Post Termination Asset Inspection and Tooling Clearance Verification Procedures
Verification of foreign-owned tooling clearance requires hard-stamped Chinese bailment marks, notarized site audits, and structured financial set-offs.
Mechanical Shot Counter Verification
Meaning
This hardware audit process verifies the actual production volume of an injection mold by inspecting and recording the readings of a physical shot counter attached to the mold frame. Under standard manufacturing audit practices, mechanical shot counter verification provides an tamper-resistant record of the number of times the mold has been closed and pressurized to produce parts. This verification is used by foreign buyers to check the accuracy of production reports submitted by their Chinese suppliers and to track the wear and maintenance cycles of the tooling.
The process applies to all molds owned by the buyer and operated by third-party factories. It stops applying if the mold is equipped with an electronic sensor that transmits data directly to an enterprise resource planning system, or if the physical counter is damaged or removed.
Verification Procedure
The execution of mechanical shot counter verification begins with a physical inspection of the counter unit during a scheduled factory audit. The auditor locates the counter, which is typically mounted on the non-operating side of the mold base where it is protected from accidental impacts and oil spills. The auditor records the current serial number of the counter and the digital reading displayed on the dial.
This reading is compared to the production logs, shipping documents, and maintenance records provided by the factory. The auditor must also inspect the mounting screws and the security seals to ensure that the counter has not been removed, reset, or bypassed. This physical check is accompanied by a functional test where the mold is closed and opened to verify that the counter increments correctly.
The results are documented in a formal verification report.
Audit Constraint
The reliability of this verification method is subject to several physical and operational limitations. While a mechanical counter is difficult to reset without leaving visible marks, it does not distinguish between successful production cycles and dry cycles or scrap runs. A factory can inflate the count by running the mold empty during setup or testing, although this is usually limited by the wear it causes on the tooling.
Furthermore, if the counter fails during production, the history of the mold’s use is lost unless the factory has maintained detailed manual logs. The auditor must cross-reference the counter data with the weight of the raw material consumed and the number of finished parts shipped to ensure consistency. These constraints require a multi-point audit approach to verify production volumes.
Operational Benefit
Implementing this verification process reduces the risk of unauthorized production and helps the buyer manage the lifecycle of their tooling. When the supplier knows that the counter is audited regularly, they are less likely to use the buyer’s mold to produce counterfeit goods or unauthorized batches. The data also allows the buyer to schedule preventive maintenance, such as seal replacement and core polishing, before the mold suffers catastrophic failure or produces defective parts.
This proactive approach extends the lifespan of the tooling and ensures a consistent supply of high-quality components. The cost of installing and auditing a mechanical counter is very low compared to the financial losses from unauthorized production or mold failure. This simple tool provides a high return on investment for supply chain security.