ISO
9001:2015 Certified
Quality Assurance in CNC Machining Precision You Can Verify. Documentation You Can Audit
Every part Great light ships has been inspected, documented, and released against a verifiable standard. Not a supplier claim. A documented, auditable commitment.
- ISO 9001:2015
- IATF 16949:2016
- ISO 13485:2016
Get Inquiry NowAbout Great Light
Mr. Bai — Senior Applications Engineer
12+ years of CNC machining quality engineering · Primary DFM & inspection protocol reviewer · Oversees quality gate decisions on all aerospace, medical, and automotive programs · Reviewed 1,200+ part drawings annually
When a B2B buyer asks “how do we know your parts meet spec?” — the honest answer is not “because we say so.” It is: here is the CNC machining inspection data, here is the CMM report, here is the material certification, and here is the documented quality system that produced all of it. At Great Light, quality is not a department — it is the engineering framework through which every production decision is made, from the moment your drawing arrives to the moment your parts leave our loading dock.
This page explains exactly what our quality assurance system consists of, how it operates, what documentation it generates, and why it meets the requirements of aerospace, automotive, and medical supply chains simultaneously — under three independently audited certifications.
±0.005mm
Standard CNC tolerance
CMM verified on all critical dims
CMM verified on all critical dims
±0.001mm
CMM measurement uncertainty
per ISO 14253-1
per ISO 14253-1
Cpk ≥1.33
Production approval standard
<64 ppm defect rate
<64 ppm defect rate
100%
Critical dimension verification
before every shipment
before every shipment
10 Years
Quality record retention
Aerospace & medical orders
Aerospace & medical orders
24hrs
NCR customer notification
after any defect detection
after any defect detection
Certifications: The Three Standards That Govern Our Quality System
Most CNC suppliers hold one certification. Great Light holds three — simultaneously, all current, all third-party audited. This is not a coincidence; it is a deliberate investment in the quality infrastructure required to serve regulated supply chains in aerospace, automotive, and medical simultaneously.
ISO 9001:2015
Quality Management System
The foundation standard. Covers every process that affects product quality — from order review and DFM through manufacturing, inspection, and delivery. Requires documented control plans, calibration management, internal audit, and management review.
✅ Applies to ALL Great Light orders
IATF 16949:2016
Automotive Quality System
The mandatory quality standard for Tier 1 and Tier 2 automotive suppliers. Includes FMEA, SPC process capability monitoring, PPAP documentation (Levels 1–3), control plans, and Measurement System Analysis (MSA / Gauge R&R).
✅ Automotive Tier 1/2 supply chain ready
ISO 13485:2016
Medical Device Quality
The quality standard for medical device manufacturing. Covers design control, risk management, batch traceability, material verification, and the documentation required for regulatory submissions (FDA, CE). Applies to all Great Light medical component programs.
✅ Medical device programs — FDA/CE compatible
Quality Philosophy: Prevention Built Into the Process, Not Detection at the End
A supplier who relies on final inspection to find non-conforming parts is not controlling quality — they are sorting defects after the cost has already been incurred. Every scrapped part represents 100% of its machining time and material cost consumed with zero value delivered. Great Light’s quality approach is prevention-first.
❌ Detection-Only Approach (Commodity Suppliers)
- Machine the part completely
- Inspect at the end
- Scrap or rework non-conforming parts
- All machining cost already spent
- Schedule impact from rework
- Defect found by customer = quality failure
✅ Prevention-First Approach
- DFM review before any machining begins
- 5-stage gate inspection during machining
- Catch errors when correction costs cents, not dollars
- SPC monitoring prevents drift before it produces defects
- Final CMM inspection is confirmation, not discovery
- Customer receives conforming parts. Always.
