Part Buyers Authority Issue #2

7 Click here to SUBSCRIBE o r CONTRIBUTE a s an author. quality certifications, design and engineering expertise for production and prototypes, defect rates, capabilities, continuous improvement initiatives, and quality measurements. While many aluminum casters will say they make parts for the automotive industry, when you look deeper you will find much of their expertise is lacking or in other industries, and that aluminum may be just a side market. In the automotive industry, quality is of the utmost importance. There is no room for aluminum castings that don’t meet the very highest quality standards – therefore you don’t want a foundry that isn’t qualified, certified, and capable. You need a dedicated facility and tenured staff to ensure part quality for the automotive industry. An aluminum foundry serving the automotive industry will be entrenched in the following certifications, technologies, Additive Manufacturing, and services. ITAF Certification IATF 16949:2016 certification is important as it is the automotive industry’s most widely used international standard for quality management. This technical specification by the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) for automotive sector quality management systems has become the most widely used international standard in the automotive industry, harmonizing the different assessment and certification systems in the global automotive supply chain. Achieving this level of certification ensures that the parts produced are of the highest quality parts from a manufacturer dedicated to defect prevention, and reduction of variation and waste in the automotive industry supply chain. Technology Complex parts require a different level of accountability. They require automated systems to ensure repeatability that guarantee a high quality part. Foundries entrenched in today’s technologies have their processes verified from design to production. Types of PLC-based automated process controls to look for: • Sand System Accurate repeatability requires a system for screening, aeration, & additions testing. • Sand Production Mold Conformity requires continuous sand testing. • Knockout Exact Consistency requires specific pressure & timing controls. • Cutting Precision cutting with 5-axis CNC saws & trim cells. • Blast Great finishes come from better shot blast equipment. Continued on page 8