American Laser Fabrication

About ALF

• Founded: 2003
• Location: Oceanside, California
• Company Type: Family-owned precision laser fabrication and manufacturing

Our Services

• Laser Cutting (Mitsubishi CO2 laser systems)
• CNC Press Brake Forming (10-foot bed, 135 ton capacity)
• MIG & TIG Welding
• CAD/CAM Design & Programming

Materials We Work With

• Stainless Steel
• Carbon Steel
• Alloy Steels
• Aluminum

ALF Quality Policy

ISO 9001:2015 Certification

• ALF is ISO 9001:2015 certified (excluding design)
• ISO 9001 is the international standard for Quality Management Systems
• Certification demonstrates our commitment to quality, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement
• All employees are responsible for maintaining ISO compliance

Customer Focus Principles

• Requirements Determined: We understand exactly what the customer needs before starting work
• Requirements Understood: Everyone involved in the job knows what success looks like
• Requirements Met: We deliver exactly what was promised, on time, to specification
• Enhancement of Customer Satisfaction: We continuously improve our processes to exceed expectations

Communication & Continuous Improvement

ALF holds Friday lunch meetings to discuss quality issues, share lessons learned, celebrate wins, and ensure everyone is aligned on customer requirements and process improvements.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements

• Safety Glasses: Required at all times in the production area
• Ear Plugs: Required when in the factory for 20+ minutes continuously
• Gloves: Appropriate for the task (cut-resistant, heat-resistant, etc.)
• Steel-Toed Shoes: Required in all production and warehouse areas

Work Environment Categories

4 Levels of ALF Documentation

Document Control Procedure: QOP-07-01

This procedure governs how all documents and records are created, updated, approved, distributed, and archived.

Creating/Updating Documents

• Identification: Each document has a unique ID and revision level
• Format: Standardized templates and numbering systems
• Review/Approval: Documents reviewed by Quality Manager and approved before release

Record Requirements

• Legible: Must be readable and clear
• Identifiable: Clearly labeled with job number, part number, date, etc.
• Retrievable: Filed systematically so they can be found when needed

External Documents

Customer drawings, specifications, and standards from outside sources must be identified and controlled to ensure we're working from the latest approved version.

Order Review Process

• All orders and amendments confirmed to customer in writing
• QOP-08-01: Determining Product Requirements procedure
• QOP-08-02: Order Review procedure with checklist
• Review conducted before commitment to the customer

What We Review Before Commitment

• Customer Requirements: Product specifications, quantities, delivery dates
• Delivery Capability: Can we meet the requested timeline?
• Statutory/Regulatory Requirements: Legal and compliance obligations
• Implied Requirements: Requirements not stated but necessary for intended use

Managing Changes

When customer requirements change:

• Changes are documented in writing
• All relevant persons are notified
• Order review is conducted again to verify capability

Customer Communication Includes

• Product information and inquiries
• Contract and order handling
• Feedback and complaints
• Customer property management
• Contingency actions when needed

Controlled Production Conditions

• Documented Information: Work instructions, drawings, specifications available
• Monitoring Resources: Equipment maintained and calibrated
• Competent Persons: Trained operators performing work

Equipment Maintenance

• Equipment maintained per manufacturer recommendations
• Maintenance records kept in office area
• Preventive maintenance schedule followed

In-Process Inspection

• Verification checks performed for obvious defects
• If nonconformance is found, product is identified and segregated
• Continue monitoring throughout production

Identification & Traceability

• Identification: Part number, serial number, or batch number used throughout all stages
• Traceability: Controlled unique identification with documented info retained

Customer Property

• Identify, verify, protect, and safeguard customer property
• Confidentiality of customer intellectual property required
• Lost/damaged property: report immediately, record in file

Preservation

• Careful handling to prevent damage
• Suitable packaging for protection
• Uncongested storage to avoid mix-ups
• Pre-Production Planning: QOP-08-05

Approved Supplier List Criteria

• Product Quality: Meets our standards consistently
• Pricing: Competitive and fair
• Product Availability: Reliable stock and capacity
• On-Time Delivery: Meets promised delivery dates
• Responsiveness: Communicates effectively and resolves issues quickly

Supplier Selection & Approval

• QOP-08-03: Purchasing procedure for supplier selection and approval
• Supplier re-evaluation every 3 years using Re-Evaluation Checklist
• SCAR (Supplier Corrective Action Request) process for tracking issues

Incoming Inspection

• All incoming material and product inspected before incorporation into final product
• Verification that it meets our quality standards
• Nonconforming material is rejected or returned

External Provider Control

• External providers must not adversely affect our ability to deliver conforming products
• Type and extent of control defined for each provider

Communication to Suppliers

• Requirements clearly communicated
• Approval methods and competence expectations
• Performance monitoring and feedback

Control of Nonconforming Product

• NC product must be identified, segregated, and controlled to prevent unintended use or delivery
• NC products held in segregated NC location, clearly identified at all times
• QOP-10-01: Control of Non-Conforming Output

4 Disposition Options for Nonconforming Product

Corrective Action Process

QOP-10-02: Corrective Action Procedure

• React: Control and correct the nonconformity, deal with consequences
• Evaluate Root Cause: Review/analyze NC, determine causes, check if similar NCs exist or could occur
• Implement Action: Take corrective action to prevent recurrence
• Review Effectiveness: Verify the action worked
• Update Risk Register: If needed based on findings

Verification & Documentation

• Quality Manager verifies corrections after NC outputs are corrected
• Documentation includes: nature of NC, actions taken, concessions obtained, authority deciding action

Monitoring & Measuring Resources

• Suitable type of equipment for the measurement task
• Maintained for continuing fitness for purpose
• Calibrated or verified at specified intervals against traceable standards
• Equipment identified for calibration status
• Protected from adjustments, damage, deterioration that would invalidate calibration

Out-of-Tolerance Discovery

• When equipment is found out of tolerance, investigate validity of previous measurement results
• Take appropriate action on any affected product or process

Internal Audits: QOP-09-02

• Conducted at planned intervals to verify QMS conformity
• Audits verify: QMS conforms to ALF's own requirements AND ISO 9001:2015
• Auditor Independence: Do not audit your own work
• Department heads ensure corrective actions taken without undue delay

Follow-Up Actions

• Verification of actions taken
• Reporting of results to management

Management Review

Periodic review by top management for QMS suitability, effectiveness, and adequacy.

Review Inputs

• Status of actions from previous reviews
• Internal and external issues affecting QMS
• Customer satisfaction feedback
• Quality objectives status
• Nonconformances and corrective actions (NC/CAPA)
• KPIs and performance indicators
• Internal audit results
• Supplier performance
• Resource adequacy
• Risks and opportunities

Review Outputs

• Improvement opportunities identified
• QMS changes needed
• Resource needs

Sources of Improvement

• Employee suggestions (your ideas matter!)
• Internal audits and observations
• Corrective action process
• Management reviews

Quality Policy Drives Improvement

Our commitment to accurate, responsive, reliable, and convenient service means we are always looking for ways to improve.

YOUR Responsibilities

• Follow work instructions and procedures
• Use calibrated tools properly
• Report nonconformances immediately
• Suggest improvements when you see opportunities
• Participate in audits when asked
• Maintain document control (use latest versions)
• Protect customer property and confidential information