Quality Assurance System
Our Quality Assurance Department is not just located in our Heaquarters but also in each major site, and we endeavor to maintain and improve the quality of products we deliver to customers in collaboration with our sales division. At the launch of a new project, we select an appropriate retailer and determine quality control factors after carefully assessing the important points of quality control for the product and confirming the manufacturing process and management system through on-site inspection. We also verify the quality of new products and defective products using testing equipment such as 3D coordinate measuring machines and the latest image dimension measuring systems. Furthermore, we are working to standardize quality control levels and improve product quality and stability by implementing ISO9001 application management and internal training programs.
Quality Assurance System Framework
Quality Control Guidelines
The philosophy of TECHNO ASSOCIA's quality control is articulated in the Quality Control Guidelines. Intended as a quality improvement manual for the company and its suppliers, this booklet describes concrete mechanisms, implementation methods, and guidelines of quality assurance.
Collaboration with Suppliers, Quality Conference
On November 1, 2023, we held a quality conference with the participation of our suppliers at Osaka International Convention Center.
We provided explanations of our quality assurance initiatives and presented awards to outstanding quality posters and slogans submitted by our suppliers.
Testing and Analysis（Owned testing machine）
Our customers address challenges such as the improvement of the functionality of products, the realization of excellent designs and the assurance of product safety including environmental safety every day. To achieve this, the products that we supply to them—which constitute the material of customers' products—must exhibit ever-higher precision. That's why our Quality Control Department conducts tests, measurements, and other assessments of products to ensure that they meet our customers' requirements.
Physical analysis and testing devices
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No01
3D coordinate measuring machine
Having independent scales along the X-, Y-, and Z-axes, the machine can obtain X-, Y-, and Z-coordinate values in space. Unlike calipers and micrometers, not only can dimensional measurements be taken but also shapes of things (geometric properties) can be assessed.
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No02
Roundness measuring machine
Having a rotating mechanism, the machine measures changes in the circumferential direction or axial direction of a measuring object with the contact-type detector. Geometric properties of a circle or cylinder can be obtained.
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No03
Contour shape measuring machine
By tracing the surface of a measuring object with the probe, the measuring machine records its contour on the PC as it is enlarged. Recording the contour enables dimensional measurements.
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No04
Screw tightening measuring machine
The machine measures various forces related to screw tightening. (It is mainly used for nuts and bolts compliant with the JIS B 1084 standard. * A torque analyzer is used for tapping screws.) 1) tightening torque 2) axial tightening force 3) thread torque 4) tightening rotation angle 5) bolt elongation
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No05
Surface roughness measuring machine
By tracing the surface of a measuring object with the probe, the machine measures the degree of projection and depression. According to the degree of projection and depression, parameter values (Ra, Ry, Rz, etc.) can be measured.
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No06
Automatic microhardness testing system
The system measures material hardness. The inspection surface is given a small indentation to calculate hardness, where the press force to give the indentation is small (microforce, approx. 5gf to 1kgf). What is different from common micro Vickers hardness testers is full automation (automatically taking measurements in preset patterns and making the distribution graphically confirmable).
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No07
Image dimension measuring system (image measure)
Dimensional measurements of various parts can be taken. Simple placement and push enable collective measurements up to 5000 places. No additional positioning jig is needed.
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No08
Scanning electron microscope
By using a short electron beam, a nanometer-size structure can be observed, and the structure of the surface of a highly irregular specimen can be observed in three-dimensional image as it is enlarged.
Other testing machines
- ・Rockwell hardness tester
- ・Micro Vickers hardness tester
- ・PC torque analyzer
- ・Digital microscope
- ・Dynascope
- ・Tension/compression testing machine
Chemical analysis and testing devices
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No01
Fluorescence X-ray spectrometer（EDX）
Types of elements constituting a specimen and their contents can be measured through analysis of the fluorescence X-ray energy (wavelength) and strength generated by irradiating the specimen with X rays. Constituent elements of solids, powders, liquids and other materials can be analyzed in a non-destructive manner (requiring no advance preparations, such as cutting the specimen, etc.).
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No02
Fluorescence X-ray film thickness gauge
The plating film thickness on a metal surface can be measured.
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No03
Salt spray test chamber
Salt-water is sprayed all over a test object to test corrosion resistance (whether it is resistant or sensitive to rusting).
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No04
Combined cycle salt spray test chamber
Results obtained by this corrosion resistance tester are closer to outdoor corrosion (severer than common salt water spray used to test only whether it is resistant or sensitive to rusting).
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No05
Thermal desorption mass spectrometer
The equipment screen-tests the “four phthalate esters” that will newly be restricted by the EU RoHS Directive in July 2019.
Other testing machines
- ・Portable fluorescence X-ray analyzer
- ・Constant temperature and humidity chamber
- ・Ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer
Stepping Up Education and Boosting Quality Improvement
TECHNO ASSOCIE holds lectures on quality topics and conducts e-learning courses via the company’s intranet. Currently, 16 quality-related e-learning courses are offered. In fiscal 2023, the lecture delivered at and a Decarbonized management and Quality fraud prevention training were made available online.
| Main Quality e-learning | Starting Fiscal Year | Number of Participants |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to FTA/FMEA | FY2016 | 413 |
| Quality Control Guidelines; 5th edition | FY2018 | 428 |
| Introduction to QC process flowcharts | FY2017 | 502 |
| Case studies on complaints | FY2016 | 555 |
| Outline of self-process guarantee (preventive activities) | FY2017 | 293 |
| Overview of 2015 editions of ISO9001 and 14001 | FY2017 | 797 |
| Complaint report - guidebook for preparation/close examination | FY2018 | 380 |
| Overview of 4M change application | FY2018 | 554 |
| Overview of past problems checklist | FY2018 | 526 |
| Quality Control Education A (Quality Control means, QC7Tools) | FY2019 | 411 |
| Quality Control Education B (Process Capabilities and Sampling Inspections) | FY2019 | 319 |
| Understanding of purchasing standards (Part Ⅰ) | FY2021 | 357 |
| Understanding of purchasing standards (Part Ⅱ) | FY2021 | 376 |
| 4th Quality Conference part 1 | FY2022 | 47 |
| 4th Quality Conference part 2 | FY2022 | 45 |
| chemSHERPA Overview | FY2022 | 134 |
| Decarbonized management part 1 | FY2023 | 52 |
| Decarbonized management part 2 | FY2023 | 47 |
| Quality fraud prevention training | FY2023 | 652 |
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