Quality Process & Manufacturing Control Procedure

Red Oak Fabrication Quality Philosophy

Quality is built into the manufacturing process rather than inspected into the product at the end.

At Red Oak Fabrication, every department has ownership of quality. Our goal is to identify potential problems before they move to the next manufacturing operation, reducing rework, preventing defects from reaching the customer and delivering a consistent finished product.

Quality Commitment

Red Oak Fabrication's commitment is simple:
Build it right.
Inspect it throughout the process.
Deliver it right.

By controlling quality at every stage of manufacturing, Red Oak Fabrication provides customers with a reliable, repeatable and complete manufacturing solution. From engineering and raw material to finished, powder-coated product.

Our Manufacturing Quality Flow

Our quality process begins before material is ever cut. Every project is reviewed through multiple stages of production to identify potential issues early, maintain dimensional accuracy, verify workmanship and ensure the finished product meets the customer's specifications.
CAD model and part drawing on an engineer's screens during a design for manufacturability review

1. Engineering

Before releasing a job to the floor, Red Oak Fabrication reviews available engineering documents, CAD files, drawings and customer specifications.

Review includes:
  • Customer drawings and specifications
  • CAD models and files
  • Part dimensions
  • Material specifications
  • Material thickness
  • Bend requirements
  • Weld requirements
  • Tolerances
  • Hole locations and sizes
  • Critical dimensions
  • Surface finish requirements
  • Powder coating requirements
  • Assembly requirements
  • Revision level
  • Customer-specific quality requirements

2. Material Verification

Before material enters production, the material should be verified against the job requirements.

Verification includes:
  • Material type
  • Material thickness
  • Material size
  • Heat/lot information when required
  • Material condition
  • Customer-specific material requirements

Material should be identified and traceable to the appropriate job whenever required by the customer or project.

3. Laser & Plasma Cutting

Before cutting production quantities, the operator verifies the correct program, material and job information.

Cutting Process Checks:
  • Correct part program
  • Correct material
  • Correct material thickness
  • Correct quantity
  • Correct revision
  • Part dimensions
  • Hole sizes and locations
  • Cut quality
  • Edge condition
  • Part identification when required

Operators inspect the first acceptable part before proceeding with the production run.

4. CNC Bending & Forming

CNC bending and dimensional inspection. The first completed formed part should be checked against the drawing before proceeding with the production quantity.

Checks may include:
  • Overall dimensions
  • Flange dimensions
  • Bend angles
  • Hole locations
  • Part orientation
  • Visual condition
  • Critical tolerances

5. Welding & Fabrication

Welding, assembly, dimensional and workmanship inspection.

Before welding begins, fabrication personnel verify:
  • Correct components
  • Correct drawing/revision
  • Proper orientation
  • Required dimensions
  • Weld locations
  • Weld size/type
  • Assembly sequence
  • Required fixtures or jigs
Welding Quality Checks

Fabricated assemblies are inspected for:

  • Proper fit-up
  • Overall dimensions
  • Squareness
  • Alignment
  • Weld placement
  • Weld size
  • Weld appearance
  • Excessive spatter
  • Undercut or other visible weld defects
  • Distortion

6. Pre-Finish Inspection & Surface Preparation

Ensuring the fabricated product is properly prepared for powder coating.

Before finishing, parts are inspected for:
  • Weld quality
  • Sharp edges
  • Excessive weld spatter
  • Grinding requirements
  • Surface contamination
  • Oil or grease
  • Foreign material
  • Proper masking requirements
  • Drain/vent holes where applicable
  • Areas requiring special coating consideration

Parts are prepared using the appropriate surface preparation process.

For products requiring abrasive blasting, the part is blasted to remove contaminants and provide the appropriate surface condition for coating.

7. Powder Coating

Controlled application, curing and finish inspection.

Before coating, powder coating personnel verify:
  • Correct job
  • Correct color
  • Correct powder
  • Correct coating requirements
  • Required masking
  • Proper hanging/racking
  • Surface preparation
  • Cure requirements
Powder Application

The powder coating process is controlled to provide consistent coverage and proper adhesion. Attention is given to:

  • Coating coverage
  • Film thickness when specified
  • Edge coverage
  • Recesses and difficult-to-reach areas
  • Color consistency
  • Surface appearance
Curing

Parts are cured according to the requirements of the powder coating material and the established process parameters.

When required, cure parameters are monitored and documented.

8. Final Inspection

Verify that the completed product meets the customer’s requirements before shipment.

Final inspection may include:
  • Overall dimensions
  • Critical dimensions
  • Weld quality
  • Assembly condition
  • Powder coat finish
  • Color
  • Hardware
  • Required components
  • Quantity
  • Identification/labels
  • Packaging requirements
  • Customer-specific requirements

The final inspector or production employee responsible confirms that the product is complete and acceptable for shipment.

9. Shipment

Package and ship a finished product that meets the customer’s requirements.

Quality Documentation

Red Oak Fabrication maintains appropriate documentation based on customer and project requirements.
Documentation may include:
  • Approved engineering drawings
  • CAD files
  • Job travelers
  • Material certifications
  • Inspection records
  • Weld documentation
  • Powder coating specifications
  • Final inspection records
  • Customer approvals
  • Nonconformance records
  • Corrective action documentation

Records are maintained in accordance with Red Oak Fabrication’s document-control practices.

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