Quality documentation
The documents you can receive with an order, what each one actually proves, and how to ask for it so the first reply carries the right paperwork instead of a question.
The quality plan
Six stages from drawing to dispatch. Each one produces a record if you asked for it in the RFQ.
- Drawing review — revision, material, tolerances, machining, finish and acceptance criteria agreed before quotation.
- Incoming material — alloy, temper and any requested certificate identified and retained against the order.
- Dimensional control — extrusion and machined features measured against the approved drawing, focused on the datums that matter for assembly and sealing.
- Surface and appearance — colour, gloss, texture, exposed faces and permissible marks defined against the approved sample before production.
- Documentation — first-article, dimensional and material records compiled to whatever the RFQ asked for.
- Packing — surface protection and separation specified, with handling controlled so cosmetic faces arrive intact.
Documents available
Material certificate
- What it proves
- Chemical composition and mechanical properties of the billet the profile was extruded from, traceable to the heat number.
- Who issues it
- Issued by the extruder against the mill certificate for the billet.
- How to ask
- Ask for "mill certificate" or "EN 10204 3.1" in the RFQ. State the standard you need it to reference.
Dimensional inspection report
- What it proves
- Measured values for the dimensions marked on your drawing, against the tolerances you specified.
- Who issues it
- Issued by our inspection against the approved drawing revision.
- How to ask
- Mark which dimensions are critical. A report on every dimension costs more and tells you less.
First article inspection (FAI)
- What it proves
- A full dimensional and visual report on the first production part, signed off before the run continues.
- Who issues it
- Issued by our inspection and held against the production order.
- How to ask
- Request it in the RFQ for any new tooling or a new revision. It is far cheaper than rejecting a batch.
Finish record
- What it proves
- Coating type, measured thickness and colour reference for anodised, powder coated or e-coated parts.
- Who issues it
- Issued by the finishing line.
- How to ask
- Specify the standard (ISO 7599, Qualicoat, AAMA) — without it, "anodised" is not inspectable.
Approved sample
- What it proves
- A physical part held as the reference for colour, gloss, texture and permissible marks on all later deliveries.
- Who issues it
- Signed by both parties and retained by each.
- How to ask
- Request it before the first production run on any cosmetic part. This is what resolves most appearance disputes.
Packing specification and photographs
- What it proves
- How the parts were protected, separated and crated, with photographs before the container is closed.
- Who issues it
- Issued by the packing line.
- How to ask
- Ask for it where the parts have a cosmetic face. Packaging marks are the most common transit complaint.
On certifications
We have deliberately not put ISO 9001, IATF 16949 or ISO 14001 badges on this page. A certificate is a factual claim, and a badge on a website is not evidence of one.
If your purchasing or quality process requires a specific certification, tell us which one in the RFQ. We will confirm exactly what we hold and supply the certificate rather than a graphic.
Tell us what paperwork you need
Name the standard and the document in the RFQ and it will be included in the quotation — not left as an open question after the order.