Supplier Development

We routinely apply our expertise to support clients during the approval of new suppliers for rolling element bearings and gearboxes. A major aspect of supplier development is testing, this this yields particularly meaningful results – the test rig does not lie. Testing also reveals which product properties are especially relevant for a given application. The emphasis for defining technical specifications and audit requirements are set accordingly.
In addition to the initial supplier approval, routine quality control is also important. We gladly offer assistance in defining supplier quality control concepts that are appropriate for your application. We also regularly offer seminars on the topic.

Technical Specifications

Technical specifications are an important component in the communication between customer and supplier. Correctly defining them at the outset can help in receiving an appropriate product at a reasonable price. We can support you in drafting or reviewing technical requirements for bearings and gearboxes.

Design Verification

When comparing quotes from different suppliers, it is important to verify that the offered product fulfills the given technical requirements. Verification is done by comparing the design documents to existing standards and performing plausibility checks; methods are both analytical and numerical.

Factory Audits

Audits are an essential part of the supplier development process. When approving a new supplier, one should visit their production facility at least once. A correctly performed factory audit will demonstrate if the manufacturer is capable of providing the desired product at the desired level of quality. Minor shortcomings can be addressed before moving forward or the manufacturer can be eliminated from contention.

Incoming Inspections

Incoming inspections help to establish the quality of delivered goods. This can be done through a visual inspection (non-destructive, bearings and gearboxes) or testing and/or material inspection (destructive, bearings only). Regular incoming inspections are an important part of routine quality assurance.

Testing

The true quality of a product becomes apparent on the test rig. Testing is a quick and cost-effective method for pre-qualifying suppliers during the supplier development process and as a regular component of purchasing.