Customer's Original Email

Our team created a video for you today, please download here: xxxxxxxxx
Can you please download and watch together with your engineers and also with the people who made the QC for our XXX shipments? Please study the video carefully together.
To assemble in our XXX, we always need 1 bag "XXX" and 1 bag "V2 XXX" or "V3 XXX", etc.
And based on the problems shown in the video, our team needs much more time for installation than planned, because they must fix many quality problems.
Is it possible that you send us spare parts for the main problem parts?
So that our team can replace the problem parts and work faster in our daily work here?
As you know, we will send you a second order for XXX parts soon.
We must make sure that these problems are fixed in the second batch.
In our long cooperation, we have only seldom had quality issues and problems with tolerances.
But here—as shown in the video—we have problems that we must fix together.

REKO's First Response

Dear XXX,
Sorry for the late reply! Please check our reply below. If I missed anything in the video, please let me know and we will update you.

1. We broke the sample in our stock; the angle for the items below that we tested is 45°±1°.
The internal surface has a vibration pattern, so it is not so smooth when moving. We could deal with it in the next production.

drawing_angle_check

2. During the production process, the deformation of the extrusion leads to holes of different sizes. It can be avoided in the next production.
Could you check the shipping cost to China for us? Or how much would it cost if you modify them locally?
That way, we can evaluate which way is more economical to deal with these parts.

part_assembly_adjust

3. The pins are standard parts; they normally have a tolerance of +/-0.1mm.
Or what tolerance do you request for the pin? After we buy them from the market, we can inspect each one.

part_inspection_measure

4. The 2.48mm hole below does not mention tolerance; we apply the normal +/-0.1mm tolerance according to your previous feedback.
Please help check again, and see if the pin issue causes the assembly problem?

hole_position_tolerance

5. For the ∅2mm hole, we conducted 100% inspection before shipment. We followed the drawing tolerance requirement of +/-0.05mm.
Below is the inspection data for your reference. Are all 1152 pieces unable to be assembled? Let us know what we should do next.

inspection_data_report

6. For this item, the angle issue still needs more time to study. We will update you later. Sorry for keeping you waiting!

stock_check_sheet

7. There is a step after production for the area below. It can be avoided in the next production.
Could you also check the shipping cost to China for us? Or how much would it cost if you modify them locally?

production_step_adjust

8. The drawing requires M3x8mm; normally the thread length is 8mm. All are the same as the samples we sent you before. Below is for your information (FYI).

part_specification_drawing
Customer's Second Reply

Dear Nicole,
We need to rework the available parts we received, so the build time for a XXX is now 30 minutes longer to fix the parts.
We cannot send any of these parts back to you. But we strongly request that these issues be fixed in the second batch!
1. Remove the vibration pattern on this part, and make it smooth like the others. The angle itself is not a problem.
2. Avoid this issue in the second batch, so we do not need to fix the part.
3. Please make sure that the pins have a maximum outside diameter of 2.5mm; otherwise, we will have to update all the individual parts.
4. Yes, the problem is pin-based. If the pin diameter is less than 2.5mm, we can make the hole 2.45mm +/- 0.05mm.
5. This could also be pin-related; we will measure different pins today and write back to you.
6. OK.
7. It is unacceptable that you did not notice this after production, so we need to file such parts down. Avoid this in the second batch.
8. Yes, as discussed in the video, some manufacturers use the thread as the length, while others measure it with the head. So, if you measure without the head, then we will change to M2x6mm.

Customer's Third Reply

Dear Nicole and Sugar,
All parts from the XXX project batch 1 have been delivered, and we now have them in use in our daily business.
During this process, we realized some problems, which we have already discussed with Nicole.
XXX will not ask for spare parts, a refund, or similar—we just want to discuss some points with Nicole and request an improved situation for batch/order 2.
This order 2 will be placed soon. We recommend starting/releasing it after REKO's move to the new location is completed and after the last points of open issues are resolved.
But we now need your urgent help.
The substandard parts cost us hours of working time each day; we have to adjust many parts by hand. We do not have CNC machines. We make the adjustments by hand with hand tools.
This extra time is a problem for us—we have insufficient resources for the extra time we need here.
So we would ask for your help to produce the 3 products listed below and attached for us very quickly.
We would ask for 3000 pieces of each, and of course, we will pay for them in the usual way, no need to worry. But we need the parts fast so that our daily work can run with better time efficiency.
Could you please arrange for production of these 3 parts to start shortly, and maybe send a partial shipment of about 200-300 pieces by express next week?
So that we can perform our daily work better.
This would be an excellent help for our situation.
Now, the request from our team:
++++++++
To work with the current XXX parts we received, we made some minor updates to parts to handle the tolerances better. We also added a new washer made from POM.
Could you please check if you can send us the attached parts as quickly as possible? These parts would make our work much easier.

REKO replied: An agreement was finally reached.

Dear XXX,

1. See the two attached contracts, totaling 3000 pieces with 300 pieces free of charge.
We will try to ship 300 pieces on April 3rd; the delivery time for the remaining 2700 pieces is expected to be in early May (May 1st to 5th is our public holiday). We will try to send them out as soon as possible if we can.
2. For these 3000 pieces, should we package them in the normal polybag we used before? Or do you have any special packaging requests?
3. Enclosed is the "Quality Issue & Solution" file. It is easier for you to check all details.
For the second production run, please provide the tolerance requirements for the pins (HPA-10-P). This time, we will conduct 100% inspection of the pin diameters.
4. For the second production run, we will remake 600 pieces of Tappetplate (HPA-V6-TP) for you with the correct angle of 90°.
We are very sorry for the quality issue. Thank you very much for your patience and the hard work of your team!!

What We Improved From This Case:

  • Clearer Tolerance Confirmation Before Production
  • Enhanced Process Control for Critical Features
  • Improved Cross-Team Communication
  • Stronger Pre-Shipment Inspection Standards
  • Standardized Feedback & Improvement Loop
  • At REKO, every challenge becomes an opportunity to improve.
    We believe that transparent communication and continuous improvement are the foundation of long-term partnerships.

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