“You can never re-anodize a part. It has to be done right the first time.”
But how do you know it will be done the right?
1. You may not know that there is an industry-government program that creates requirements for accreditation and an independent certification program that goes with it. The program is called Nadcap (National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation). It covers anodizing, ensuring that the metal finisher’s process meets or exceeds industry recognized high standards though a quality systems audit. Is the metal finisher you want to use currently Nadcap-Accredited?
2. What do you know about the Quality Assurance (QA) procedures in place at your metal finisher? Do they think of QA as something that happens right before shipping, or are they committed to a rigorous QA process during every job (including yours) from start to finish? Is your metal finisher transparent about their QA processes and procedures?
3. Open, clear, and transparent communications are vital to making sure your parts are finished to meet your requirements. With a new job, the questions can involve everything from reviewing specifications, discussion of cost-effective and environmentally-friendly alternatives, to shipping times and constraints. Is your proposed metal finisher asking the right questions, and more importantly, listening to your answers?