If quality control is so important, as we have always maintained, it goes without saying that whoever is in charge of it should be competent at the task. So, what must the skills required of quality control operators be? What should their mental state of mind be? What attitude should they have?
Let’s start with the basics. A good operator in our sector assigned to quality control must undoubtedly have a mechanical background. They must for example know what it is possible to do with tool machines and what instead is not possible. This is because the Quality Control department is not isolated from everything else but must interface with the other departments. On the one hand with production (and with all its machinery) and on the other with the R&D department because when the designer decides to assign the piece a certain form they must also ensure those involved in quality control are able to measure it and, to do so, the designer must be able to communicate with that department.
We can, in fact, say that the QC department is somehow the glue between all the departments of a company.
Then there are the tools. Today, measuring machines are almost all computerized and therefore equipped with special software with which operators must obviously have a certain familiarity, the result of a period of training both on the machine and on the software.
On this point I would open brackets. In many businesses, it is the case that the more experienced operators train newcomers, which is definitely very useful, although I believe that it is always better that each operator undertakes at least one training course with the manufacturer of the measuring machine so that there is no risk of them receiving incomplete or distorted information.
Underlying everything is the culture of metrology which – if of a high level – will allow the operator in charge of the quality control to learn any new concept.
It is a vast field and anything but simple. There are thousands of factors that influence the quality control of a piece (sizes, measuring system, temperature, humidity …) and, therefore, as I mentioned in a post some time ago, special attention should be paid to the tool intended to be used. To resume the example relating to measurement of a hole, I wrote:
“Which measurement tool can I use for the dimensional inspection of a bore hole? There is no single answer to this question as there are a number of devices that fulfil this function. I refer to the gauge, to the inside micrometer, to the bore meter, an optical machine or to a contact machine. With each of these tools it is possible to obtain a reading of the measurement, that is an absolute value. […] In general, this question can be answered by referring to the geometric tolerances which should indicate to me both the method of creation of a bore hole and the most suitable measuring instrument to use during controls”.
Ideally those involved in metrology should also be familiar with the applications, another useful source of guidance in selecting the tool to be used during measurement.
I would finally add other characteristics to this that are innate and, perhaps, more mundane but equally important such as: a methodical approach, extreme precision and a critical eye on one’s work. Qualities that not everyone possesses.
Is it difficult to find a Quality Control operator? That depends. Our philosophy is that of in-house training of young people who after a short period at the company demonstrate a particular propensity to this type of task. They must of course always be accompanied by expert tutors who are our corporate “pillars”.
It should then never be forgotten that the training of a Quality Control operator never ends.
In a large metrological room the duties tend to be divided between the various operators. The risk, in a case such as this, is that an operator becomes highly specialised but monothematic. In my opinion a good Quality Control operator must have achieved reasonable experience and autonomy across the different areas of the room.
