Defect Classification
Meaning ~ System for grouping product errors into severity levels that define if a batch is accepted, reworked, or scrapped based on risk and contract limits.
Sorted Lot
Meaning
Refurbished batches contain only conforming items after a failed lot has been filtered to remove all defective units. This resulting sorted lot is submitted for re-inspection to confirm that the remaining items meet the quality standard. It excludes the rejected pieces, which are either scrapped or sent for repair.
Operational Step
Workers examine every single unit in the rejected batch rather than using a random sampling plan. Creating a sorted lot requires clear defect samples so that the sorting team knows exactly what to look for. This exhaustive process is designed to eliminate every bad piece from the shipment, which ensures that the customer receives only compliant materials.
Process Verification
Quality inspectors must re-evaluate the batch before it is allowed to leave the factory area. The re-inspection of a sorted lot uses a tightened sampling plan to ensure that the sorting process was done correctly. This step prevents the escape of defects that the sorting team might have missed.
Contractual Consequence
Buyers expect the supplier to bear the full cost of the labor and materials used during the sorting process. If a supplier submits a sorted lot that still contains defects, they may face financial penalties for late delivery. The delivery schedule must adjust for the time lost during this extra sorting operation.