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Quality Assurance Program

ISO 9001 Certified Manufacturing

Total Quality Management (TQM)

Quality Assurance at Openex is not merely a final inspection—it is an end-to-end methodology woven into every step of the manufacturing lifecycle. Operating under a strict ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS), we employ independent QA/QC inspectors directly on our 180-acre factory floor. From raw material intake to final Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), we guarantee complete traceability and code compliance.

The 4 Pillars of Openex Quality Control

Design for Manufacturability (DFM) Review

1 Design & Pre-Production Review

Quality starts before any metal is cut. Our manufacturing engineering team conducts thorough Design for Manufacturability (DFM) reviews on your 3D models and blueprints. We identify critical tolerances, mitigate welding distortion risks, and create highly detailed Shop Drawings to eliminate ambiguities for the shop floor.

  • ✔ Review of global standards (ASME, AWS, CE, API).
  • ✔ Creation of pre-approved Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS).
  • ✔ Establishment of customized Inspection and Test Plans (ITP).
Steel Plate Traceability and Stock

2 100% Material Traceability

Sub-standard raw materials cause catastrophic failures. Upon arriving at our massive material inventory hub, all raw materials are physically and chemically verified. Every sheet, pipe, and bar receives an indelible tracking code to map it from our factory directly back to the steel mill.

  • ✔ Procurement from vetted, global Tier-1 steel mills.
  • ✔ Issuance and auditing of Certified Material Test Reports (CMTR).
  • ✔ Positive Material Identification (PMI) validation.
In-process welding inspection

3 In-Process "Hold Point" Control

To prevent stacked tolerances and late-stage rework, we enforce mandatory QC "Hold Points" and "Witness Points" throughout the manufacturing cycle. Fabricators cannot proceed to the next step (like machining or painting) until an independent Quality Inspector physically measures, tests, and stamps the part.

  • ✔ First-Article Inspection (FAI) on all machined components.
  • ✔ In-process weld checks, measuring bead profiles and root passes.
  • ✔ Laser and CMM dimensional checking before final assembly.
COMPLIANCE
MDB / FAT
"Guaranteed Code Turnover"

4 Complete Documentation Turnover

When an international buyer receives a component from Openex, they also receive complete peace of mind. We generate comprehensive Quality Turnover Packages—also known as the Manufacturing Data Book (MDB)—which act as the permanent legal and engineering record of your fabrication.

  • ✔ Compiled Material Test Reports (MTRs) and PMI results.
  • ✔ Certified NDT Reports (UT, RT, PT, MT).
  • ✔ Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) sign-offs.
  • ✔ Full Welder Traceability Maps & Calibration Logs.

Explore Our Advanced Quality Technologies

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Dimensional Metrology

Discover how we measure parts up to 250 tons using gantry CMMs and Laser Trackers.

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Non-Destructive Testing

Learn about our certified in-house UT, MT, PT, and Radiographic X-Ray weld defect testing.

Request a Quality Assessment Audit

Our QA engineering team is available to review your exact fabrication codes and provide customized Inspection and Test Plan (ITP) templates prior to quoting.

Contact Our QC Engineers
Have Questions?

Quality Assurance FAQs

What is a Quality Management System (QMS) and why is ISO 9001 important?
A Quality Management System (QMS) is a formal system that documents processes, procedures, and responsibilities for achieving quality policies and objectives. ISO 9001 is the international standard for a QMS. Being ISO 9001 certified demonstrates that a company has a robust system in place to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements. It signifies a commitment to quality, process control, and continuous improvement.
What is an Inspection and Test Plan (ITP) in heavy fabrication?
An Inspection and Test Plan (ITP) is a critical quality assurance document that outlines the entire sequence of inspections and tests for a fabrication project. It defines the type of inspection required at each stage (e.g., material receiving, welding, machining, coating), the acceptance criteria, the responsible party, and what stages require a mandatory "hold point" where work cannot proceed until a quality inspector signs off. It is the master roadmap for ensuring quality throughout the production process.
What is a Manufacturing Data Book (MDB) and what does it typically include?
A Manufacturing Data Book (MDB), also known as a Quality Turnover Package, is a comprehensive set of documents that provides a complete record of a component's manufacturing history. It serves as objective evidence that all contractual and code requirements have been met. A typical MDB includes: 1) Certified Material Test Reports (MTRs), 2) Welder qualification records and weld maps, 3) Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) reports, 4) Dimensional inspection reports, 5) Coating and painting reports, and 6) The final signed-off Inspection and Test Plan (ITP).