Hello This is my first time posting on the forum.
I have a question about qualifying someone to be an inspector.

We currently use inspection at the end of an assembly process (1 to 2 stages for assembly). The inspection does some basic electrical test (resistance and hi-pot testing) and performs visual inspection. As can be inspected our most frequently missed items are from a visual standpoint. We are currently setting up a team to investigate causes of the defects but we are also going to be hiring a new inspector (current inspector is overburdened - which does not help). The issue is we would like to set up some type of hiring / testing criteria to help find the right person for this job. Has anyone set up any type of testing to qualify someone for a QC inspection type of position?

Thanks.

Hello This is my first time posting on the forum.
I have a question about qualifying someone to be an inspector.

We currently use inspection at the end of an assembly process (1 to 2 stages for assembly). The inspection does some basic electrical test (resistance and hi-pot testing) and performs visual inspection. As can be inspected our most frequently missed items are from a visual standpoint. We are currently setting up a team to investigate causes of the defects but we are also going to be hiring a new inspector (current inspector is overburdened - which does not help). The issue is we would like to set up some type of hiring / testing criteria to help find the right person for this job. Has anyone set up any type of testing to qualify someone for a QC inspection type of position?

Thanks.

Matt,

Since visual inspection is very important to you, I would include a thorough eye exam. Also include on the competencies required basic knowledge in eletrical components and usage of the equipment they are to use.

Hello Matt! Welcome to the Cove!

In general, I would think that your other inspectors could assist more than anybody in helping locate another inspector. They can help establish some useful criteria.

Go to careerbuilder, monster, and the others and look at how the inspector job postings are written. That will help you establish what you will be competing with.

Take a job description, and have your inspectors look over it. Write it specific enough to initially filter unqualified applicants, but not too specific where you have no one apply.

Also, the discussion board here on job information is excellent. You may want to look through that when you have some time.

Just a thought: Has your organization ever considered reduced activity by inspectors and having more inspection by the operators? It's just an idea to possibly consider.

Over the years I have found that some of the best inspectors are not necessary the smartest. I'll take an eye for detail over a good talker any day. There were some test posted here like counting the F's in a paragraph which can point out who does have that eye.

Just a thought: Has your organization ever considered reduced activity by inspectors and having more inspection by the operators? It's just an idea to possibly consider.

We are going to go to self inspection long term, but we still have significant work to do before we are ready for that.

Thanks.

Where are most of these non-conformances caught post inspection? Is it through a tester or is it by someone "down the line" seeing these mistakes? If it's someone down the line I would say you have a new inspector!:applause:

Where are most of these non-conformances caught post inspection? Is it through a tester or is it by someone "down the line" seeing these mistakes? If it's someone down the line I would say you have a new inspector!:applause:


Unfortunately the mistakes are getting caught by our customers. We catch some mistakes at the final inspection but there are some making it through. Our inspector has been doing this for awhile but until last October the company did not really track customer complaints so no one was really aware of how much made it out that shouldn't have.

Matt,

Forgive me if I am getting off your topic, but I saw your last post and it intrigued me. Have you considered statistical process control in your operation? I'm just thinking that even with twice as many inspectors, you may gain more success through controlling the process than trying to eliminate failures through inspection. Any thoughts on this?

Matt,

Forgive me if I am getting off your topic, but I saw your last post and it intrigued me. Have you considered statistical process control in your operation? I'm just thinking that even with twice as many inspectors, you may gain more success through controlling the process than trying to eliminate failures through inspection. Any thoughts on this?

We are looking at SPC software currently, however every item we make is custom (although the process is similiar). We still have to 100% inspect to meet IEEE requirements. We have been focusing on Poke Yoke techniques to eliminate or reduce potentials for defects.

These are longer term solutions however and we need to catch the defects while we develop the systems to help eliminate them.

Matt-

Would the visual defects you mention be detectable by an automatic vision system?

-John

Unfortunately not. I have done alot of work with programming vision systems in the past, but do to the fact that each unit is different (size, shape, hardware, etc) I have not found a way to incorporate vision system inspection.

I feel he/she must be conscientious, hardworking and have knowledge related inspection.

You may run accross a problem I came into contact many years ago in much earlier lworking life.

Looking for visual defects on large volume aero parts to a very high standard with one of the major engine manufacturers, we found we had to do an average of nearly 3 inspections to remove 99.9% of defects. Each inspection had to be performed without the inspectors knowing someone else had looked at it.

Some bright spark then tried to set up inspection "sheds" with groups of ladies in each (sorry but men don't appear to be as good at repetative inspection as ladies:notme: , probably our brains are to highly trained:rolleyes: )

It was almost working, but I left that company before the project was finished.