How to Audit a Chinese Die Casting Supplier

Auditing a Chinese die casting supplier should confirm whether the factory can consistently deliver finished parts, not only whether it owns die casting machines. A good audit checks tooling control, machine range, process discipline, machining capability, inspection equipment, documentation habits, communication, and export readiness.

The goal is to reduce supplier risk before tooling payment or tool transfer.

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Supplier Audit Checklist

Audit Area	What to Verify
Machine range	Tonnage, machine condition, hot chamber vs cold chamber capability
Tooling	In-house tool design, maintenance records, repair ability
Materials	Alloy control, spectrometer checks, material certificates
Process control	Parameter records, die temperature control, first-shot approval
CNC machining	Fixture design, datum control, in-house machining capacity
Quality inspection	CMM, gauges, leak testing, X-ray or CT access if needed
Documentation	FAI, PPAP, control plan, inspection reports, traceability
Export readiness	Packaging, documents, logistics coordination, English communication

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Questions to Ask Before Visiting

Before a factory audit, ask for:

1. Machine list with tonnage and process type
2. Example inspection report
3. Example tooling maintenance record
4. ISO certificate
5. Photos of casting floor, CNC area, and inspection room
6. Export packing examples
7. Reference part categories similar to your project

If the supplier cannot provide basic documentation before the visit, the on-site audit is unlikely to improve confidence.

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Red Flags

Watch for these risks:

• Tooling is subcontracted but presented as in-house
• No clear control of alloy certificates
• No CMM or reliable dimensional inspection workflow
• No written process parameters for repeat production
• Machining and casting teams blame each other for dimensional issues
• RFQ communication is fast, but engineering answers are vague
• Packaging is not designed for coated or machined surfaces
• Supplier cannot explain who owns customer-paid tooling

These red flags are especially important before transferring existing tooling.

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What a Strong Supplier Looks Like

A strong die casting supplier can explain how the part moves from DFM to tooling, casting, trimming, machining, finishing, inspection, and packaging. The team can identify likely failure modes before tooling, not only react after bad samples.

For deeper review, see how to choose a die casting supplier, die casting tooling ownership, and quality control.

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FAQ

What is the most important thing to check in a die casting factory audit?

The most important check is whether the supplier controls the full finished-part workflow, especially tooling, casting parameters, machining datums, inspection reports, and corrective actions.

Should I audit the tooling shop separately?

Yes, if the tool is high value or critical to long-term production. Tooling design, steel quality, maintenance, and repair capability directly affect die life and part quality.

Can a remote audit work?

A remote audit can screen basic capability, but a physical audit or trusted third-party audit is better before major tooling investment or supplier transfer.

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Supplier audit inquiry: yaoqingpu1983@gmail.com | +86 138 1403 4409