QUALITY MANAGEMENT
Quality Controls
Documented processes, analytical verification, and defined quality checkpoints from incoming raw materials through finished product release.
Lorad manufactures specialty inorganic materials for applications where chemistry, phase, purity, particle characteristics, and batch consistency can be critical.
QUALITY BUILT INTO THE PROCESS
Control begins before the batch is made.
Quality is established through defined requirements, controlled manufacturing, process documentation, appropriate analytical testing, and final release review.
Defined Specifications
Requirements are established before production begins.
Process Traceability
Materials, operating conditions, and batch records are documented.
Release Verification
Finished material is evaluated against applicable acceptance criteria.
ISO 9001:2015 Certified
A formal quality management system supports controlled processes, documentation, corrective action, and continual improvement.
Documented Manufacturing
Production procedures include defined operating conditions, process records, and quality checkpoints appropriate to the material.
Analytical Verification
Incoming materials, in process samples, and finished products can be evaluated using analytical methods selected for the specification.
QUALITY FROM START TO FINISH
Quality control begins before synthesis starts
Consistent finished material depends on more than testing the final batch. Lorad begins with the selection and qualification of raw materials and suppliers, then applies documented controls throughout synthesis, processing, finishing, and release.
The specific controls used vary by material and process. A high purity sulfide, multicomponent oxide, optical material, or engineered powder may each require different checkpoints and analytical methods.
The objective is the same in every case, produce material that conforms to the agreed specification and can be reproduced consistently from batch to batch.
Customer Defined Requirements
Quality requirements can be based on a Lorad product specification or on customer specific criteria for composition, phase, purity, particle size, morphology, packaging, or other measurable properties.
Requirements should be defined before production so that the appropriate controls and release testing can be incorporated into the manufacturing plan.
OUR QUALITY PROCESS
Supplier & Raw Material Review
Evaluate suppliers and precursor materials against the requirements of the intended synthesis and finished product.
Controlled Manufacturing
Manufacture using documented procedures with defined process parameters, material identification, and production records.
In Process Verification
Use appropriate checkpoints during synthesis and processing to identify deviations before the material reaches final release.
Final Testing & Release
Evaluate the finished material against applicable specifications and provide required quality documentation with the shipment.
ANALYTICAL VERIFICATION
Testing selected for the material and specification
No single analytical method can establish the quality of every inorganic material. Lorad selects testing based on the chemistry, process, expected failure modes, and the properties that are important to the customer.
Depending on the material, quality verification may include phase identification, elemental analysis, particle size distribution, process specific measurements, or testing performed by qualified outside laboratories when required.
BATCH DOCUMENTATION
Traceability through the manufacturing process
Material Identification
Raw materials, intermediate materials, and finished products are identified and documented as appropriate to the manufacturing process.
Production Records
Manufacturing records document relevant process information, operating conditions, and quality checkpoints for each production batch.
Release Documentation
Certificates of Analysis and agreed analytical results provide customers with documentation of applicable finished product requirements.
CONSISTENCY & CONTROL
Designed for repeat production
Many Lorad materials are produced repeatedly for customers whose applications depend on consistency from one shipment to the next. Documented procedures and defined process parameters provide the foundation for that repeatability.
When a process changes, analytical results, production observations, and customer feedback can be used to evaluate the effect of that change and determine whether additional controls are appropriate.
This approach also supports the transition of successful materials from development quantities into larger and recurring manufacturing requirements.
ISO 9001:2015
Quality management and continual improvement
Lorad maintains an ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management system. The system provides a structured framework for document control, process consistency, corrective action, management review, and continual improvement across our operations.
RELATED RESOURCES
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