| Product Specification Control | Published drawings should define cutter diameter, chamfer angle, cutting length, shank diameter, overall length, material, coating, and dimensional tolerances. | Controlled product drawings, revision history, inspection standards, and a completed sample inspection report. | 5 = complete, controlled documentation; 3 = partially documented; 1 = no controlled specification. | 15% | — |
| Raw Material Traceability | Each production lot should be traceable to the raw-material batch. Carbide or high-speed-steel certificates should identify grade, batch number, and supplier. | Material certificates, incoming inspection records, batch labels, and traceability procedures. EN 10204 Type 3.1 certificates may be requested where applicable. | 5 = complete lot traceability and certificates; 3 = partial records; 1 = undocumented material source. | 12% | — |
| Dimensional Accuracy | The supplier should demonstrate measurement capability for critical dimensions, including cutting diameter, shank diameter, chamfer angle, and overall length. Acceptance limits must be agreed on the drawing. | First-article inspection report, calibrated micrometers, optical measuring equipment, tool presetters, and measurement records linked to the production lot. | 5 = all critical dimensions meet agreed tolerances; 3 = minor variation requiring correction; 1 = repeated out-of-tolerance results. | 15% | — |
| Runout and Balance Control | For rotating tools, runout requirements should be specified according to tool diameter, holder system, spindle speed, and application. A practical sample target for precision small-diameter tools is often ≤0.02 mm at the specified inspection point, subject to drawing approval. | Runout test records, inspection setup details, dial indicators or optical systems, and sample test results at the required gauge length. | 5 = measured and consistently within agreed limit; 3 = measurement available but inconsistent; 1 = no runout control. | 12% | — |
| Grinding and Manufacturing Capability | The facility should have CNC tool-grinding equipment, suitable diamond grinding wheels, controlled coolant systems, and a documented setup process for repeat production. | Machine list, equipment maintenance records, process flow chart, production photographs or audit access, and sample capability-study results. | 5 = complete in-house process and stable repeatability; 3 = partial outsourcing; 1 = mainly trading or uncontrolled outsourcing. | 15% | — |
| Edge Quality and Surface Finish | Cutting edges should be free from harmful chips, cracks, excessive burrs, grinding burns, and coating defects. Surface-finish requirements should be defined for functional areas. | Microscope inspection images, edge-quality criteria, surface-finish records, nonconformance samples, and inspection frequency. | 5 = documented visual and microscopic inspection; 3 = basic visual inspection; 1 = no formal edge-quality criteria. | 10% | — |
| Coating and Post-Processing Control | If coated, the tool should have a defined coating type, intended workpiece material, application range, and coating-quality inspection method. Coating thickness and adhesion should be controlled according to the coating supplier’s technical specification. | Coating technical data sheet, lot certificate, coating inspection report, subcontractor controls, and coating defect criteria. | 5 = documented and lot-controlled coating process; 3 = certificate only; 1 = unspecified coating process. | 8% | — |
| Quality Management System | A documented quality management system should cover incoming inspection, process inspection, final inspection, corrective action, document control, and customer complaints. ISO 9001 certification is useful evidence but should not replace an audit. | Valid certificate, certification scope, internal audit records, corrective-action reports, control plans, and inspection procedures. | 5 = certified and effectively implemented; 3 = documented but weakly implemented; 1 = informal quality control. | 8% | — |
| Testing and Application Validation | Performance should be validated using the intended workpiece material, machine, spindle speed, feed rate, depth of cut, and coolant conditions. One universal cutting-speed value is not suitable for every application. | Application test report, recommended cutting parameters, tool-life results, workpiece samples or photographs, and failure-analysis records. | 5 = application-specific testing with repeatable results; 3 = basic sample testing; 1 = only catalog claims. | 8% | — |
| Capacity and Delivery Reliability | The supplier should confirm monthly capacity, standard and customized lead times, safety-stock policy, production-planning method, and contingency arrangements for critical operations. | Capacity plan, anonymized on-time-delivery data, production schedule, lead-time commitment, and documented business-continuity plan. | 5 = reliable delivery records and backup capacity; 3 = acceptable but limited visibility; 1 = frequent delays or unclear capacity. | 5% | — |
| Communication and Technical Support | Technical questions should receive clear responses covering tool geometry, machine compatibility, cutting parameters, inspection results, and corrective actions. | Response-time records, engineering contact details, quotation clarity, technical recommendations, and corrective-action response samples. | 5 = technically precise and responsive; 3 = adequate commercial communication; 1 = slow or nontechnical responses. | 5% | — |
| Total Weight | 100% | — |