The procurement process can be divided into 3 basic but important consecutive stages, as follows:
- Vendor Selection
- Gauge Design
- Gauge Manufacture
The importance of the first stage - vendor selection - should not be overlooked, as the capability of the gauge maker in both the design and manufacturing stages will be critical in achieving the desired fixture specification. In order to determine the suitability of possible gauge makers, the requirements to be place on the fixture must be fully understood and minimum (and preferred) standards must have been set in advance. The prospective vendor can then be assessed against a list of criteria and detailed quotes can be requested.
Following the vendor selection process, the gauge design stage requires considerable collaboration between gauge maker and component manufacturer. The component manufacturer must provide all of the relevant and necessary information to the gauge maker, including CAD drawings with locator positions and measurement points, and must clearly specify generic requirements. The two parties must then work together to determine the final specification in order that the gauge maker can design a solution which can be bought-off by the component manufacturer prior to the start of manufacture.
The final stage of the procurement process is the manufacturing stage, which is predominantly the responsibility of the gauge maker, with reviews being carried out by the component manufacturer at set periods within the stage. This is concluded with a thorough functional and dimensional buy-off process, performed at the gauge maker before the fixture is shipped. The buy-off process is particularly important in identifying and resolving problems with the fixture as early as possible, although if the earlier stages are performed in a disciplined manner, the buy-off process should be relatively trouble-free.
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