What is the need for a Quality Control Department in an incinerator manufacturing company? Is it required at all? Will they be able to control and ensure a good quality product?

These and many more questions can be asked on this subject because many incinerator manufacturing companies globally fight shy of having a QC dept. This is because it can delay production, reject materials, insist on tests being carried out before production is taken up, etc. These are detrimental to fast production and deliveries to end users.

These points may be true, but what happens if the machine produced without control fails at the customer end? This will automatically result in spreading of the word that the product is unreliable. Which means - this will have a direct effect on the sales of the company.

Actually many of the statements above need not be true, if one understands the role of the QC dept. and these are:

•             Preparation of Testing & Inspection Plan.

•             A quality engineer is a watchdog on the quality of all incoming and outgoing materials. He ensures no compromise on the quality of incoming raw materials and bought out items.

•             He checks the in-process activity based on customer specifications and design/shop drawings.

•             He decides on the `hold` points for production, to prevent mistakes and rework.

•             He carries out all necessary tests on the raw materials and confirms that these conform to specs.

•             He makes sure the test reports for bought out items are genuine and assures quality.

•             He makes sure the welders are qualified to do the jobs required of them.

•             He ensures the painting and preparation processes are followed strictly.

•             He ensures refractory lining is as per spec. and requirement.

•             Any non-conformance is immediately brought to the notice of the concerned and action taken.

•             Internal tests on semi-finished products such as hydraulic, pneumatic, DP, etc. are carried out simultaneously.

•             Carrying out Mechanical Run tests in supplier premises.

•             Carrying out pre-FAT (internal) and FAT in front of customer and their inspectors.

•             The QC dept ensures in conjunction with HSE dept, at all times, safety of the employees is observed and environmental concerns addressed.