Demanding applications require special performance: Quality thinking guides Kilkanen’s operations from material procurement to documentation
Kilkanen, part of the Leinolat Group, is known for the precision machining of demanding components. The components Kilkanen supplies for the marine and energy industries can be located in critical parts of an engine under intense stress or immersed in water surrounded by challenging conditions. In such environments, even a minor error or measurement deviation can cause significant problems. That is why quality thinking guides Kilkanen's operations – from material procurement to documentation.
Kilkanen's quality assurance process begins during the RFQ phase. Kilkanen assesses the tools required for production and identifies any challenging work phases as a team. This ensures that the component can be manufactured according to customer requirements.
Kilkanen purhaces certified materials for manufacturing from reliable material suppliers with whom they have a strong cooperation background. The components are machined using, among others, Mazaki multi-function machines in new, modern production facilities. The machines are operated by skilled employees who know their tasks and understand the quality requirements of the components.
Continuous quality assurance with pride, expertise and top-level measuring equipment
Continuous, day-to-day quality assurance is a part of every machine operator's job description. Any deviations are carefully analyzed and their root causes corrected. Quality performance is constantly carefully monitored. In addition to continuous quality assurance and measurements, components also undergo 3D measuring.
"With 3D measuring, we can ensure that the components meet even the most critical requirements. We extensively conduct 3D measuring in our daily work and genuinely utilize the procedure correctly", says Quality Engineer Harri Salonen.
According to Salonen, tight collaboration with the customer starting from the prototype phase is essential. In terms of quality, it is crucial to consider the customer's critical requirements and the ability to verify them.
"Although we have well-planned and extensive processes, quality control in itself is not the foundation of our quality performance. The foundation is our expertise and competence. Producing high quality is a team effort and something that our entire staff continuously works towards, with the right attitude and a sense of pride. That is the starting point for everything", says CEO Petri Leppinen.
Kilkanen is capable of very demanding documentation – future IATF standard a significant competitive advantage
Kilkanen's quality thinking also extends to documentation. The company can produce both PQAP and APQP documentation, which can be so comprehensive that it even exceeds customers' documentation requirements. In the future, Kilkanen plans on taking their operations one step further: the company is currently working towards an IATF certification, which sets multiple extremely high standards related to quality performance, quality assurance and operational processes for companies manufacturing products for the automotive industry.
"The IATF-16949 focuses on continuous improvement from the perspective of customer-specific requirements. We have already done a lot of development work for the new standards and will actively continue doing so", Salonen concludes.
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