What is inspected on every batch
| Characteristic | Method | Recorded as |
|---|---|---|
| Cutting diameter | Micrometer or optical comparator | Measured value |
| Shank diameter and tolerance | Micrometer, h6 | Measured value |
| Runout (TIR) | Dial indicator on a precision arbor | Measured value |
| Geometry angles | Optical comparator or tool grinder setting | Measured value where functional |
| Coating thickness | Supplier process record, or batch sample | Process certificate |
| Hardness of the substrate | Supplier batch certificate | Grade certificate reference |
Why runout is inspected rather than assumed
Runout at the cutting edge is the single characteristic most closely linked to tool life, because a tool running out of true loads one flute harder than the others and fails early with most of its life unused.
Measuring it on an arbor rather than in a collet separates the tool from the holder. That distinction matters when a customer reports short tool life, because the two have different remedies and the measurement is what tells you which one applies.
Documentation supplied
Every shipment carries a packing list and a certificate of conformity referencing your order. Beyond that, the scope is agreed rather than assumed.
- Dimensional inspection record on the critical characteristics agreed at drawing approval
- Material and coating batch certificates where the tool is produced for a regulated application
- First article inspection report for a new OEM geometry
- Serialised records for tools where traceability is required by your quality system
- Inspection records formatted to your own characteristic numbering on request
Complaints and concessions
If a batch does not meet the agreed specification, it does not ship. Where a deviation is found after delivery, we respond with the measured values, the cause and the proposed remedy, and the remedy is replacement or credit agreed within a short timescale.
Where a customer chooses to accept a non-conforming batch under concession, the deviation and the acceptance are recorded against the batch so the decision is traceable rather than informal.
Frequently asked questions
What documentation ships with a cutting tool order?
A packing list and a certificate of conformity referencing your order. Dimensional inspection records on the agreed critical characteristics are available on request, and for OEM programmes the scope is fixed at drawing approval.
Do you measure runout on every tool or on a sample?
Runout is measured as part of the batch inspection on the agreed sample size, and on every tool for precision grades where it is a specified characteristic. Tell us if you need 100 percent runout inspection and we will quote it as a separate operation.
Can you provide first article inspection reports?
Yes, for new geometries and new OEM programmes. It is quoted as a separate operation because it is a full dimensional layout rather than a by-product of production.
What happens if tools are found out of specification?
We report the measured values, identify the likely cause and propose a remedy, which is normally replacement or credit. What we do not do is wait for the problem to be discovered at your machine before acknowledging it.
Do you hold ISO 9001 certification?
Ask us for the current position in writing and we will give you an accurate answer including the scope. We would rather lose an order than misrepresent our quality system.