Quality is at the heart of every successful production process, especially in industries with high requirements such as high-pressure technology, aerospace and nuclear technology.
At Breitenfeld Edelstahl AG, quality assurance is of central importance in order to meet the high demands of our customers.
Breitenfeld provides an insight into the processes, challenges and innovations used for quality assurance in forged products.
Quality assurance plays a paramount role at Breitenfeld. Mario Kalkbrenner, quality manager for forged products, emphasizes: "Especially in industries with high requirements, even minor deviations can have serious consequences. It is therefore crucial that quality assurance is comprehensive."
Quality standards are not only a key to meeting customer requirements, but also an essential factor for market positioning.
The demands placed on materials and their properties are becoming increasingly complex. Only by meeting the highest quality standards can these be fulfilled and the company's position as a reliable partner consolidated.
Quality assurance also helps to strengthen customer confidence in the long term. By consistently complying with standards and communicating clearly on quality issues, Breitenfeld positions itself as a reliable partner.
Customers benefit directly from the seamless quality assurance, as they receive a high degree of security and reliability in the cooperation.
Quality assurance covers every step of production:
In addition, Breitenfeld documents all steps digitally to ensure traceability. The comprehensive documentation also facilitates cooperation with external certification bodies.
Breitenfeld has a large number of certificates that guarantee compliance with international standards. These include, among others
These standards are subject to constant updates. Standards are updated almost every year, which requires ongoing adaptation of processes.
Certifications such as EN 9100 give Breitenfeld access to demanding markets such as the aerospace industry, while other standards ensure international competitiveness.
Breitenfeld Edelstahl AG uses numerous non-destructive testing methods, including
These test methods ensure that the highest safety standards are met, even in critical applications such as nuclear technology or aviation.
Tensile tests and notched bar impact tests are essential elements of the destructive test methods.
These proven methods guarantee that the materials meet the required mechanical properties. Additional tests, such as corrosion tests, are used for specific requirements in the oil and gas industry.
All testing devices are checked annually by external testing laboratories such as ZwickRoell, Spectro and Latzke. In addition, internal checks are carried out to ensure measurement accuracy. This ensures consistent results and minimizes sources of error.
Complete documentation is created for every forged product, from the raw material to the end product. Each product has a unique identification number so that the entire production process can be traced. Material certificates and test reports are essential for customer acceptance.
The ability to trace the entire production process offers customers additional security. Potential weak points can be identified and rectified quickly.
Customers benefit from increased transparency and the ability to precisely implement specific requirements.
Breitenfeld attaches great importance to meeting customer-specific requirements. This includes
Despite this flexibility, all procedures must comply with the specified standards. The aim is to ensure the highest quality even for individual requirements.
For customers, this means customized solutions that are precisely tailored to their needs.
The variety of products is one of the biggest challenges. From simple carbon steels to high-alloy materials, Breitenfeld covers a broad spectrum. Even simple steels often have to meet the highest requirements.
For example, applications in nuclear technology require extremely low levels of trace elements, while specific requirements are placed on toughness and strength in aviation.
Monthly quality meetings between the departments serve to analyze frequently occurring problems and implement measures for improvement. These meetings not only promote problem solving, but also cross-departmental cooperation.
A complete digitalization of quality assurance is being planned and implemented. Potential in the use of artificial intelligence has also been identified: AI could help to analyze large amounts of data and identify trends in quality at an earlier stage.
Other innovations could include automated testing systems that are supplemented by AI-supported systems. These technologies have the potential to further increase efficiency and accuracy.
The short decision-making paths at Breitenfeld make all the difference. "We are small and family-run, which allows us to respond quickly and flexibly to customer needs," emphasizes Kalkbrenner.
Breitenfeld's quality promise is: "We are not the fastest and not the cheapest. But our customers get exactly what they want."
The close cooperation between sales, quality assurance and production strengthens customer loyalty. Regular audits and feedback meetings ensure that customer expectations are always met.
Quality assurance at Breitenfeld is the foundation for maintaining the highest standards. It guarantees consistently high quality through precise testing, comprehensive documentation and consistent improvement of processes.
This not only provides customers with security and reliability, but also strengthens long-term cooperation. With a clear focus on innovation and continuous development, Breitenfeld remains a strong partner for demanding industries.
The planned digitalization and integration of new technologies such as AI will further optimize processes and position Breitenfeld as an innovative provider in the market. Customers can be confident that Breitenfeld not only meets current requirements, but also offers future-oriented solutions.
For customers, this means not only the highest quality, but also the certainty that their specific requirements are always in focus.
This combination of innovation, precision and customer proximity makes Breitenfeld a reliable partner in demanding markets.