Whether we manufacture the part ourselves or provide it through one of our supplier partners, our Lab Technicians will test the product in one of our ISO accredited A2LA accredited labs, in order to make sure it meets required specifications and identify potential defects or weaknesses before the product is supplied to the customer. Along with testing product, Lab Technicians analyze data and communicate project status and results while maintaining documentation such as inspection instructions, reporting on test results, and certifications. With a multimillion-dollar investment in state of the art lab equipment, our product testing capabilities range from dimensional inspections to destructive and non-destructive evaluations. Our primary mechanical and chemical test lab is located in Winona, MN, and we operate A2LA labs in China, Taiwan, and Malaysia.
The Quality Assurance team will create and maintain the final technical documents for control, audit, and inspection. They interpret detailed prints, communicate mechanical properties and chemical composition standards, write compliance and technical specifications according to ISO 9001 and customer technical requirements, and certify that finished goods conform to global environmental directives.
In addition to testing products supplied or manufactured by Fastenal, we also employ Engineers and design support to meet the needs of our customers. Sales Engineers will answer questions about fastener standards, provide application troubleshooting, participate in testing to make sure a fastener will function properly for the planned application, all while identifying opportunities for product changes or substitutions that result in improved function and/or cost savings for our customers, in order to support our sales efforts.
Manufacturing Engineers provide technical support to manufacturing, engineering, quality, heat treat and customer service departments. They design tooling, troubleshoot manufacturing processes, and research equipment upgrades and replacements in order to promote and implement continuous improvement programs by providing effective recommendations for operational methods to reduce manufacturing costs and improve product quality.
