| Engineering and application capability | 15% | Ability to interpret drawings, tolerances, operating pressure, temperature, mounting, and duty-cycle requirements. | A documented design review; clarification questions; drawings or samples checked against the supplied specification. | Accepting an incomplete specification without identifying assumptions or compatibility risks. |
| Material traceability | 15% | Whether material grades and batches can be traced to the parts supplied, where required by the specification. | Material certificates, batch or heat numbers, incoming-inspection records, and a documented link to the order or part lot. | Generic certificates with no identifiable connection to the supplied batch. |
| Manufacturing and process control | 15% | Control of relevant processes such as machining, honing, welding, heat treatment, coating, and assembly. | Process-control plans, equipment-maintenance records, operator qualifications where relevant, and inspection records for critical operations. | Uncontrolled subcontracting or inability to explain how critical dimensions and processes are monitored. |
| Quality management and inspection | 15% | Inspection planning, control of nonconforming parts, corrective actions, and calibration of measurement equipment. | Inspection reports, calibration records, nonconformance procedures, and—if claimed—an in-scope, current ISO 9001 certificate verified with its issuer. | A certificate presented as proof that every product meets every technical requirement, without product-specific inspection evidence. |
| Dimensional accuracy and interchangeability | 10% | Critical dimensions, fits, surface finish, and interface compatibility against the drawing or agreed standard. | A dimensional inspection report using identified measurement methods and clear acceptance criteria; first-article results for new parts. | Claims of “standard size” without a controlled drawing, tolerances, or inspection results. |
| Testing and performance verification | 10% | Tests appropriate to the part and its intended use, performed to agreed procedures and acceptance limits. | Part- or lot-specific test reports. For assembled cylinders, confirm the agreed pressure, leakage, and functional checks are documented. | Undocumented test claims or pressure values offered without reference to the design and applicable specification. |
| Seals and fluid compatibility | 8% | Seal material, dimensions, fluid compatibility, temperature range, and installation requirements for the application. | Seal material and compound identification, dimensional data, and relevant compatibility information. ISO 3601 may be relevant to O-ring dimensions when specified. | Substituting a seal material or profile without approval or documented compatibility review. |
| Cleanliness, preservation, and packaging | 5% | Protection against contamination, corrosion, and handling damage during production, storage, and transport. | Documented cleaning and packaging steps; cleanliness results if required by the specification. ISO 4406 can be used to code hydraulic-fluid particle contamination when applicable. | Open or damaged packaging, exposed machined surfaces, or cleanliness claims with no defined method or acceptance limit. |
| Delivery reliability and capacity | 4% | Quoted lead times, production capacity, order-change controls, and communication about delays or shortages. | A written production schedule, capacity information relevant to the order, and a clear escalation contact or process. | Unqualified delivery promises or repeated schedule changes without timely notice. |
| Documentation and after-sales support | 3% | Availability of clear part identification, revision control, installation guidance where needed, and a process for warranty or quality claims. | Controlled drawings or datasheets, packing lists, agreed certificates, and a documented claim-response procedure. | Unclear part revisions or no defined method to investigate and resolve reported defects. |