Cabinet Hardware Inspection Report
Location: Guangzhou Panyu, China
Inspection Date: April 21, 2025
Product Type: Cabinet Hardware (Export to the USA)
Client & Supplier: Confidential (Approved for Publication)
1. Product Overview
The inspected products consist of common cabinet hardware manufactured in China for export to the U.S. market. The items include:
- Hinges (Soft-close, concealed, and standard)
- Drawer Slides (Ball-bearing, undermount, side-mount)
- Knobs & Pulls (Metal, ceramic, and plastic)
- Cabinet Locks & Latches
- Support Brackets (Adjustable and fixed)
2. Materials Used
| Component | Common Materials |
|---|---|
| Hinges | Cold-rolled steel, zinc alloy, stainless steel |
| Drawer Slides | Steel, aluminum, plastic rollers |
| Knobs & Pulls | Brass, zinc alloy, ceramic, ABS plastic |
| Locks & Latches | Zinc alloy, stainless steel |
| Support Brackets | Steel, iron with powder coating |
3. Common Defects Identified
A. Appearance Defects
- Surface Imperfections:
- Scratches, dents, or uneven plating on hinges and drawer slides.
- Visible bubbles or peeling in powder-coated parts (e.g., brackets).
- Color Inconsistency:
- Mismatched finishes (e.g., brushed nickel vs. satin) within the same batch.
- Deformation:
- Bent or misaligned drawer slide rails.
- Warped knobs/pulls due to improper casting.
B. Performance Defects
- Functional Failures:
- Soft-close hinges failing to dampen properly (5% of samples).
- Drawer slides jamming or not extending smoothly (3% of samples).
- Load Capacity Issues:
- Support brackets bending under rated weight (e.g., 50kg threshold).
- Corrosion Resistance:
- Rust spots on zinc-alloy parts after 48-hour salt spray test (non-compliant with ASTM B117).
- Loose Components:
- Screws/bolts detaching under vibration testing (simulating transport).
4. Testing Methods
- Visual Inspection: 100% of units checked for surface defects.
- Functional Testing: Random samples tested for smooth operation (hinges, slides).
- Load Testing: Brackets subjected to 1.5x rated weight for 1 hour.
- Corrosion Test: Salt spray exposure per ASTM B117 (48 hours).
- Durability Test: 20,000 open/close cycles for hinges and slides.
5. Compliance Status
- Passed: 92% of units met U.S. standards (ANSI/BHMA, ASTM).
- Rejected: 8% (mainly due to corrosion, functional failures).
6. Corrective Actions Recommended
- Improve plating/powder-coating QC to reduce surface defects.
- Upgrade material grades for corrosion-prone components (e.g., SS304 over zinc alloy).
- Recalibrate torque settings for screw fastening.
Reported by: [Your Company Name]
Disclaimer: This report is approved for public sharing with confidential data removed.
