Customers count on Axis Fabrication and Machine to deliver components that meet specifications, stay on schedule, and perform as intended. Inspection and quality control are built into every step of the manufacturing process at our fabrication and machine shop. In-process quality checks reduce rework, shorten lead times, and ensure parts are made right the first time.
Here’s how we keep quality at the center of everything we do at Axis Fab.
Quality Our Customers Can Rely On
Our Knoxville machine shop is ISO 9001:2015 certified, and our quality system is supported by a detailed quality manual that defines how parts are inspected, documented, and approved.
We use multiple inspection methods depending on the part and tolerance, including:
- Electronic inspection tools
- CMM inspection for tight tolerances and repeatability
- Detailed measurement of small and complex parts
This layered approach ensures accuracy and consistency across every job.
Checking Parts Early to Prevent Rework and Delays
One of the most important ways we protect quality and your timeline is by checking the first part of every batch. By identifying issues early, we avoid discovering problems at the end of a job and having to backtrack. This leads to more efficient workflows, shorter lead times, and reliable results.
For two of our biggest customers, we’ve created approved samples that have been signed off ahead of production. The first part of each run is brought into our quality room and inspected against that sample before continuing production.
This process:
- Prevents running large quantities of incorrect parts
- Reduces costly rework
- Keeps production schedules on track
This same first-inspection approach is used across our full-service shop, including for laser cutting services and press brake operations.
In-Process Inspections Throughout Production
Inspection at Axis Fab doesn’t stop after the first part.
Parts are checked throughout the manufacturing process, after laser cutting, during forming, and as assemblies move through the shop. With a dedicated Quality Department, inspections are consistent and continuous.
The People Behind Our Quality
Quality is built into the culture at Axis Fab. Our team is invested in inspection and quality control at every level. We look for this mindset during the hiring process and prioritize people who value doing the right thing and supporting their teammates.
This culture fosters collaboration on the shop floor. Team members regularly ask questions, share insights, and seek second opinions to ensure parts meet expectations.
Precision Across All Departments
Inspection and quality control are not limited to one department; they’re built into every operation.
Our experienced craftsmen take pride in their work and routinely check their own parts as they go. Every department is built for precision:
- Sheet metal parts are inspected using certified calipers, with photographic verification when tolerances allow. We can routinely hold tolerances of +/-0.010″, and can achieve tighter tolerances when required.
- Welding inspections include visual checks and detailed tape-measure verification.
Quality Standards That Extend to Our Vendors
Our quality standards extend beyond our walls.
Axis Fab holds vendors to the same expectations we set internally by tracking vendor defects and on-time delivery performance.
If a part goes out for secondary services such as powder coating, it must return to our shop for inspection before shipping. Parts are never sent directly from a coater to the customer without in-house verification.
Documentation That Prevents Repeat Issues
While we pride ourselves on getting parts right the first time, we also focus on ensuring issues are never repeated.
At Axis Fab, our system is set up so that:
- Parts cannot ship until final inspection is completed and signed off
- Jobs cannot be finalized without documented approval
- Non-conformances are logged and tracked
If an issue is identified, a revision change is documented so that the same problem is prevented if the part is quoted again. We are currently working to integrate this tracking directly into our ERP system to streamline processes further.
Continuous improvement is ongoing, and we are always evaluating opportunities to strengthen our inspection and quality control systems.
Investing in the Future of Inspection and Quality Control
As part of our new facility expansion, Axis Fab is investing in upgraded quality equipment and capabilities.
Our new building will include a larger CMM with a 48” x 60” table, allowing us to:
- Measure larger parts with greater accuracy
- Build inspection programs directly from customer models
- Reuse inspection programs for repeat production
We continue to invest in equipment, systems, and people to meet increasing quality demands and support long-term customer success.
Customer Satisfaction Comes First
Customer surveys consistently show that quality is one of Axis Fab’s greatest strengths. Customers don’t question the quality when they work with us, and if something ever does go wrong, they know it will be addressed immediately.
When you need quality assurance you can count on, trust Axis Fab’s proven processes to deliver parts made right the first time.
Request a quote today, and let’s get started on your next project.