In-Process Inspection
Definition
Quality checks performed during production rather than only at final inspection. Dimensional checks, pull-tests, and visual inspection at critical process stages detect non-conformances before they are incorporated into finished products.
- Timing
- During production, before final inspection
- Examples
- Dimensional checks, pull-tests, visual inspection
- Purpose
- Catch non-conformances before final assembly
- Contrast
- Final or end-of-line inspection only
Common questions
Why does relying only on final inspection increase liability risk?+
Defects caught only after a product is fully assembled or shipped are more costly to trace back to their root cause and may already have reached the market, whereas in-process checks isolate the failing stage and let a manufacturer halt an affected batch.
How does in-process inspection data feature in product liability litigation?+
Missing or falsified in-process inspection records can support a claim that the quality system failed to catch a known defect risk, while intact records showing checks were performed and passed can support a manufacturer's due-diligence defense.
Related terms
- Conforming Unit
- A unit that was manufactured in accordance with the approved design specification. A conforming unit may still be involved in an injury...
- ISO 9001
- The international standard for quality management systems published by the International Organization for Standardization. Certification means the organisation has documented and implemented...
- Manufacturing Defect
- A deviation in a specific production unit from the manufacturer's approved design specification, occurring during manufacturing, assembly, or handling before sale. The...
- Race Condition (Software)
- A software defect in which the program's behaviour depends on the timing or sequence of events, such as two processes accessing shared...
- Statistical Process Control (SPC)
- A method of monitoring a manufacturing process in real time using control charts that distinguish normal process variation (common cause) from signals...