Feature

The secret lives of manufacturing defects

2023 saw a number of high-profile recalls linked to manufacturing defects. Despite technological improvements in the field of quality inspection, many safety-critical industries witnessed an increase in the number of defects and recalls. Here, Zohar Kantor, Chief Revenue Officer of QualiSense, traces how defects enter the manufacturing process and avoid detection.

02/04/2024 17:04:20

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It is now over a decade since the largest recall in the history of the automotive industry. In 2013, several automakers began significant recalls, due to defective Takata airbags. In 2017, the Japanese parts manufacturer was forced to file for bankruptcy when the amount of money due in compensation was more than was required for its survival.

Despite the costs of recalls and the strenuous efforts of quality managers and other production professionals, manufacturing defects are still wreaking havoc a decade on.

In May 2023, for example, more than 30 million cars were included in an airbag recall issued by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Given the costs of defects and the efforts made by manufacturers to detect them, how are so many defects able to avoid detection?

Read the full article in DPA's April issue

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.