Inspection and Packaging
Quality monitoring
Dimensional inspection
In order to guaranty the quality of its parts, Techné has established procedures adapted to meet customer's requirements and specific elastomer characteristics.
Prototypes inspection
At Techné, rubber parts inspection is done with the appropriate tools.
Non-contact optical measurement
Rubber parts are soft and deformable. Therefore dimensional measurements are done with a programmable three-dimensional optical tool. It offers an accuracy of 1 to 2.5 microns depending on the measurements following a fixed protocol. This tool can also be equipped with a 3D contact probe for parts with rigid case (metal, plastic, graphite, etc.) bonded or over moulded.
Customer mounting
A mounting test can be done by Techné if the final assembly is provided. And in some cases a sealing test can be done. A measurement of the seal once mounted in the assembly can also be done. For example: box seals.
Hardness tester
At Techné, hardness is measured in IRHD (microhardness) on finished parts according to the ISO 48 by taking the median value of three successive measurements. However, on reference plates and buttons, hardness is measured in Shore A.
Mass production inspection
To ensure measurement repeatability on prototype parts and serial parts, the same inspection tools are used:
- Non-contact optical dimensional measurement
- Hardness inspection
- Material inspection
These inspections are done on 5 samples from each manufactured batch. Other inspections can be done. Such as capability controls, or 100% inspections on critical dimensions.
Specific scanning inspection
Techné is equipped with a 2 dimentional optic scanner with enables our inspection department to provide high definition comparisons between the finished parts and the theoretical profile (drawing).
This scanning makes it possible to inspect the shape of part instead of only a few dimensions.
This inspection method is more appropriate to deformable parts.
Inspection
Visual inspection
Techné does a visual inspection according to AQL 1.0 level II as standard. This method, widely used in the industry, is applied to a sample of parts selected at random once they are manufactured and packed.
100% visual inspection
If asked for, Techné can perform a 100% visual inspection. This inspection concerns all visual defects: burrs, inclusions, geometrical deviations such as roundness irregularities, material lacks, etc.
Inspection by automatic sorting machine
Techné parforms on customer demand a 100% sorting on revolution parts, often for automotive applications with ppm quality levels commitments.
Feasible for parts with a:
- Minimum outside diameter of 5mm
- Maximum outside diameter of 55mm
- Minimum height of 1mm
- Maximum height of 8mm
Packaging
Standard packaging
Techné parts are packed in opaque antiUV and antistatic bags as standard. The parts are therefore protected from premature aging. A quantity inspection is made during packaging (total weight divided by the weight of one part). Techné uses standardised packaging:
- GALIA standard boxes
- Box weight <25kg
- Standard pallets (eg: dimensions 600x800, 800x1200, etc.) with easy operable heights and compatible with standard inventory racks.
Clean room packaging
For applications requiring very clean parts:
- Medical applications
- Very small diameter valves
- Automotive applications
- Pneumatic aplications, etc.
In theses cases Techné uses a double bagging.
Specific packaging
On customer demand and to avoid parts deformation, Techné offers specific packages. Examples:
- Bages filled with air
- Spacers adapted
- Parts grouped together and embedded in protective paper, then placed in opaque bages
- Thin PVC or PET thermoformed gauges.
Cleaning
To meet strict cleanliness requirements - Often in electonics and food processing - Techné offers high quality adapted washes. => See T-surf treatment.