Quality
Quality control and traceability
A defect found in the field costs more than the lock. Inspection is documented at every stage, and you approve the finished batch before it ships.
Inspection at every stage
Four stages, each with a written instruction and a record.
Incoming material
Documented inspection of raw material against the specification, with batch records opened at receipt.
In-process
Checked at each production stage, not only at the end of the line. A drifting dimension is caught before it becomes a batch.
Final inspection
Full inspection, sampling, or an inspection plan you specify. Each unit is checked by hand for surface and function.
Packing check
Quantity, packaging and labelling verified against the packing list before the carton is closed.
What we test
Testing capability for the properties that decide whether hardware survives a real facility, covering mechanical parts and electronic access hardware.
| Test | Property checked | Why a buyer cares |
|---|---|---|
| Lock durability and cycling | Open–close cycles to failure | How long the mechanism lasts in daily use. |
| Tensile and impact load | Force on the shackle and locking structure | Whether the lock resists a physical attack. |
| Humidity and temperature ageing | Behaviour under humidity and temperature swings | Outdoor and coastal installations. |
| Salt spray | Corrosion resistance of the finish | Whether plating survives a coastal site. |
| Optical inspection | Surface and dimensional defects | Porosity, deformation and edge quality on cast and machined parts. |
| Electronic lock life-cycle rig | Fingerprint, keypad, card and mechanical-key cycles on electronic locks | Whether the electronics, biometric reader and clutch still work after long service, not just the mechanism. |
| Battery and charging endurance | Rechargeable cell behaviour over repeated charge and discharge cycles | Whether a rechargeable lock still holds a working charge across its service life. |
| Radio, EMC and electrical safety | 2.4 GHz radio spectrum, electromagnetic compatibility and electrical safety to the EU radio equipment directive | Whether a Bluetooth lock meets the standard your project names — tested by a third-party laboratory, with the reports on file. |
Testing parameters and reports are specific to each product. Tell us which standard your project requires and we will confirm what applies — we do not apply one product's test data to another.
The three salt-spray tests, and which material they suit
Method and material decide the result. Asking for "a salt-spray test" without naming either is how incomparable numbers get into a specification.
NSS — neutral salt spray
The default corrosion test for plated, coated and stainless hardware, run to ISO 9227. This is the method quoted for storage locks and latches.
ASS — acetic acid salt spray
A more aggressive variant used mainly on decorative plating such as nickel and chrome, where appearance matters as much as protection.
CASS — copper-accelerated
The most severe of the three, used for finishes intended for heavily corrosive environments. Results are not comparable with NSS hours.
| Material | Typical finish | Where it is normally specified |
|---|---|---|
| Zinc alloy | Satin nickel, matte black, brushed | Padlock bodies and latches in covered or indoor use |
| Aluminium | Anodised or painted | Lightweight bodies and indoor corridor hardware |
| Stainless steel 201 | Brushed or mirror | Indoor corridors and climate-controlled buildings |
| Stainless steel 304 | Brushed or satin nickel | Drive-up units, exposed doors and coastal air |
| Brass | Nickel or chrome plated | Cylinders, plugs and keys |
The classification above decides which test we run and which finish we recommend for your site. The recorded duration belongs to the model and the finish tested, so we confirm it against the report for the part you are ordering rather than publishing a single figure for the range.
Records we keep
- Batch traceability
- Back to the source material for the run.
- Inspection records
- Per stage, per batch, retained.
- Complaint and corrective action
- Documented process with a recorded outcome.
- Pre-shipment archive
- Photo and video record of the finished batch.
- First Article Inspection
- Dimensions, finish and fit confirmed before the full run.
Pre-shipment approval
Before the goods leave, we send photos and video of the finished batch. Production only ships after your confirmation.
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Quality questions
Can I specify my own inspection plan?
Yes. You can ask for full inspection, sampling to an AQL you nominate, or your own written inspection plan. Tell us at order confirmation so it is built into the production schedule.
Will I see the goods before they ship?
Yes. We send photos and video of the finished batch for your approval. Production ships after your confirmation, not before.
Can you trace a defect back to its batch?
Yes. Batch records let us trace back to the source material for the affected run, which is what makes a corrective action meaningful rather than a replacement without a cause.
Do you apply one product's test data to another product?
No. Test results are issued per model and per finish. Where a test has not been carried out on your model, we say so rather than presenting a result from a different product.
Which checks run on every batch, and which are carried out once?
Dimensional and functional checks are recorded per batch, while durability and salt-spray testing are carried out per model and finish. Tell us which figures your specification needs and we will confirm which document carries them.
Can a third-party inspector attend the final inspection?
Yes. Third-party inspection can be arranged at the final inspection stage, and we will confirm how much notice the inspector needs. Tell us the agency and the standard they will be working to.