Outsourced Plating Supplier Responsibilities

[Russ]

We recently had some parts E-Nickel plated by a somewhat new supplier. Part of these parts had to be masked prior to plating. It seems that the supplier did not see the need to oil these parts after processing and removing the masking so the unplated section of the parts rusted before we got them back and unboxed them. I cost us over 6 hours rework time to fix these parts. The supplier tells me we should have "told them" to oil them if we wanted that done. I said it only makes common sense to oil a part after doing this to prevent it from rusting. Could I please have everyone's input on this?

 

[Ron Rompen]

Although it is only 'common sense' to oil or otherwise coat an exposed surface, I have to agree with your supplier on this. If you didn't specify that you wanted it done, then they are not under any obligation to do it. Any added processes add costs, and if they didn't quote it, then they are (understandably) reluctant to do it for free.

 

[Mike S.]

We have had this happen. In reality, IMO you’re both responsible.

So for the future I would clearly state – at a minimum for every product you buy – that the product needs to be adequately protected from rust, corrosion, oxidation, deterioration, damage, whatever, before shipment.

If you want them to use a specific method, especially if some of this stuff may sit in inventory for a while, clearly state the method you want used. This is the safest bet.

 

[Russ]

I see where I may have been amiss. So if I were to add a note to the PO about oiling to prevent rust I would like to do it using a general note that would appear on every PO so that we are covered on all PO's sent out.

Something like: "Prior to parts being returned to [our company], they should be treated to prevent rust or corrosion when failure to do so could result in either of these situations developing."

Any ideas on this approach?

 

[Mike S.]

Whatever works for your system...we have a series of PO codes we apply when needed. A text note on the PO would work.

 

[Wes Bucey]

My weigh-in echos the others - SPECIFY EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT/NEED!

I can think of a number of scenarios where I would NOT want any rustproofing chemicals added to parts after unmasking. I would be damn specific about how and with what the masking was applied and how and with what it was removed.

Just curious: by "E-Nickel" did you mean "electroplated" or "electroless"? My preference was always for electroless - no dogboning, with uniform deposition on EVERY exposed surface.

 

[normzone]

I see where I may have been amiss. So if I were to add a note to the PO about oiling to prevent rust I would like to do it using a general note that would appear on every PO so that we are covered on all PO's sent out.

Something like: "Prior to parts being returned to [our company], they should be treated to prevent rust or corrosion when failure to do so could result in either of these situations developing."

Any ideas on this approach?

Methods vary - here's the risks I've experienced.

The P.O. will likely not be in the hands of the guy doing the work. He'll either have a copy of your drawing, or a customized work document created by his planning department. YMMV - depending on how sophisticated the outfit is. So whether or not the note on the P.O. is followed depends on your supplier's setup.

Putting the callout on a master document that only contains callouts and explanations of them works fine - when your customer has that document and follows it, when the guy in the shop gets that information reliably and understands it, and there's not a guy substituting for him while he's on vacation. And when your engineer uses it and keeps it up to date forever - when engineering department practices evolve (or devolve, I've seen both) then that doc may get obsoleted and nobody knows what the hell that code means or where the old document is.

Your best choice depends on your situation - size of your company and supplier, stability of the staff. My preference is every drawing contains the full requirement. All the buyer has to do is drop the note from his template, or pull a different template and your communication is over.

Also, correspond with your supplier and ask them what works best for them. They may need it the way you want to do it, or they may be in a completely different world when it comes to how they perceive what is best practice.

Been there, done that - word to the wise and all that.

 

[Wes Bucey]

Norm has nailed it! COMMUNICATE! I never met a psychic supplier who could read my mind, so I had to tell him, confirmed in writing, and sometimes had to add photos, cartoons, and physical samples to get my point across. There's an old adage:
Never "assume." Broken down into its basic components, you get an

A S S U M E
​

 

[somashekar]

I see where I may have been amiss. So if I were to add a note to the PO about oiling to prevent rust I would like to do it using a general note that would appear on every PO so that we are covered on all PO's sent out.

Something like: "Prior to parts being returned to [our company], they should be treated to prevent rust or corrosion when failure to do so could result in either of these situations developing."

Any ideas on this approach?

Follow what is nicely said by normzone .... and do tell him what oil he has to use as well. Do you want that portion to be wrapped as well after the oil smearing ? You can think of good outsourced process control when you do the risk based thinking ....