🔍 Sourcing parts for a regulated application? Upload your drawing — Great Light’s engineering team reviews quality requirements alongside manufacturability and returns a quote with full quality documentation options within 4–8 hours. Request a quality-first quote →
Stage-Gate Inspection Protocol: 5 Checkpoints Before Your Part Ships
What separates a quality-controlled shop from one that merely has a CMM? The answer is when inspection happens. Catching a non-conformance after the part is fully machined means all the machining time is already spent. Great Light’s 5-stage protocol inserts measurement checkpoints at each critical transition during machining — turning inspection from a final verdict into a continuous dialogue with the process.
1
Setup Verification — Before First Cut
- Datum establishment: Workpiece datum planes measured to verify fixture alignment within required position tolerance
- Stock verification: Raw material dimensions confirmed against order specification — undersized blanks caught before a single tool path runs
- Tool length offset (TLO) check: Critical cutting tools measured to prevent dimensional offset from tool-to-tool variation
- Material identity: XRF verification on high-value alloys (Ti, Inconel, SS) before machining begins
2
Post-Roughing Inspection
- Reference surface check: Key datum surfaces verified within tolerance before semi-finishing begins
- Stock allowance verification: Remaining material on critical surfaces confirmed — too little risks missing the finish tolerance
- Major feature positional check: Large bores, primary pockets, and datum hole positions checked — catching setup or program errors before they are committed to the geometry
3
Post-Semi-Finishing Inspection
- Critical bore/OD pre-measurement: Precision bores and outside diameters measured before the finishing pass, allowing tool wear offset adjustment to hit exact nominal
- Surface condition check: Visual and profilometer assessment to confirm the semi-finished surface is free of chatter marks and built-up edge artifacts
4
Post-Finishing Inspection — Before Part Leaves Setup
- 100% critical dimension measurement: Every dimension designated as critical or key characteristic measured before the part is unclamped — the last opportunity to re-machine without re-fixturing cost
- GD&T verification on CMM: Geometric tolerances (true position, perpendicularity, parallelism, runout) verified with part still in the work envelope
- Surface roughness measurement: Functional surfaces (sealing faces, bearing journals, mating diameters) confirmed to Ra specification
5
Post-Process Final Inspection — After Finishing / Plating / Heat Treatment
Post-processing introduces dimensional change: Type II anodize adds 5–12µm outward per surface; Type III hard anodize adds 12–37µm; electroless nickel adds 5–25µm; heat treatment distorts geometry. All of these effects are predicted and pre-compensated in the machining program — but must be verified after the fact.
- Post-coat re-measurement: All bore/shaft/mating surfaces with fit tolerances (H7/h6, etc.) re-measured after anodizing or plating
- Post-heat-treat hardness test: Every heat-treated lot verified by Rockwell or Vickers hardness test against specification
- Final shipment release: Part released to shipping only after all Stage 5 results are within tolerance and documented
In-House Metrology Equipment
The credibility of any tolerance claim rests entirely on the measurement equipment available to verify it. Great Light maintains a fully equipped in-house metrology lab — not outsourced, not a shared facility — with all instruments calibrated on defined schedules and traceable to national standards.
| Instrument | Resolution | Application | Calibration Interval |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine) | ±0.001mm uncertainty | 3D geometry, GD&T all characteristics, automated production programs | 6 months |
| Digital Outside Micrometer | 0.001mm | OD diameters, shaft sizes, wall thicknesses | 12 months |
| Digital Bore Gauge / Air Gauge | 0.001mm | Internal diameters, bearing bores, reamed holes | 12 months |
| Surface Profilometer (Ra/Rz) | 0.01µm | Surface roughness measurement: Ra, Rz, Rq on functional surfaces | 12 months |
| XRF Analyzer (X-ray Fluorescence) | Elemental % | Positive Material Identification (PMI) — Ti, Inconel, SS alloy verification | Annual |
| Optical Comparator / Vision System | 0.001mm | Thread profiles, small features, contour verification | 12 months |
| Hardness Tester (Rockwell / Vickers) | ±0.5 HRC | Post-heat-treat hardness verification, surface treatment batch release | 6 months |
| Thread Gauges (Go/No-Go) | Class 6H/6g | Thread fit and tolerance class verification for all thread forms | On wear check |
Calibration traceability: All Great Light measurement instruments are calibrated by an accredited laboratory with certificates traceable to national standards. Calibration certificates are retained on file and available for customer audit. No instrument with an expired calibration sticker is permitted on the production floor — this is enforced by the calibration recall system, not by individual responsibility.
