Process Handover, External Processing and Release

Consider a batch of polished parts sent to an external electroplater and returned in two deliveries. When the first delivery returns, its quantity and finish must be checked before it can be accepted. This page describes the records required for dispatch, receipt, inspection and final release.

At an internal handover

The sender records the batch, product, revision, body or component, quantity, current operation and quality status. The receiver counts the parts and records the quantity received, the time and any damage or discrepancy. Until receipt is confirmed, the parts remain unconfirmed in transit.

Before sending outside

Confirm the operation, product, colour and revision; quantity, weight and packing unit; drawing, sample or finish requirement; rack points, masking and scratch protection; due date and split-return plan; and how abnormal results will be reported. For plating, PVD or coating, also confirm substrate condition, pretreatment, polishing quality, rack position, coverage and colour sample.

Surface finishing cannot repair casting porosity, burrs, impact damage or polishing waves. Record the condition before dispatch so that any later defect can be investigated objectively.

When work returns in parts

Treat each return as a separate lot. First reconcile the product, batch, quantity, weight, packing and delivery note. Then perform the required appearance, dimensional, colour, adhesion, corrosion or functional inspection. “Returned” describes location only; “accepted” means the defined inspection has passed.

Keep these cases distinct:

• normal processed return: the external operation is complete;
• unprocessed return: the agreed operation was not done;
• abnormal return: a quality or quantity problem was found;
• rework return: corrected material has returned and must be inspected again;
• replenishment or remanufacture: extra quantity replaces shortage or scrap.

The basic quantity check is:

Outstanding outside quantity = confirmed sent − confirmed returned − unprocessed or cancelled quantity

Conditions for final release

Release the batch only when the accepted quantity, body and components, critical dimensions, appearance and colour, function, inspection records, packing, labels and open issues are all consistent. A concession is an explicitly authorised decision to accept a stated deviation and requires a documented approval record.

Before closing the batch, confirm that no quantity at an external processor, inspection queue, outstanding return, rework or replenishment remains unexplained. Warehouse receipt and shipping may be later milestones.

For inspection methods, see Hardware inspection and testing. For abnormal-result handling, see Quality traceability and corrective action.

Related topics

Production planning and readiness · Shop-floor flow and progress control · Electroplating