Quality and Certification
Buyers in aerospace, security, medical, mining and energy filter on quality first. This page sets out how McIver Engineering controls quality on every precision machined and fabricated part that leaves our Sydney workshop, from inspection and measurement to material traceability and first article inspection.
Our Quality Process
Every job enters our Smithfield workshop through a documented quality process. Before machining or fabrication begins, drawings are reviewed for design-for-manufacture, material is confirmed against specification, and a job route sheet records every operation, inspection point and sign-off.
During manufacture, operators check critical dimensions at each stage rather than only at final inspection. Parts are inspected against the drawing before they leave the workshop, and inspection records are retained so we can trace any part back to its material, machine and operator.
- Drawing review and design-for-manufacture feedback before work begins
- Job route sheet recording operations, inspections and sign-offs
- In-process checks at critical stages, not only at final inspection
- Final inspection against drawing before parts leave the workshop
- Inspection records retained for traceability
Inspection and Measurement Equipment
Our Sydney workshop is equipped to inspect precision machined and fabricated parts in-house, so quality is verified on the bench rather than assumed from machine tolerances. We measure critical features, surface finishes and geometric tolerances before a part is signed off.
Precision measurement
Verniers, micrometers and bore gauges for critical dimensional checks.
Surface finish verification
Surface finish inspection to confirm Ra requirements on machined faces.
Geometric inspection
Checking of squareness, parallelism and runout against drawing tolerances.
Final bench inspection
Every part inspected against the drawing before it leaves the workshop.
Inspection equipment is calibrated and maintained in our workshop. For specialist metrology requirements we can arrange third-party CMM inspection on request.
Tolerance Capability
We routinely hold tolerances as tight as 0.01 mm on critical machined features. Actual achievable tolerance depends on the material, geometry, process and part size, and we confirm what is achievable on your specific part at quoting stage.
0.01 mm
Routine tolerance on critical features
CNC
Milling, turning and multi-axis platforms
In-house
Inspection before parts leave the workshop
For fabricated and laser-cut parts, tolerance capability is confirmed against the material thickness and process at quoting stage. Where a drawing specifies a tighter tolerance than the standard process allows, we will flag it and propose the best route.
Material Certificates and Traceability
For work into aerospace, security, medical, mining and energy, material provenance is non-negotiable. We supply material test certificates and full traceability on request, so you can verify that the material in your part matches the specification on your drawing.
- Material test certificates supplied on request with machined and fabricated parts
- Traceability from incoming material to finished part and job route sheet
- Material confirmed against drawing specification before machining begins
- Certified material sourced through approved suppliers and Global Supply Network
If your project requires a specific material specification, heat number traceability or a certificate of conformity, tell us at quoting stage so we can build it into the job route sheet.
First Article Inspection
First article inspection (FAI) verifies the first part of a run against the drawing before production continues. It catches any deviation early, so the rest of the run is produced to the confirmed, inspected standard.
We offer FAI as standard on critical and regulated work, and supply an inspection report to the client. For ongoing production, we can agree an inspection regime, whether that is FAI on the first part of every batch, periodic sampling, or 100 per cent inspection on critical features.
When to request FAI
- First-off tooling or new part numbers
- Regulated work in aerospace, medical or security
- Any part where a deviation would be costly to discover late
Certified Tradespeople
McIver Engineering does not currently hold an ISO or AS9100 certification. What we can stand behind is the quality of the people doing the work: every mechanical fabricator and CNC machinist in our workshop is a certified tradesperson.
- All CNC machinists hold recognised trade qualifications
- All mechanical fabricators hold recognised trade qualifications
- Work carried out by qualified tradespeople, not supervised trainees
- Decades of combined workshop experience across the team
We are working towards formal quality certification. In the meantime, our documented quality process, in-house inspection, material traceability and first article inspection give you the controls you need for critical work. If your project requires a specific certification, contact us and we will be upfront about what we can and cannot meet.
Quality FAQ
What tolerances can McIver Engineering hold?
We routinely hold tolerances as tight as 0.01 mm on critical machined and fabricated features. Tolerance capability depends on material, geometry and process, and we confirm achievable tolerances at quoting stage.
Do you provide material certificates with machined parts?
Yes. We supply material test certificates and full traceability on request for machined and fabricated parts, so aerospace, medical, security and energy clients can verify material provenance.
What is first article inspection and do you offer it?
First article inspection (FAI) verifies the first part of a run against the drawing before production continues. We offer FAI as standard on critical and regulated work, with an inspection report supplied to the client.
Which quality certifications does McIver Engineering hold?
McIver Engineering does not currently hold an ISO or AS9100 certification. All of our CNC machinists and mechanical fabricators are certified tradespeople, and we operate a documented quality process covering inspection, measurement, material traceability and first article inspection from our Sydney workshop. Contact us to discuss your specific certification requirements.
Need verified quality on your next part?
Send us your drawings and tell us your quality requirements. We will confirm tolerances, material traceability and inspection regime at quoting stage.