Power Transformer Factory Audits
Transformer Procurement
It can be a challenging but critical process to ensure the successful manufacturing and delivery of a good quality transformer. The first step is the proper selection of the manufacturer. No matter the size of the organization, each factory has its unique capabilities (design expertise, manufacturing capability), and experience. The purpose of the audit to a new supplier is to evaluate the capability of their individual departments, including: engineering, purchasing, quality assurance, production, testing and field service. The goal is the delivery for a factory tested transformer without failures, installed without delays that will provide many years of reliable service. A successful project will meet schedules, control cost and minimize operational problems.
Why Conduct a Factory Audit?
A factory audit determines the overall quality, technical competency and manufacturing capability of each transformer manufacturer being considered and gives some indication of the probable future performance and reliability of the transformers produced at each specific manufacturing location. Predicting future performance of the end product is best addressed by assessing its overall quality during design and construction stages. Identifying the engineering, manufacturing and quality risks associated with each supplier and the viability of mitigating those risks during the design and construction process are critical elements of the transformer procurement process. An individual factory’s ranking is determined relative to its ability to provide a reliable product as specified by the purchaser’s technical requirements.
Performing the Audit
As part of our factory audit program, Doble visits each client selected factory and evaluates ten defined metrics that provide a comprehensive evaluation of the organization: Quality, Technology, Design/Engineering, Purchasing & Suppliers, Manufacturing, Testing, Transportation, Site Works, Commercial and Performance Indicators.
These ten defined metrics are further refined into twenty-one proprietary principal elements for scoring. The final scores are the output of the audit and can be used in a comparative analysis with a group of factories. In the end, a final comparative analysis is performed and categorized into the three main focus areas:
- Technology, Engineering and Design
- Quality, Purchasing, Manufacturing and Testing
- Site Works, Customer Support and Performance Indicators
Doble has a team of transformer experts who regularly conduct factory audits on behalf of our customers. Rely on our experts as an extension of your team when you need these and other critical services. Contact Doble for more information about our transformer consulting and testing services.
