CHECKPOINT 01
Drawing and DFM
Decision: The drawing revision, material, annual volume and critical characteristics are agreed before quotation.
Evidence: A dated DFM issue list and a quotation built on the confirmed process route.
Quality evidence · Drawing to release
What Balford Measures, Records and Releases
A part is not released because it looks right. It is released when the drawing, process route, tooling, measurements and documents agree — and when the buyer can audit the evidence behind them.
ISO 9001:2015Certified quality management
Level 3Standard PPAP level for new programmes
FAIEvery new part before production release
0.01 mmSelected machined features, drawing-confirmed
What quality evidence does a custom metal parts supplier provide?
At Balford, quality evidence follows one controlled path from drawing to release. Before quotation, engineering reviews the drawing, material and forming route. Before tooling, the approved drawing defines datums, critical characteristics, general tolerance, finish and inspection method. Tooling is designed and built in-house, with slow-wire EDM disclosed as an outsourced operation where used. First-off parts are measured against the confirmed drawing, and first article inspection reports actual values rather than certificates alone. For automotive programmes, a PPAP-aligned package is prepared at the agreed level, normally Level 3 for a new programme. Material certificates are traceable to the heat or coil; IMDS is provided on request; inspection records are retained per lot. A 0.01 mm callout is considered only for selected critical machined features and must be confirmed from the drawing.
Six points where the evidence is created
CHECKPOINT 02
Material and process route
Decision: Grade, temper, surface condition, heat treatment and finishing are fixed before tooling is released.
Evidence: Material certificate traceable to the heat or coil, and a route that names every partner operation.
CHECKPOINT 03
Tooling and tryout
Decision: Die design, station sequence and trial conditions are controlled by the same engineering team.
Evidence: Tooling record, trial samples and measured first-off parts against the approved drawing.
CHECKPOINT 04
First article inspection
Decision: Every new part is measured against the confirmed drawing before production release.
Evidence: FAI report with nominal, tolerance and actual values, plus material and finish records where applicable.
CHECKPOINT 05
PPAP and compliance
Decision: The customer's required submission level and compliance route are set at quotation.
Evidence: PPAP-aligned package at the agreed level, normally Level 3 for a new programme; IMDS on request.
CHECKPOINT 06
Production and shipment
Decision: Inspection follows the agreed control plan rather than a promise to check everything at the end.
Evidence: Records retained per lot, with finish, packing and traceability information available on request.
What the buyer receives
| Document | When | What it establishes |
|---|---|---|
| DFM issue list | Before quotation | Drawing risks, missing information and process changes that affect tooling or price |
| Approved drawing | Before tooling | The controlled revision the part and inspection plan are built against |
| Material certificate | With first article and production | Traceability to the heat or coil, with grade and condition |
| First article inspection | On first-off samples | Nominal, tolerance and actual values against the drawing |
| PPAP-aligned package | At the agreed level | Documents assembled to the customer's required submission |
| IMDS entry | On request | Material data filed where the customer system requires it |
| Lot inspection records | Through production | Results retained per lot and available on request |
| Finish and process records | When applicable | Coating, plating, heat-treatment or other partner-process evidence |
Independent proof: customer CMM reports
Balford publishes three consecutive parts of a deep-drawn magnetic isolation sleeve measured by the customer on a ZEISS Calypso CMM. The reports show fitted diameters, two-point diameters, roundness and coaxiality against the drawing limits. They are the customer's incoming inspection documents, not a Balford marketing report.
This is also a useful boundary: Balford does not claim an in-house CMM. When a programme requires formal CMM verification, the measurement source and route are agreed before quotation.
What this page does not claim
- Balford holds ISO 9001:2015. Process controls are aligned with IATF 16949 requirements; IATF 16949 certification is not claimed.
- ISO 14001 is not claimed.
- No fixed rejection-rate percentage or blanket delivery-performance figure is published.
- A 0.01 mm callout applies only to selected critical machined features and must be confirmed from the drawing.
- Balford does not claim an in-house CMM. Where a programme requires formal CMM reports, a partner laboratory is agreed before quotation.
- Bulk heat treatment, slow-wire EDM, passivation, electropolishing, plating, phosphating, liquid painting and e-coating are partner operations where used. Powder coating is split between the in-house manual booth for large sheet-metal parts and a partner line for small parts.
Quality evidence FAQ
What documents come with a new part?
Every new part starts with first article inspection against the confirmed drawing. For automotive programmes a PPAP-aligned package is prepared at the agreed level, normally Level 3. Material certificates are traceable to the heat or coil, IMDS is filed on request, and lot inspection records are retained.
Is Balford IATF 16949 certified?
No. Balford is certified to ISO 9001:2015 and runs process controls aligned with IATF 16949 requirements. The quotation and PPAP documents state the difference rather than presenting alignment as certification.
How are outsourced processes controlled?
The quotation names the partner operation when it is part of the route. Heat treatment, slow-wire EDM, passivation, electropolishing, plating, phosphating, liquid painting and e-coating are managed with qualified partners; incoming results and process records are checked where the drawing or control plan requires evidence.
Can every dimension be inspected on every lot?
No supplier measures every drawing dimension on every lot. The control plan identifies significant characteristics, method and frequency. First article inspection is the full layout against the drawing; production inspection follows the agreed plan and records are retained per lot.
Can I review the quality evidence before placing an order?
Yes. Drawing requirements, FAI and PPAP documentation, material traceability and the inspection method can be discussed during RFQ. Where a part needs a formal CMM report or third-party test, say so before quotation so the route and cost are included.
Keep checking the source pages
The detailed rules sit on the PPAP and FAI, drawing requirements, in-house tooling, inspection lab, equipment list, IMDS process, quality and certifications and supplier network pages.
To see the evidence applied to representative sensor, solenoid and motor envelopes, open the housing specification and engineering evidence library.
Start with the drawing, not the certificate wall
Send the controlled drawing, material, annual volume and the characteristics that decide fit. The review starts with whether the part can be made as drawn; the documentation follows that route.