adjusted to fit what is being measured and a scale. This provides precise readings in millimeters or inches. Inspectors who know how to measure your product quality use them to ensure your goods meet the required specifications.
Vernier calipers are easy to use and their high precision makes them perfect for small objects and parts with tight tolerance. Their abilities are useful in many industries. The automotive industry uses them to determine the thickness of brake pads and the diameter of wheel bearings. In manufacturing, they are used to measure the width of plastic molds, the diameter of machine parts, and the thickness of metal sheets.
Micrometers
Micrometers are another vital tool used for making high-precision measurements in quality control. Being more precise than vernier calipers, they can be used for better accuracy in small distances. They consist of a U-shaped frame, a spindle, and an anvil. Easy to use, the spindle is used to measure the distance between the anvil and itself by moving it in and out of the frame. This way, you can make accurate readings.
The use of micrometers cuts across various industries, including manufacturing, machining, and engineering. They are useful for measuring the diameters of tubes and rods, the depth of holes, and the height of steps. The thickness of coatings like paint or plating is also measured using micrometers. Agents from inspection companies use them to ensure that the products are made according to the required specs and standards.
Height Gauges
A list of important quality control devices is incomplete without height gauges. They consist of a base, a vertical column, and a measuring head that can be adjusted up and down for accuracy. Height gauges are used to measure the height of an object and the distance between two surfaces. While products are still under manufacturing, they are used to ensure your suppliers work with the desired standards of height and measurement.
Height gauges tend to be used in various aspects of manufacturing and machining for precision. These involve important quality control devices used to measure the depth of spacious parts, the thickness of sheets of material, and the height of machine parts. In metalworking, they are used to measure the flatness of a surface or the distance between two. By using height gauges, any deviation from the defined height requirements can be easily identified for rectification.
Surface Roughness Testers
During production, surface roughness testers are used to measure texture and roughness. These include the irregularities in the distance between the peaks and valleys of a surface. It is a measurement carried out by quality control inspectors to ensure that products have the desired finish. The testers that are used consist of a stylus that is moved along a material’s surface and a gauge that measures its vertical movement.
Surface roughness testers are important in avoiding overly rough surfaces that can cause premature wear on other parts. They also help to detect smooth ones that can reduce the level of grip.
These testers are widely used in engineering and metalwork as they can determine the desired friction for machined, ground, and polished surfaces. In building vehicles, they are vital to measuring the roughness of engine parts, gears, and bearings.
Infrared Thermometers
Not all objects that require some form of measurement can be touched. To this end, infrared thermometers are vital quality control devices in any production process. They can determine an object’s precise temperature, despite not making physical contact with it. The item is first scanned, then the thermometers calculate the amount of infrared radiation being emitted at the moment of measurement. This is then converted to provide a temperature reading.
Infrared thermometers are widely used across food processing, manufacturing, and automotive industries. This is to ensure adherence to the defined standards of quality. In food processing, infrared thermometers can accurately measure the food’s temperature during processing and packaging to ensure it is safe for the consumer. They also determine the temperature of different machinery, electrical, and engine components in various aspects of machining.
Conclusion
Quality control is a requirement for excellence in different industries. To this end, many devices are used for improved precision when measuring the dimensions of various objects. Ensure you employ the services of a reliable third-party company like EC Global Inspection to guide your suppliers through your industry’s standards. We can provide seasoned agents to professionally handle every aspect of your production process. Our inspectors know how to measure your product quality and the best devices to use for an impressive outcome.