Statistical Process Control: Predicting Failure Before It Happens
A First Article Inspection tells you one part met tolerance. What tells you the thousandth part will also meet tolerance? Statistical Process Control (SPC) does. By measuring and plotting key dimensions at defined intervals during production, Great Light detects process drift before it produces out-of-tolerance parts — not after. The control chart is a real-time early-warning system, not a historical archive.
| Cpk Value | Sigma Level | Defect Rate (ppm) | Great Light Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| < 1.00 | < 3σ | > 2,700 ppm | ❌ Not capable — not acceptable for production |
| 1.00–1.33 | 3–4σ | 64–2,700 ppm | ⚠️ Marginal — requires 100% inspection + improvement plan |
| ≥ 1.33 | 4σ | 64 ppm | ✅ Great Light minimum production standard |
| ≥ 1.67 | 5σ | 0.6 ppm | ⭐ Preferred for safety-critical & medical applications |
| ≥ 2.00 | 6σ | < 0.002 ppm | ⭐⭐ Six Sigma — targeted for life-critical applications |
First Article Inspection (FAI): The Production Approval Gate
The First Article Inspection is the formal, documented verification that the first production part meets every requirement on the engineering drawing — before series production continues. For aerospace programs, Great Light structures FAI per AS9102B methodology. For automotive programs, PPAP documentation (Levels 1–3) is available under IATF 16949. Both are supported; specify your requirement at RFQ stage.
| FAI Element | Description | Standard Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ballooned Drawing | Every characteristic individually numbered; serves as reference index for all measurements | AS9102 / AIAG PPAP |
| Actual Measured Values | Nominal, tolerance, and actual value for every ballooned dimension — no omissions | AS9102 Form 1 |
| Pass/Fail Disposition | Clear conformance status per characteristic; overall lot disposition | AS9102 / ISO 10012 |
| Measurement Method | Instrument type documented for each characteristic — enables audit of measurement system | AS9102 / MSA |
| Material Certificate Reference | MTR heat number cross-referenced to FAI part for full material traceability | AS9102 / ISO 13485 |
| Special Process Records | Heat treat certificate, anodize/plating certificate, NDT report where applicable | AS9102 / NADCAP |
| Surface Finish Data | Ra profilometer measurements on all functional surface finish callouts | ISO 4287 / ASME B46.1 |
Material Verification & Lot Traceability
A part machined to perfect tolerances from the wrong material is a non-conforming part. Material verification is not optional — it is the first gate in Great Light’s quality system, and it applies before a single tool engages the workpiece.
📋 Incoming Material Verification
- Mill Test Report (MTR) review: Every material lot reviewed against the drawing-specified standard (e.g., AMS 4928 for Ti-6Al-4V) before acceptance
- Dimensional stock check: Bar, plate, tube measured on receipt to confirm cross-section adequacy
- XRF positive material identification: For high-value alloys (Ti, Inconel, SS), XRF analysis independently verifies alloy chemistry against MTR — protecting against mixed-material and counterfeit material risk
🔗 Traceability Through Production
- Heat/lot tagging: MTR heat number transferred to work order traveller when material is cut — traceability maintained from billet to shipment
- Job traveller system: Machine ID, operator ID, inspection results, and any NCR events documented for every production lot
- Lot segregation: Multi-lot production runs segregated at the part level — no mixing of different material heats in the same customer shipment
- Record retention: Minimum 10 years for aerospace and medical orders
Non-Conformance & Corrective Action: We Don't Hide Problems. We Fix Them.
