Quality Control Inspector Career Description
The quality control inspector sees to it that prescribed standards are maintained in the production of motor vehicles.
What am I going to do in this occupation?
Receiving quality control inspector
The motor manufacturers themselves produce not all the components, which are installed in a motor vehicle, but some are bought from other manufacturers. Examples of these are tyres, window panels, carpets and so forth. Articles that are delivered by other manufacturers must conform to prescribed standards and must be in perfect working condition. Items that may be damaged during the transport must usually be checked for scratch marks, cracks and dents.
Some articles, like alternators, require thorough testing. This testing takes place through the utilization of the necessary electronic or other equipment. It is an impossible task to subject all the items to this type of testing and it can therefore be decided, for example, that only fifty or a hundred of the articles of a consignment are thoroughly tested.
Apart from the fact that the quality must be checked, the inspector must also ensure that the items that are indicated on the consignment note are all delivered. If the receipt of articles, which in reality have not been sent, is acknowledged, it may entail that the firm will later be debited with the amount, that is, the firm will have to pay for articles which were actually never received.
Self-inspection at assembly line worker level has resulted in fewer online quality inspectors being needed. Rather, companies employ final buy off inspectors at major change zones or
points on the assembly line.
Production quality control inspector
The inspector, who works in the factory itself, will be found at different points in the
manufacturing process. The inspector must see to it that none of the components are overlooked, no matter how slight the mistake may be. If it appears that the bodywork is faulty in any way, the fault
must first be corrected before the following phase in the manufacturing process may take place. Inspectors are provided with a list of the items, which they have to examine. They have to mark off each item that has been inspected.
The vehicle is subjected to very strict examination during this last stage. The digital dynamometer, for example, measures the speed and extent of the power that the engine delivers. Furthermore, the lights and wheel alignment are adjusted.
If the inspector finds faults in any of the manufacturing phases, then those faults have to be corrected or the missing components have to be provided. Some faults, such as dents in the bodywork, are mechanically repaired.
Requirements
What kind of personality do I need?
Quality control inspectors need particularly good eyesight and perceptive faculties. Colour discrimination ability will also enable them to ensure that the paintwork, the upholstery and other fittings are the correct matching colors. A good perceptual ability, form perception and average mechanical insight are essentials.
The inspector must be firm, but at the same time maintain good interpersonal relationships. Whilst carrying out their tasks, the inspectors spend the greatest part of the day on their feet and sometimes have to clamber around in unfinished motor vehicles. The work can therefore be physically exhausting and sound physical health is regarded as a prerequisite.
Although persons of 25 years and older are preferred, younger applicants, even school-leavers are considered, if it appears that they may succeed in establishing a permanent career and a stable work record.
Where can I work?
Motor manufacturers employ the quality control inspector. Although the motor industry experiences economic slumps from time to time, it is still systematically developing and extending itself. This is a career for those who are not able to follow a suitable apprenticeship, but are nevertheless interested in technical work.
Can I work for myself in this occupation?
No self-employment opportunities exist in this field.
|
