Advance Quality Planning
We utilize Advance Quality Planning (AQP) for new as well as for repeat jobs. Our intent is to identify the best material, the right processing and the most efficient delivery to support fabricator and manufacturer needs.
AQP begins with the very material used to roll the steel tubing. Need it be extraordinarily strong and rigid? Will it be welded or punched? Will it require bending or flattening? How important is the material's surface?
We draw material from major steel mills worldwide. These sources allow Lock Joint Tube to locate and specify steel that combines the necessary characteristics to meet and exceed each customer's expectations.
We produce steel tubing that may come from a variety of chemistries. Among the most commonly used are such low carbon steels as 1008 and 1010. The material can be hot rolled, pickled and oiled, cold rolled, aluminized or galvanized.
When requested, Lock Joint Tube utilizes the appropriate steel to guarantee commercial briteness for chrome and brass plating. It's not uncommon for us to bring a metallurgist into the planning process to specify "fitness for use" properties. Likewise, we also prepare prototype material to assure conformance to customer specifications and manufacturing needs.
Lock Joint Tube produces tubing that ranges in size from 5/8" to over 6" in diameter and in gauges up to and over one-quarter inch thickness. Most commonly, tubing is manufactured into rounds, squares, rectangles and ovals. Yet, it's not uncommon for us to process an order requiring non-standard sizes and shapes to accommodate a distinctive customer specification.
In most instances, we likely will have the necessary tooling on hand to produce your order. If not, our network of suppliers will produce the appropriate tooling to meet exacting tolerances of your material specifications.
Lock Joint Tube is known for its high weld integrity. Inspection and testing are achieved through destructive tests for flattening, crush and flare/flange; non-destructive tests; and special testing for hardness and surface finish measurements. In addition, Lock Joint Tube conducts eddy current, non-destructive weld integrity testing on all eleven of its tube forming mills.
As a QS 9000 and ISO certified organization, Lock Joint Tube continually inspects, records, adjusts and verifies that customer specifications are being met and tolerances are well within the desired standard.