The company I used to work for tried importing some welded D-rings from China.
The welded D-rings that we produced had welds that would test out as breaking at about 600 pounds of pull (on a tensile testing machine).
We sent samples and specs to the Chinese and then waited for the product to arrive.
Shipped them and had stories that the welds were breaking.
We tested the parts and the welds would pop at or below 100 pound pull. Some of ours wouid exceed the capacity of out tensile tester (1,000 pounds).
The welds looked perfect (resistance welds). We sent the samples to a testing lab to get the molecular analysis on the grade of steel.
The product was to be made from C1003 - C1008. C1008 - C1010 is the standard for low carbon steel. The lower the carbon content, the better the quality of the weld is. C1003 is very low carbon and can be difficult to source.
The analysis returned with a verdict “this is not any recognizable grade of steel”. Apparently, the Chinese melted various bits of steel and iron and then converted it to wire. The wire had a high level of silicon. Silicon significantly compromises the quality of the weld.
My judgement went like this: If the job is difficult and complex, the Chinese manufacturers will hire Western consultants to work with them to develop the manufacturing process. But, it the project looks really simple, the Chinese will forego the consultants and do it on their own. The result can be fine, or as in our case, a disaster.
The Chinese are fully capable of producing quality goods. But they do best when holding the hands of a Western consultant. So my mantra after that debacle was, “If it is complex and difficult the Chinese will likely excel. But if it easy and simple, they will overlook some crucial element and the project will fail.
I have no doubt that some of the Temu products are fine and a good value. But some will contain a “simple” part that will sabotage the entire project.
The welded D-rings that we produced had welds that would test out as breaking at about 600 pounds of pull (on a tensile testing machine).
We sent samples and specs to the Chinese and then waited for the product to arrive.
Shipped them and had stories that the welds were breaking.
We tested the parts and the welds would pop at or below 100 pound pull. Some of ours wouid exceed the capacity of out tensile tester (1,000 pounds).
The welds looked perfect (resistance welds). We sent the samples to a testing lab to get the molecular analysis on the grade of steel.
The product was to be made from C1003 - C1008. C1008 - C1010 is the standard for low carbon steel. The lower the carbon content, the better the quality of the weld is. C1003 is very low carbon and can be difficult to source.
The analysis returned with a verdict “this is not any recognizable grade of steel”. Apparently, the Chinese melted various bits of steel and iron and then converted it to wire. The wire had a high level of silicon. Silicon significantly compromises the quality of the weld.
My judgement went like this: If the job is difficult and complex, the Chinese manufacturers will hire Western consultants to work with them to develop the manufacturing process. But, it the project looks really simple, the Chinese will forego the consultants and do it on their own. The result can be fine, or as in our case, a disaster.
The Chinese are fully capable of producing quality goods. But they do best when holding the hands of a Western consultant. So my mantra after that debacle was, “If it is complex and difficult the Chinese will likely excel. But if it easy and simple, they will overlook some crucial element and the project will fail.
I have no doubt that some of the Temu products are fine and a good value. But some will contain a “simple” part that will sabotage the entire project.
