A structured factory audit separates capable Dongguan OEM shops from brochure-only sellers. Whether you visit in person or run a video audit, verify machines, inspection, document control and the actual process path for your parts.
A structured factory audit separates capable Dongguan OEM shops from brochure-only sellers. Whether you visit in person or run a video audit, verify machines, inspection, document control and the actual process path for your parts.
Identity and compliance
- Legal name matches quotes, invoices and ISO certificate (ISO 9001:2015).
- Physical address in Chang'an / Dongguan area matches business license.
- Export experience and English engineering contacts named.
Process capability walk-through
| Area | Look for |
|---|---|
| CNC | 3/4/5-axis fleet, maintenance logs, tooling crib |
| Mold shop | EDM, grinders, fitting benches, tryout presses |
| Molding | Tonnage range, dryers, process sheets |
| QC | CMM/optical, gauges, sample retention |
| Warehouse | Mold storage, FIFO, packaging area |
IP, NDA and subcontracting
Ask which steps leave the building (plating, heat treat, texture). Require NDA coverage for those partners. Confirm visitor phone policies in toolrooms for sensitive programs.
Remote audit tips
- Live video with continuous walk—not edited clips only.
- Random machine serial plate photos.
- Open a current job traveler and inspection record.
Auditing HC-Mold
HC-Mold International Co., Limited welcomes capability discussions for CNC, molds, molding and die casting at its Chang'an, Dongguan facility. Contact contact@hc-mold.cn · +86-769-85327002 to arrange reviews. Free DFM; reply ≤12h; quote ≤24h on complete RFQs.
Scoring and follow-up after the audit
Use a simple scorecard: process fit (0–5), metrology (0–5), documentation (0–5), capacity headroom (0–5), IP discipline (0–5). Require corrective actions with dates for any score below threshold before awarding multi-cavity tools. Re-audit if ownership or address changes.
Keep evidence: attendee list, machine photos, sample CoC, and the quotation entity name. Future teams should not rely on tribal memory of “the good factory in Dongguan.”
Video audits cannot fully replace on-site visits for high-risk medical-adjacent or high-IP consumer launches, but they are far better than PDF-only sourcing. HC-Mold can support structured capability calls and, when travel allows, on-site reviews of CNC, mold and molding areas relevant to your BOM.
Buyer checklist before you issue the PO
Confirm drawings are revision-controlled, materials are purchasable in China within your schedule, and inspection methods are agreed in writing. Ambiguity at PO stage becomes cost later. List secondary operations, packaging and labeling so they are not treated as free extras. If multiple factories are bidding, freeze the same specification package for all—do not let informal calls create hidden scope differences.
Align internal stakeholders: industrial design owns cosmetics, engineering owns function, procurement owns total cost and risk. A single RFQ owner should consolidate feedback so the manufacturer receives one voice. For export programs, involve logistics early on Incoterms preference and whether tools or finished goods will cross borders.
factory audit Dongguan CNC mold decisions improve when data is complete. HC-Mold International Co., Limited in Chang'an, Dongguan, Guangdong, China operates under ISO 9001:2015 with free DFM on complete packages, reply within 12 hours, and quote within 24 hours when files, material, volume and finish are clear. Email contact@hc-mold.cn or call +86-769-85327002. Prototype CNC frequently supports MOQ of one piece when geometry is defined.
Documentation to keep in your program folder
- Final quote with assumptions listed line by line.
- NDA and tooling ownership clauses if molds are involved.
- Approved DFM screenshots and CAD revision that matches the PO.
- Sample reports (dimensional and visual) with clear accept/reject notes.
- Packaging photos and carton specs for repeat orders.
FAQ
Is ISO 9001 enough?
It shows a quality system exists; still verify process capability for your part family.
Should I audit before first PO?
For tooling investments, yes. For small CNC prototypes, a lighter document check may suffice.
What if some processes are outsourced?
Map them, approve those vendors, and control file transfer.
Can agents attend audits?
Yes if under NDA and authorized; keep technical questions answered by factory engineers.
Ready to source after a clear factory review? Send your STEP/IGES drawings, material notes, volume band and finish requirements via our RFQ form. HC-Mold International Co., Limited is a direct OEM manufacturer in Chang'an, Dongguan, Guangdong, China (ISO 9001:2015). Contact: contact@hc-mold.cn · +86-769-85327002. Free DFM review; reply ≤12h and quote ≤24h on complete RFQ packages.
Talk to HC-Mold engineering
Free DFM · reply ≤12h · quote ≤24h on complete RFQ · ISO 9001:2015 · Dongguan, China