Quality Assurance

Quality Inspection

What Quality Inspection at W&K Delivers

W&K Precision Engineers provides quality inspection and dimensional verification services at our Driffield facility. Using calibrated instruments and CMM inspection, we verify component dimensions against drawing tolerances and produce documented evidence of conformance. Inspection services support our own machined components and external components requiring independent dimensional checking or first-article inspection.

CMM inspection and dimensional measurement on site
First-article inspection (FAI) reports to customer requirements
Dimensional verification against drawing tolerances and GD&T
Material traceability and mill certificate provision
Surface finish measurement and Ra verification
Batch sampling and statistical measurement on request
In-process inspection during machining operations
Full documentation and reports for regulated sectors

W&K Precision's inspection team checks components at key stages during machining and again at final release. Dimensional reports, material certificates and inspection records are available for applications in oil and gas, food processing and other sectors where documented conformance is a contractual requirement.

CMM inspection of a precision machined component

Dimensional Inspection at W&K's Driffield Facility

Dimensional inspection at W&K Precision is carried out using calibrated instruments including micrometers, verniers, bore gauges, height gauges and CMM equipment. Critical dimensions are measured against the tolerances shown on the customer's drawing and any non-conforming features are identified before the component is released. In-process inspection during machining catches errors early, reducing the cost and delay of discovering out-of-tolerance features at final check.

For clients requiring formal documentation, first-article inspection reports and batch measurement records are generated and provided alongside the components. Material traceability documentation, including mill certificates confirming material grade and heat, is available on request. W&K Precision's inspection records are retained and can be reissued if required. Industries with formal quality system requirements, including oil and gas, food processing and automotive supply, routinely specify this level of documented inspection.

W&K Precision Quality Assurance workshop facility

Inspection for Oil, Gas and Safety-Critical Applications

Safety-critical components in oil and gas, subsea and pipeline applications require documented dimensional conformance and material compliance records. First-article inspection reports, material certificates and traceability documentation all form part of the quality package in regulated sectors. W&K Precision produces the required documentation alongside machined components, removing the need for separate inspection from a third party.

W&K Precision Quality Assurance sector applications

Material Traceability and Mill Certificate Provision

Full material traceability from raw material stockholder through to finished component is available on request. Mill certificates confirming material grade, heat number, chemical composition and mechanical test results provide the documentation needed for applications where material provenance must be evidenced. W&K Precision holds copies of material certificates for all materials used and can provide these alongside inspection reports for regulated industry applications.

W&K Precision Quality Assurance small batch prototype

W&K Precision's Quality Inspection Standards

CMM and Calibrated Instrument Inspection

Coordinate measuring machine inspection provides three-dimensional verification of component features including position, concentricity, angularity and profile. Combined with conventional calibrated instruments for linear dimensions, surface finish and bore gauging, W&K Precision's inspection capability covers most dimensional requirements encountered in general precision engineering and light manufacturing.

Documented First-Article and Batch Inspection

First-article inspection reports and batch measurement records are generated in a format that satisfies most incoming inspection and supplier quality requirements. Reports show the nominal dimension, tolerance, measured value and pass/fail status for each feature. These documents form part of the delivery package when formal inspection records are required.

Inspection Supporting All Eight Service Areas

In-house inspection backs every service offered at W&K Precision, from CNC turning and milling to surface grinding and fabrication. Machinists and inspectors work closely together to check dimensions during and after production, keeping quality control close to the manufacturing process where it is most effective.

CMM inspection at W&K Precision quality assurance

Frequently Asked Questions

Dimensional inspection using calibrated measuring instruments including micrometers, verniers, height gauges, bore gauges and CMM equipment is available. Surface finish measurement using Ra instruments is carried out where finish is specified. Material verification against supplied certificates is performed as part of the traceability process. First-article inspection and batch sampling inspection are both offered. For specialised inspection methods such as non-destructive testing or hardness testing, the specific requirement should be discussed at the enquiry stage.

A first-article inspection (FAI) report is a documented measurement record of the first component or a representative sample from a batch, verifying that all specified dimensions and tolerances have been achieved. Each feature from the drawing is listed with its nominal dimension, permitted tolerance, measured value and a pass or fail status. FAI reports are commonly required by customers in regulated industries as evidence that the manufacturing process is producing conforming components before the full batch is accepted.

External components supplied by the customer for incoming inspection can be measured against a drawing and a dimensional report produced. This is useful where a customer receives parts from another supplier and needs an independent dimensional check before installation or further processing. The drawing with all tolerances specified should be supplied alongside the components. A report is generated covering the specified features, and any out-of-tolerance conditions are noted so the customer can make an informed decision on acceptance or rejection.

Material traceability is the ability to link a finished component back to the original raw material from which it was made, including the material's grade, batch or heat number, and any associated test certificates. Traceability is important in safety-critical and regulated applications because it provides documented assurance that the correct material was used. If a quality concern arises after a component is in service, traceable documentation allows the root cause to be investigated more effectively.

Mill certificates from the raw material supplier confirming grade, heat number, chemical composition and, where applicable, mechanical test results are available on request. These certificates are provided by the material stockholder and retained by W&K Precision at the point of purchase. They can be supplied alongside the finished components or inspection report as part of a complete quality package. Customers should specify traceability requirements at the enquiry stage so the correct documentation is captured from the outset.

Inspection records and material certificates generated at the time of production are retained and can be reissued if requested after delivery. It is more straightforward to specify documentation requirements before an order is placed, as this ensures the records are captured in the agreed format from the start. Retrospective inspection of despatched components is possible in some cases, provided the components are available for re-measurement, but specifying documentation requirements at the outset is always preferable.

Oil and gas is the most common sector requiring formal dimensional reports, material certificates and traceability records. Automotive supply chains operating under IATF 16949 also require structured inspection documentation. Food processing and pharmaceutical manufacturing may specify hygienic grade materials and surface finish records. Defence and aerospace supply chains typically require the most comprehensive documentation, including approved supplier status and detailed first-article inspection. Even outside these sectors, customers increasingly request some form of incoming quality documentation.

Non-conforming components identified during in-process or final inspection are quarantined and clearly marked to prevent accidental release. The nature of the non-conformance is assessed to determine whether the component can be reworked to bring it within tolerance or must be scrapped. In either case, the customer is notified before any action is taken that might affect the original order. Where rework is possible and approved, re-inspection is carried out after the rework operation to confirm conformance.

Request Quality Inspection and Documentation

Contact W&K Precision Engineers in Driffield to discuss your inspection requirements. Whether you need CMM reports, material traceability documentation or first-article inspection for a regulated supply chain, call 01377 271041 or email wk.wkprecision@gmail.com.