Employee checks products in the manufacturing process

Quality Management in the Metal Industry

Without metals and those who process them, modern industry would be unthinkable – from the steel industry to foundries, aluminium processing companies and a wide variety of metalworking methods (such as turning or machining processes). The work on heavy machinery, the hazardous working conditions in the industry and the demand for precision and durability of the products require it: sophisticated quality management.

References From the Metal Industry

QM Solutions for the Metal Industry

CAD Integration

Screenshot: CAD Integration in BabtecQ

With CAD integration in BabtecQ, you can easily provide the CAD drawings of your machines and systems for quality management processes.

CAD drawings provide detailed technical information about products and serve as a reference for expected product features. Their integration into quality processes enables accurate planning of manufacturing processes and material requirements to ensure product quality and efficiency.

CAD integration in the BabtecQ QM software enables you to integrate existing CAD drawings into your quality processes.

Initial Sampling / PPAP / PPF

Screenshot: Initial sample inspection with grouping

You can manage and document your initial samples in BabtecQ in a centralized and clearly structured location.

With initial sampling, you ensure that the first parts produced fulfil the required quality and specifications. If you identify failures during this process, you can rectify them before mass production begins. Initial sampling therefore minimises the likelihood of production interruptions and expensive rework.

Ensure that you only produce goods when they meet the required quality standards – initial sampling in BabtecQ supports you in this.

In-Production Inspection / SPC

Screenshot: Evaluations in the production inspection

In BabtecQ you can simulate inspection sequences to avoid subsequent corrections.

Production inspections offer great added value in the metal industry: potential defects can be recognized at an early stage and rectified immediately. This reduces the likelihood of rejects and expensive rework. The data can also be analyzed and used to identify optimization potential in the manufacturing processes.

With the in-production inspection in the BabtecQ QM software, you can monitor product quality and control production processes using batch inspections, defect collection cards or statistical process control (SPC).

Complaints Management

Screenshot: Creation of an 8D report

Complaints management in BabtecQ makes it easier for you to consistently evaluate complaints.

Complaints management has a positive influence on many factors: product quality, customer loyalty, risk management and increased efficiency. By learning from complaints, processes can be optimized and the probability of repeated failures reduced.

The BabtecQ QM software supports you with complaints management to minimize financial losses due to recalls.

Incoming Goods Inspection / Outgoing Goods Inspection

Screenshot: Pivot evaluation

With BabtecQ, you can create clearly structured, efficient test sequences and support the correct execution of the inspection with visual assistance.

Incoming goods inspections enable the evaluation of supplier quality. Outgoing goods inspections ensure that products meet the requirements before dispatch. They are key components of successful quality management to ensure consistent and high-quality production.

However, inspections usually involve a lot of effort. BabtecQ supports you with your incoming goods inspection / outgoing goods inspection and enables you to carry out the inspections efficiently.

New Q Strategy Develops Top Suppliers

Produkt Heinrichs GmbH & Co. KG

If you want to remain an A-supplier, you also have to rely on the quality of your sub-suppliers. This is why Heinrichs GmbH & Co. KG, a metal manufacturer for over 100 years, analyzed and revised the process organization of its supplier management from the ground up. With the help of Babtec's software, complaints were reduced by 30 percent and C-suppliers to zero. 

Employee performs welding work in the production hall

From Rough Edges to Gleaming Perfection – Writing Success Stories with QM Software from Babtec.

Consistent material quality, precise manufacturing processes and accurate fitting of metal components – no easy task. But by using Babtec's QM software, you can digitalize all the necessary quality processes and achieve a new level of efficiency!

From Flying Sparks to Precision: The Relevance of Quality Management

A Contribution to the Success Story – QM

  • Material quality and consistency: In metal processing, the quality of the material used is of crucial importance. Quality management ensures that the metals used meet the required specifications to ensure consistent material quality and performance.
  • Precise manufacturing and dimensional accuracy: Metal processing requires precise machining and manufacturing processes. Quality management ensures that these procedures are strictly followed to ensure the dimensional accuracy and fit of metal components and products.
  • Workplace safety: The industry often involves heavy machinery and hazardous working conditions. Quality management also includes safety protocols and measures to ensure that workplace accidents are minimized and workers are protected.
  • Reliability and durability: Metal products are often used in applications that require high reliability and durability. Quality management ensures that products can withstand the strain and function reliably over their entire service life.
  • Resource efficiency and environmental compatibility: Quality management in the metal industry also includes the optimization of manufacturing processes in order to use resources such as energy and materials efficiently. This contributes to sustainability and minimizes the industry's ecological footprint.

Guidelines & Standards

In the metal industry, not only must the components comply with the specifications to the millimeter, but the safety of employees must also be guaranteed in the production process. Accordingly, guidelines from the areas of quality management as well as environmental protection and occupational safety play an important role. Examples of this are

  • ISO 9001 for an effective quality management system
  • ISO 14001 for an environmental management system that promotes environmentally conscious behavior and the introduction of more sustainable practices
  • ISO 45001 with requirements for an occupational health and safety management system
  • ISO 50001 related to energy management systems to optimize energy consumption and increase energy efficiency
  • ISO 17025 with requirements for the competence of inspection and calibration laboratories. In the metal industry, where inspection of materials and components is common, compliance with this standard is of great importance.
  • ISO 3834 with requirements for quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials
  • EN 1090 related to the design of steel structures and aluminum structures
  • ASTM International Standards with a wide range of standards for materials, inspection methods and other relevant aspects of the metal industry
Portrait of Thomas Theil
Babtec's product developments fit in perfectly with the requirements that we will have to face in the coming years. The new “Process Management” module is an ideal bracket for us to visualize all company processes. Usability and cross-module functionality are convincing.

Thomas Theil, iwis SE & Co. KG

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