Production Monitoring
Production monitoring means sampling products at several stages of manufacturing to check and remove defects, then having them reworked to your requirements. It suits cases where the supplier failed the initial production check.
Also called
- Production supervision
- On-site quality control
- Resident inspector
- Daily production inspection
When quality matters
Wondering how to stay cost-effective when production keeps going wrong? Monitoring your production is the best tool for that.
The inspector picks products at the different stages of production to check them and sort out defects, which the factory reworks to fit your requirements.
LPI’s advice
If your supplier failed its initial production inspection, you want to make sure the defects will not end up in the final production. This service lets you check:
- Workmanship
- Cosmetic defects and dimensions
- Function tests, barcodes and shipping marks
- Any other point you specify
Production Monitoring: at a glance
- When
- Every day, for all or part of the production run
- Where
- At each stage: incoming materials, line, end of line, packing
- Defective pieces
- Set aside and reworked to your requirements
- Report
- Daily
- Price
- Per day on site, from US$268
What does it cost?
from US$ 268
per inspector-day, excluding tax
Inspections are charged per inspector-day, with travel in Asia and the illustrated report included. The number of days depends on quantity, AQL level, number of models and on-site tests: it is fixed in the quotation, before anything is booked.
See prices and termsHow production monitoring works
- Control planBefore the start, we agree with you the critical points, the checks at each stage and the defect levels that trigger an alert.
- Incoming materialsMaterials and components are checked before they go to the line.
- In-line checksThe inspector samples pieces at each stage of production through the day, not only at the end.
- Sorting and reworkDefective pieces are set aside and reworked by the factory; the inspector checks them again.
- Daily reportQuantities produced, defect rates, actions taken and open issues, every day.
- Hand-overAt the end of the run, the lot goes to the pre-shipment inspection.
What the factory must accept
- An inspector on site every production day
- Access to every stage of production
- A space to set aside and rework defective pieces
- A daily review of findings with the production manager
What production monitoring does not replace
- The final verdict on the lot: the pre-shipment inspection still judges it under AQL.
- Laboratory testing for chemical and safety compliance: see lab testing.
- A capable supplier: if the same defects keep coming back, a technical audit looks at the root causes in the quality system.
The six inspections compared
Each inspection answers a different question at a different moment of the order. Most importers start with the pre-shipment inspection, then add earlier checks for new products, new suppliers or large orders.
| Inspection | When | The question it answers | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Article Inspection | Before mass production, on the first pieces from the series tooling | Do the first pieces match the drawings and the approved sample? | New product, new mould or tooling, new material |
| Initial Production Check | 1 to 20% of the goods produced | Are the materials right, and has the factory understood the requirements? | First order, new supplier |
| During Production Inspection | About 15 to 20% of the goods produced | Is the run staying compliant, and will the shipping date hold? | Large quantities, tight schedules |
| Production Monitoring | Every day, at each stage of production | Are defects removed and reworked as soon as they appear? | Supplier that failed an early check, critical orders |
| Final Random Inspection | Production finished, goods packed | Does the finished lot meet the agreed AQL: ship, rework or sort? | Every order, before the balance payment |
| Container Loading Supervision | Loading day, goods packed and ready to leave | Are the right goods, in the right quantity, loaded safely? | Mixed or fragile loads, several suppliers |
Frequently asked questions
When should I choose production monitoring?
When your supplier failed the initial production check and you want to be sure the defects will not end up in the final production.
What does the inspector check during monitoring?
Finishing, cosmetic defects, dimensions, functional tests, barcodes and shipping marks, plus any other points you request.
What happens to defective products?
They are set aside and reworked by the factory to your requirements. The final check remains the pre-shipment inspection, which confirms the quality of the finished lot.
I need an inspection
Fill in the form and we will get back to you within one working day.
- Minimum notice: 48 hours
- Full illustrated report within 24 hours
- English, French, Chinese, Spanish and Italian spoken