Uploaded May 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
FP McCann have recently made significant investments in new world leading quality assurance process at its Ellistown facility in Leicestershire. The quality process now integrates both AI technology and world leading testing technologies to be the first precast product manufacturer to adopt such advanced quality processes.
The process has several stages and commences once our precast concrete pipes are removed from their 24 hour curing process, they are immediately placed on the new four-position testing line. Position one is a set-down point; position two uses AI technology to inspect the pipe and give an overview of its quality; position three is a hydrostatic tester where all water testing takes place; and finally, position four is where laser spigot measuring is carried out at five positions on the pipe. Following these processes, the laser-jet printer prints a unique identifying number on the pipe, along with a pass or fail.
Pipes leave the testing line and are transferred to a turntable which lines them up to be lifted by a forklift truck. Colour-coded lighting alerts the driver to which pipes have passed the QC process and can be transferred to stock, and which have failed and require remedial work.
Any pipes requiring remedial work are transferred to a separate area for analysis using a specialised app, which reads the pipe number and identifies what work needs to be carried out to ensure compliance. Once fixed, the app is updated, and the pipe is placed into stock.
The new technology being utilised is believed to be the world’s most advanced automated testing line. Following testing, only pipes marked with the pass symbol are loaded from the stock yard, and an additional manual check is then carried out by a quality inspector.
This state-of-the-art process allows us to be confident that every pipe leaving the depot and going to our customers is fully compliant with our quality standards.
For details on the FP McCann product range visit fpmccann.co.uk
For details on the FP McCann Precast Concrete Drainage Products, visit fpmccann.co.uk/uk/drainage
FP McCann have recently made significant investments in new world leading quality assurance process at its Ellistown facility in Leicestershire. The quality process now integrates both AI technology and world leading testing technologies to be the first precast product manufacturer to adopt such advanced quality processes.
The process has several stages and commences once our precast concrete pipes are removed from their 24 hour curing process, they are immediately placed on the new four-position testing line. Position one is a set-down point; position two uses AI technology to inspect the pipe and give an overview of its quality; position three is a hydrostatic tester where all water testing takes place; and finally, position four is where laser spigot measuring is carried out at five positions on the pipe. Following these processes, the laser-jet printer prints a unique identifying number on the pipe, along with a pass or fail.
Pipes leave the testing line and are transferred to a turntable which lines them up to be lifted by a forklift truck. Colour-coded lighting alerts the driver to which pipes have passed the QC process and can be transferred to stock, and which have failed and require remedial work.
Any pipes requiring remedial work are transferred to a separate area for analysis using a specialised app, which reads the pipe number and identifies what work needs to be carried out to ensure compliance. Once fixed, the app is updated, and the pipe is placed into stock.
The new technology being utilised is believed to be the world’s most advanced automated testing line. Following testing, only pipes marked with the pass symbol are loaded from the stock yard, and an additional manual check is then carried out by a quality inspector.
This state-of-the-art process allows us to be confident that every pipe leaving the depot and going to our customers is fully compliant with our quality standards.
For details on the FP McCann product range visit fpmccann.co.uk
For details on the FP McCann Precast Concrete Drainage Products, visit fpmccann.co.uk/uk/drainage