No quality system is perfect. What separates a mature quality system from an immature one is how it responds to quality events. Great Light’s Non-Conformance Report (NCR) and Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) process ensures every quality event — however small — is documented, root-caused, and permanently corrected. And if a non-conformance affects your order, you hear about it before the parts ship — not after.
🚨
Detection & Quarantine
Non-conformance identified at any stage → immediate red-tag quarantine. No non-conforming part advances in the process or reaches shipping.
📝
24-Hour Customer Notification
For any non-conformance affecting your order, We notifies the customer within 24 hours — before disposition decision. Customer approval required for any non-conforming shipment.
🔬
Root Cause + Permanent Fix
5-Why or Fishbone root cause analysis. Corrective action defined, assigned, implemented, and verified on the next production run of the same part number.
Quality Documentation Package: What Ships With Every Great Light Order
Great Light’s quality documentation transforms a shipment of machined parts into a fully auditable, traceable supply chain record. Every document is issued against a specific lot, references the purchase order and drawing revision, and is retained per the schedule below. Which documents does your program require? Specify at RFQ stage — we will confirm availability and include them in your shipment.
| Document | Included Standard? | Key Content | Applicable To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Conformance (COC) | ✅ All Orders | Declares parts conform to drawing, specification, and PO. Includes lot number, revision, supplier info. | All B2B orders — standard |
| Material Test Report (MTR) | ✅ All Metal | Mill-certified chemical composition + mechanical properties. Heat number traceable to raw material mill. | Aerospace, medical, structural |
| First Article Inspection (FAI) | On Request | Ballooned drawing + all feature actual values + pass/fail + measurement method. AS9102B compatible. | Aerospace AS9100, Medical, Automotive |
| CMM Dimensional Report | On Request | Batch sampling or 100% critical dimension actual values. AQL level. CMM data with measurement uncertainty. | Precision production orders |
| Surface Finish Certificate | On Request | Ra/Rz actual values + profilometer scan data compared to drawing requirement. | Sealing surfaces, bearing surfaces, medical devices |
| Heat Treatment Certificate | When Applicable | Time-temperature curve, hardness test results HRC/HV, batch traceability. | Hardened steel, aerospace fasteners |
| Plating / Anodize Certificate | When Applicable | Process specification, coating thickness measurements, bath certification records. | Anodized, plated, electroless nickel parts |
| PPAP Documentation | On Request | PSW, dimensional results, Cpk data, control plan, PFMEA. Levels 1–3 per AIAG PPAP 4th Edition. | Automotive Tier 1/2 production programs |
Industry-Specific Quality Capability
✈️ Aerospace & Defence
- ISO 9001:2015 quality system (AS9100-compatible documentation)
- FAI per AS9102B methodology on all new aerospace part numbers
- AMS-certified titanium (Ti-6Al-4V) and Inconel stock available
- Full material lot traceability from billet to shipment
- NDA standard before design review; IP-secure data handling
🚗 Automotive (IATF 16949)
- IATF 16949:2016 certified — mandatory for Tier 1/2 supply chains
- PPAP Level 1–3 documentation support
- SPC monitoring with X-bar/R control charts on critical characteristics
- Cpk ≥1.33 production gate; Cpk ≥1.67 preferred for safety-critical
- FMEA, control plan, and MSA (Gauge R&R) available
🏥 Medical Devices
- ISO 13485:2016 certified medical device QMS
- 316L stainless steel food/medical contact grade — passivation + electropolishing
- Cleanroom-compatible packaging available on request
- Batch traceability documentation for FDA/CE regulatory submissions
- Design history file (DHF) compatible documentation
⚙️ Industrial & Electronics
- ISO 9001:2015 quality system for general industrial programs
- In-process inspection at defined intervals — no 100% final-only inspection
- CMM inspection reports available for production precision parts
- Anodizing color control per approved samples for consumer-visible parts
- RoHS-compatible materials available for electronics supply chains
Frequently Asked Questions: Quality Assurance
What quality certifications does Great Light hold?
