What Do the Quality Inspectors Do?
The role of quality controller jobs will make certain the products you purchase are in top shape. Whether your position in quality control is as an inspector, a sampler, or a sorter there are certain requirements that each stage of the process must meet. As the consumer becomes more demanding when it comes to quality, a need for stricter guidelines in the manufacturing of products also rises.
The dependability of the company for which the inspectors work depends upon the job they do. If the products they manufacture are not inspected correctly, the company will begin to lose money. So while many people may not think the inspector’s job is important, there are many important reasons for having inspectors.
How Do They Inspect Products?
Depending upon the product, it may be tested in a variety of ways. The inspector may check the product by sight or by handling. There are many items that may have to be checked by smell. Sight may be used in the process of inspecting by many clothing manufacturer inspectors. The items have to be checked for the appropriate color and strength and to make sure the sewing is correct.
There are some items that have to be checked to make sure they work or do what they are intended to do. The inspections can vary from a few seconds to a longer period of time for items that must be tested for proper operation.
Mechanical inspectors may check parts that are manufactured for cars, machines, or tools that are made for a certain purpose. Instead of inspecting every item that comes along they may choose certain ones and test them. This can be a random check of a certain number of the items manufactured. Basing their judgment on the items tested they will determine what percentage passed the inspection.
Inspectors may sometimes use tools during their inspection. There are several tools for measuring that are used. Electrical devices that are manufactured have to be tested with certain tools of the trade to make sure they are getting the proper amount of current in order to function. The items that do not pass inspection are either discarded, sent for repair, or are fixed the spot if it is a minor problem.
The inspector is responsible for logging the results of their inspections for further, use if necessary. There are also procedures that must be followed for identified defects, especially if there is an abnormally high number found. Adjustments may have to be made to machinery that is not functioning properly which is causing the items to be manufactured with defects. This must be caught before the whole inventory is ruined.
Education Requirements
Education requirements for inspector jobs position will depend upon the type of product being tested. The more difficult the inspection job, the more education is required. For simple jobs such as the ones that either pass or fail a product, usually the only requirement is a high school diploma.
For those who may have to perform tests on the items there are usually stricter standards. If a part of the employment requirement includes reading blueprints or using special equipment to perform the tests, the education level is expected to be more substantial. Some employers often like to train their own employees because they are training them to do things their way.
A course in computer-aided design (CAD) may help you to find the job that you want. Another course you may want to take is in laboratory work. In natural or biological sciences the laboratory work you perform may help you to find a job in the pharmaceutical field. Today the world is beginning to use more automated monitoring; however, machines cannot take care of everything. Although they do help immensely, there has to be someone to take care of and monitor the machines.
This is the reason for higher education requirements for those who may not have the experience and general know-how of running the new machines they have installed for inspections. The new systems may include Spectrophotometers and many visual systems that are run by computers. So a working knowledge of computers is a must for these inspectors.
With the need for more quality control on products being manufactured, employers have found they must double their efforts to maintain a product that will not be defective. Many inspectors have advanced within the company and are qualified because they have a working knowledge of the machinery they are inspecting.
Earnings
Earnings of inspectors can range from $10.84 per hour to $18.79 per hour. The high for hourly wages is more than $24.85 per hour and the low is $8.65. The highest inspection rate was paid to those working in the aerospace field of manufacturing. Some make $20.62 and per hour and up.