Ensuring Consistency and Optimal Performance of
the Production Processes and the Finished Product
.
Quality at Xten is not simply a department name or a desired state of product.
Quality is a belief system driving all we do.
Every phase of every process is infused with the requirements of quality. Every Multifacturing element is planned and designed to ensure consistency and optimal performance of the production process and the finished product.
Maintaining Xten Quality means having the right people… doing the right things…at the right times
The Xten Quality System in ISO-9001:2008 (Kenosha, WI) certified and TS 16949 CERTIFIED (Lockport, IL) and schedules regular internal audits ensure ongoing compliance and continual improvement.
From your initial contact with Sales or Engineering and throughout the life of your products, the our team works to ensure your requirements are fully understood and met each and every time.
Key elements in quality planning for any given product include:
- Early involvement by key personnel to review critical product characteristics and develop a comprehensive plan for ensuring they have all been met prior to the start of production.
- Development of appropriate manufacturing inspection and detection methods, including any specific testing procedures that may be needed to ensure product functionality.
- Collaboration with customer representatives to identify and agree upon clear acceptance criteria, which is then identified and documented in a detailed product Quality Plan.
- Training of Production Operators to ensure required consistency in manufacturing and assembly of products including packaging and labeling of cartons.
- Verification and validation of regulatory requirements as needed. Xten currently provides products to customers that must comply with FDA and NSF regulations.
Our Job Doesn’t End Once the Product is Launched and Running
Xten uses a team-based problem-solving method to formally investigate and resolve any production issues, with the emphasis on preventing recurrence. Production personnel ensure products are processed in accordance with the Quality Plan every time they run. If a problem does occur, Floor Leaders are trained to control and contain any nonconforming product until the root cause of the issue can be identified and eliminated.
Other safeguards built into the production process include:
- Periodic product inspections, measurements or tests by Floor Leaders throughout each production shift to ensure compliance to customer requirements.
- Random audits by technical personnel to ensure critical manufacturing and/or assembly processes are being executed in efficient and effective ways.
- Random post-production inspections by Quality personnel after final audit and prior to shipment to ensure the effectiveness of the Quality Plan.
- Regular verification by shipping personnel of the accuracy and timeliness of order fulfillment.
- Product Inception
- Design Feasibility Review
- DFM (design for manufacturability)
- Project Commitment
- APQP (advanced product quality planning)
- FMEA (failure mode and effects analysis)
- Gauge R&R (repeatability and reproduceability)
- Process Capability
- STP (standard testing procedure) development
- SOP (standard operating procedure) development
- PPAP submission
- Process validation
- Production starts
Some of the many testing procedures we offer Moisture Analysis
- Melt Flow Index (ASTM D1238)
- Specific Gravity (ASTM D792)
- Gardner Impact Testing
Simply stated:
Xten defines “quality” as our commitment to deliver what our customer expects, how and when it’s expected. The commitment to achieve that objective exists at every level of Xten, and is the core element of our business philosophy.
