Quality and qualification
Qualify the finished copper part, not only the build
A defensible release plan carries material identity, machine and process control, post-processing, inspection and functional acceptance through to the finished part. The required evidence should scale with failure consequence, geometry, service environment and production maturity.
Evidence library version 2026-07-16. Public values remain source-specific references, not universal part guarantees.
- Quality gates
- 4
- Evidence groups
- 6
- RFQ input groups
- 10
- Final accepted state
- 1
Qualification chain
Four gates from incoming material to release
- 01
Material identity and feedstock
Lock the grade, chemistry, powder or wire lot, oxygen limits, reuse rules, storage, and traceability.
- 02
Build and process control
Record the qualified machine, configuration, parameter revision, atmosphere, calibration, build layout, and witness coupons.
- 03
Post-processing and dimensional state
Define stress relief, solution/ageing, HIP, support removal, machining, surface treatment, cleaning, and plating before testing.
- 04
Finished-part acceptance
Specify dimensional inspection, CT or sectioning, conductivity or thermal testing, pressure/leak testing, cleanliness, and documentation.
Acceptance evidence
Select methods by the failure mode they can detect
Material and feedstock
Chemistry, oxygen, powder or wire lot, reuse history, particle distribution, certificates and traceability.
Internal integrity
Qualified density method, metallography, CT or sectioning, pore morphology, minimum-wall and channel evidence.
Functional properties
Electrical conductivity or resistivity, thermal diffusivity/conductivity, mechanical properties and temperature-dependent state.
Pressure and flow
Proof or burst pressure, helium or fluid leak rate, flow distribution, pressure drop, flushing and retained-particle checks.
Dimensions and surfaces
Datums, GD&T, sealing faces, roughness, internal-wall state, machining records and final cleanliness.
Release documentation
Build and heat-treatment records, inspection reports, concessions, serialization, packaging and change control.
RFQ readiness
Inputs that prevent an incomplete quotation
Unknown items can be marked for engineering review. Hiding an operating condition or acceptance requirement until after quotation is a larger risk than stating that it is not yet defined.
| Input group | Information to provide or resolve |
|---|---|
| Geometry | STEP or Parasolid model, drawing revision, units, and permission to modify the design |
| Critical dimensions | GD&T, datums, sealing faces, machined features, and acceptance state |
| Material | Exact copper grade or the operating requirements needed to select one |
| Thermal or electrical target | Conductivity, thermal resistance, current, temperature rise, test method, direction, and temperature |
| Mechanical and temperature duty | Loads, pressure, clamp force, cycling, fatigue, creep, and service temperature |
| Internal passages | Minimum sections, length, turns, powder exits, cleanliness, flushing, and inspection access |
| Fluid duty | Medium, flow, inlet conditions, pressure drop, design/proof pressure, leakage limit, and corrosion constraints |
| Post-processing | Heat treatment, HIP, machining, polishing, plating, prohibited media, and final surface requirements |
| Inspection | CT region/resolution, density method, dimensional report, conductivity, leak/pressure method, coupons, and sampling |
| Commercial scope | Prototype and annual quantities, milestones, target date, packaging, shipping, confidentiality, and documentation |
Apply the evidence to a real part
Send the drawing and acceptance needs
A quotation is based on the actual geometry, material state, quantity, operating duty, finishing and inspection scope.