The Business Problem

An automotive manufacturer discovered they had a defective—but repairable—casting, which was promptly sent out for repair. The company knew that if the casting was not quickly fixed and sent back, they were at risk of shutting down production.

When the part returned, the plant manager wanted a quick analysis to ensure it was free from defects. Time was not on his side. Under normal circumstances, a certified analysis would take days—if not weeks. Knowing this timeframe was not an option, the plant’s quality engineer called Brian Joyce at Metallurgical Solutions, Inc. Because Brian had responded quickly on a past issue, he thought MSI might be able to help.

OUR APPROACH

In line with the company’s policy of prioritizing customer care, MSI immediately responded to the manufacturer’s need.  The MSI team scheduled a same-day, on-site visit to the plant. They took a section of the weld and evaluated it under a microscope to confirm that the repair was a success. MSI then prepared and dated a letter certifying that there were no defects.

THE OUTCOME

Within 30 minutes of testing, the part was in production. The plant manager avoided a major shut-down, while gaining peace of mind that the casting would hold.