Quality Initiatives
ISO Certifications
| Category | Mie HQ / Plant | Yamaguchi Plant | NABELL USA | NABELL China |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISO 9001 | since 2004 | since 2004 | since 2010 | since 2014 |
| ISO 14001 | since 2003 | since 2004 | since 2010 | since 2018 |
- ISO 9001
- Mie HQ / Plant（since 2004）
- Yamaguchi Plant（since 2004）
- NABELL USA（since 2010）
- NABELL China（since 2014）
- ISO 14001
- Mie HQ / Plant（since 2003）
- Yamaguchi Plant（since 2004）
- NABELL USA（since 2010）
- NABELL China（since 2018）
FAI (First Article Inspection)
What is FAI (First Article Inspection)?
FAI is a procedure at the earliest phase of production that confirms the first manufactured sample meets all customer specifications and quality requirements. Conducted before volume production begins, it guarantees design correctness and process capability. Every dimension, material, performance item and appearance point is checked in detail, ensuring the initial sample’s quality. This prevents issues in subsequent lots and lays the foundation for a highly reproducible manufacturing process.
FAI at NABELL
When NABELL receives a new mass-production inquiry, we conduct cross-departmental FAI during the first-article stage to prevent future problems. Sales, Engineering, Purchasing, Production Control and Quality jointly review specifications and pricing. Work procedures are fixed at this point so that a reproducible process is maintained thereafter.
- New Inquiry
- Executed even when similar specs exist
- Prototype Build
Prototype Cost
Estimate mass-production price and prototype cost
Rough Drawing
Provide concept image based on past achievements
FAI
- Mass-production unit price Final spec drawing
- After FAI, issues are prevented in advance and the proper price is presented.
Traceability
All NABELL products carry a nameplate with a serial number recording plant, build date and lot size. Should any issue arise, production history can be checked immediately for rapid resolution.
Warranty Policy (NABELL Product Warranty)
- Purpose
- This policy sets forth our response when a NABELL product fails or malfunctions within the specified period despite being used in accordance with the warranty card, manual and delivery specification sheet.
- Coverage
- Within the warranty period, if damage or failure occurs under normal use per the documentation, we will, at our discretion, repair, supply a replacement product or exchange parts free of charge.
- Even when outside the above scope, paid repair or paid replacement services are available.
- Warranty Period
- The free-repair period is one year from the delivery date to the customer. * Certain products may have different warranty periods.
- Items Not Covered
Even within the period, the warranty does not apply in the following cases:
- Deformation, damage or failure caused by operation errors
- Use in harsher environments or conditions than specified (temperature, humidity, pressure, flow, etc.)
- Wear or aging deterioration
- Corrosion-induced strength loss or defects in main or component materials
- Improper operation (reverse flow, etc.) or unauthorised modification
- Excessive external force or distortion during installation or piping
- Sudden temperature change (thermal shock)
- Fire, earthquake, flood, lightning or other force-majeure / external factors
- Wear of consumables requiring replacement
- Deformation, damage or failure not affecting function
- Failures worsened because the customer left them unaddressed
- Use of non-genuine parts or materials
- Handling, modification or parts installation not permitted by us or by law
- Indirect / Consequential Loss
- This warranty is limited to free repair, replacement or part exchange of the product itself. We accept no liability for indirect, consequential or special damages arising from failure of the product.
- Supplement (Intellectual Property)
- To the best of our knowledge NABELL products do not infringe any third-party intellectual property rights.
IP Strategy
By listening to customers’ true requirements, NABELL combines optimal manufacturing methods and materials to create exactly the environment they need. Through objective IP activities we educate employees and actively develop original technologies – recognised with the JPO Commissioner’s Award in 2013.
IoT Initiatives
We regard our bellows, which slide in sync with equipment motion and keep the machining chamber clean, not only as protective components but also as the first sensor to detect abnormalities. NABELL pioneered technology to use bellows themselves as abnormal-detection sensors.
- Burn-damage-detection laser-path bellows (patented 2002)
- Temperature-sensor bellows (Monodzukuri Component Encouragement Award 2010)
Ultra-large Cross-rail Tester (Bella-Saurus)
In 2015 our Mie HQ installed the world’s first 5 m × 9 m cross-rail (wall-mounted) tester (speed 120 m/min, acceleration 1.5 G). Large products require many man-hours after delivery for installation and motion checks; by verifying validity with a near-real machine during design we can supply products you can use with confidence. Please contact our sales staff if you wish to witness a test.
Quality Patrol
We conduct 100 % final inspection and sampling shipment inspection. In addition, patrols regularly check whether work standards are followed and whether they need improvement, driving continual quality enhancement.
TPM (Total Productive Maintenance)
- What is TPM?
TPM is a maintenance strategy designed to prevent equipment failure and maximise production efficiency by encouraging participation of all employees and pursuing full equipment reliability and uptime.
- TPM at NABELL
- Aiming to supply high-quality products on schedule, NABELL actively practises TPM through preventive maintenance: regular servicing, early fault detection and swift corrective action minimise downtime and avoid productivity loss, optimising long-term equipment investment while keeping promised delivery dates.
