Athletes know how important quality sports equipment is. A good ball can make all the difference, which is why many players choose established brands with sound reputations.
Sports brands cannot afford to cut corners when it comes to product quality. Doing so can cause irreparable damage to your brand’s reputation. This is why it is very important to know the different quality control standards for sports balls.
In this post, we will help sports equipment brands maintain better quality control for sports balls by outlining the different quality checks that should be performed.
Quality Control for Sports Balls
Most successful sports ball companies undergo strict quality control and sports balls inspection processes to ensure that all of the products are of highest quality once it is out of the production area.
The purpose of quality control is to ensure that all of the sports balls inspected are ready for the certifications needed prior to distribution.
Most sports ball will fall into one of two categories:
Sports balls with hard surfaces
- Cricket balls
- Golf balls
- Billiard balls
- Croquet Balls
- Ping-Pong balls
Or balls with bladders or carcass such as:
- Volleyballs
- Basketballs
- Footballs
- Soccer balls
- Rugby balls
The inspection process can sometimes change depending on the type of ball being produced. In this article, we will focus on the inspection process for the types of balls listed above.
5 Important Quality Checks to Perform
The inspection process ensures the inspected balls receive the required certification before distribution. During this process, the balls undergo a series of strict quality checks to ensure that the end-product meets the agreed upon specifications.
Raw Materials Check
Hard balls have surfaces made from rubbers, cores, special plastics, etc. This inspection verifies that the raw materials for the balls do not have any defects before assembly. The raw materials then undergo assembly inspection to minimize the defects caused by the initial assembly process.
Assembly Check
All of the raw materials that passed the initial inspection process will then be transferred to the assembly line to start mass production. The purpose of this inspection process is to determine that premature damages and defects caused by the initial assembly will be avoided or minimized as much as possible to prevent poorly-manufactured sports balls.
Although mass productions tend to show defective final products, the assembly inspection personnel will greatly help minimize the occurrences.
Weight and Measurement Check
Sports balls must undergo weight testing and inspection to ensure that all of the sports balls have the same weight specification as indicated on the product number. Items that fail either of the weight and measurement inspections will be considered “DEFECTIVE” and will be disposed accordingly.
Inflation/Deflation Check (for balls with a bladder/carcass)
The purpose of this inspection process is to verify that there are no internal damages inside the sports balls. All of the sports balls will be inflated to their optimal capacity and will be inspected for any holes, punctures, or air seepages on every seam to ensure that all of the inflatable sports balls are free from defects. Items that deflate prematurely will be considered defective and will be reassembled or thrown away.
Visual Check
Using AQL sampling methods, sports balls will be inspected for visual defects such as loose threads, incorrect patterns, holes, etc. The purpose of this inspection process is to verify that all of the sports balls are ready for the next inspection process. If there are items that show signs of damage or defects, these items will either be disposed of or will be reassembled to save production time.
Final Check
During the final inspection, sports balls will undergo several tests to ensure all products have been thoroughly inspected. This last check ensures the balls are ready for the market. Items that fail the final inspection will be marked as “DEFECTIVE” and will be thrown away.
Quality Control Assistance for Sports Brands
Each sports ball has its own set of quality control standards either set by an international institution or a sports-related organization.
Keeping up with these different standards is one thing, but expecting your manufacturer to keep up is another. That is why working with a third-party quality control company who can be on site on your behalf is a no-brainer.
AQF is a leading quality control provider serving global brands and retailers across the globe. As an experienced partner, AQF has supported brands in the sports equipment industry with sports balls and other facilities.
Our online platform allows you to tailor your booking, manage your orders, and access real-time analytics to stay ahead of the competition. Visit our website to sign up today and book your next service.
