170 Mtitrrifils and Thrir Handling 



Differences in the hardness of materials and many 

 other causes influence the quality of the product. 



Where there is a succession of operations, it is 

 desirable to inspect a number of times; and im- 

 portant operations, the incorrectness of which 

 would render a piece useless, should be inspected 

 as soon as they are made and before any further 

 work has been done. This will obviate the spend- 

 ing of further money on a piece which has already 

 been spoiled. 



Many foremen look on the inspector as a tribal 

 enemy. This attitude is extremely unfortunate 

 and unsound. Good inspection is a help in putting 

 out good work and not a hindrance ; it hinders only 

 the putting out of poor work. 



The Requisites of Good Inspection. Good in- 

 spection is, first of all, intelligent. This means 

 that there must be definite standards known to all 

 concerned to the foremen and workmen as well 

 as to the inspection department. These standards 

 should be reasonable and attainable, high enough 

 to guarantee the adaptability of the work to the 

 purpose for which it is intended, but not so high 

 as to be uncommercial or unattainable. It should 

 be possible, with the proper tools and methods of 

 production, to maintain that standard in everyday 

 work and earn a profit. If inspection is per- 

 mitted to be too lax, the reputation of the product 

 is lowered and an opening made for future trouble 

 from customers and, possibly, danger to life, if 

 the product is one which involves the safety of 

 those who use it. To be too rigid with inspection 



