Our coated housing samples came back with faint bands after a UR5e tooling trial. Supplier proposes softer pads. How do I agree an inspection method before buying another set?
Agree the viewing conditions and acceptable finish with whoever accepts the product. Otherwise you can buy progressively softer pads while two people continue inspecting under completely different lights.
That's our problem exactly. Packing sees nothing under ceiling lights; the finishing lead finds the bands under a bench lamp. Neither method is documented.
Have them inspect the same handled and unhandled samples together. You need agreement on the product requirement before the tooling supplier can demonstrate compliance with it.
Mark the sample identities somewhere outside the inspected surface. And include an unhandled one without telling everyone which it is; expectations can make people very talented at finding marks.
Also require holding and release trials for any pad change. A nicer surface after a stationary squeeze won't tell you whether the housing slips or sticks during the intended transfer.
We've booked a joint inspection with finishing and packing. Thanks for the sample idea. I'll make the next tooling request cover release as well as visible bands.
Bring a few examples near the acceptance boundary, too. Agreeing that one pristine part is good and one ruined part is bad leaves the everyday argument untouched.