Great Light holds three simultaneous ISO certifications: ISO 9001:2015 (general quality management system covering all manufacturing operations), IATF 16949:2016 (automotive supply chain quality — mandatory for Tier 1/2 automotive suppliers), and ISO 13485:2016 (medical device manufacturing quality). All three are current and maintained through annual independent third-party audits. Certificate copies are available on request.
How does Great Light verify CNC machined part dimensions?
Our uses in-house Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) equipment with ±0.001mm measurement uncertainty per ISO 14253-1 to verify all critical dimensions. For production runs, automated CMM programs written during First Article Inspection are re-run on every subsequent inspection lot, ensuring measurement repeatability and eliminating operator-to-operator variation. 100% of critical features are CMM-verified on precision orders before shipment. The CMM operates in a temperature-controlled room at 20°C ±1°C per ISO 1 international reference conditions.
What quality documentation does Great Light provide with every order?
Every Great Light order includes a Certificate of Conformance (COC) as standard. All metal orders include Material Test Reports (MTR). On request: First Article Inspection (FAI) reports per AS9102B, CMM dimensional inspection reports, surface finish certificates, heat treatment certificates, plating/anodizing certificates, and PPAP documentation (Levels 1–3) for automotive programs. All documents reference the specific lot number, purchase order, and drawing revision. Records are retained for a minimum of 10 years for aerospace and medical orders.
What is Great Light's process capability (Cpk) standard for production parts?
We requires a minimum Process Capability Index of Cpk ≥1.33 before production approval for any critical characteristic. This is equivalent to a defect rate below 64 parts per million (4σ) at the tolerance limits. For safety-critical or medical device applications, Cpk ≥1.67 (5σ, 0.6 ppm defect rate) is targeted. Out-of-control SPC signals trigger a production stop and root cause investigation before any potentially non-conforming parts are produced. Cpk data is available upon request for production programs.
Does Great Light support PPAP submissions for automotive production programs?
Yes. Under GL Proto’s IATF 16949:2016 certification, PPAP documentation is available for Levels 1 through 3 per AIAG PPAP 4th Edition. Documentation includes Part Submission Warrant (PSW), dimensional results on sample parts, material certifications, process capability (Cpk) data, control plan, and PFMEA. Contact our engineering team at order placement to confirm PPAP requirements and documentation schedule — PPAP preparation is most efficient when initiated before first article production.
白
Engineering Note from Mr. Bai, Senior Applications Engineer
The quality protocol described on this page is not aspirational — it is the documented, audited system
that governed the production of Great Light 20,000+ delivered projects. When an aerospace buyer asks for
our AS9102 FAI capability or an automotive engineer asks for PPAP Level 3, the answer is the same:
yes, and we have done it before. Our three simultaneous ISO certifications exist because we serve
regulated supply chains simultaneously — and the documentation infrastructure required by each is
already in place, not built to order.
“Quality is not something we add to a part after it is machined.
It is what we build into the process before the first tool makes contact.”
— Mr. Bai, Senior Applications Engineer, Great Light
Ready to Source CNC Parts Backed by Documented Quality?
Every Great Light order ships with COC and MTR as standard. FAI, CMM report, PPAP, and full
documentation packages available on request. Submit your drawing — our engineering team
responds within 4–8 business hours.
ISO 9001 · IATF 16949 · ISO 13485 · No MOQ · In-house CMM · 10-year record retention
All uploads SSL-encrypted · NDA available · Certificate copies provided on request
🏭
In-House CMM Lab
±0.001mm uncertainty
📜
Triple ISO Certified
9001 · IATF16949 · 13485
📊
Cpk ≥1.33 Standard
<64 ppm defect rate
🔒
10-Year Records
Aerospace & medical