Inspection Evidence Template

Heat Treatment Inspection Report for Mold Component Release

Use this heat treatment inspection report template to verify mold components after heat treatment or surface treatment and before they are released for assembly. It is intended for inserts, cores, cavities, sliders, lifters, and wear components that require traceable inspection evidence rather than a supplier hardness slip alone.

The report brings the material lot, treatment batch, required and actual values, inspection locations, dimensional recheck, NCR status, and final release approval into one controlled record. Steel grade and required condition should trace back to the approved injection mold steel selection guide.

Heat treatment inspection report with mold components prepared for release verification

01 / REQUIREMENT Required vs. Actual Values

Record target and measured hardness, case depth, or coating thickness against the approved requirement.

02 / TRACEABILITY Traceable Treatment Evidence

Link each component to its material lot, treatment batch, inspection method, and measurement location.

03 / RELEASE Controlled Release

Capture dimensional recheck, NCR or rework status, inspector approval, and final disposition before assembly.

Controlled Inspection Template

Download the Heat Treatment Inspection Report Template

Use the controlled report to record treatment requirements, measured results, component traceability, dimensional rechecks, NCR status, and final release approval. Choose the printable PDF for signed records or the editable XLSX workbook for structured inspection and batch data.

PDF · v1.0

Controlled PDF Inspection Report

Use the printable version for supplier records, signed inspection evidence, engineering approval, NCR closure, and controlled component release documentation.

Download PDF Report

XLSX · v1.0

Editable Inspection Workbook

Use the editable workbook for QA data entry, repeated component records, automatic PASS/NCR checks, batch tracking, and structured release documentation across treated parts.

Download XLSX Workbook

Document-control note: both files use revision v1.0. Retain superseded records whenever a component is re-treated, re-inspected, or re-released.

Record Scope

Which Mold Components Need a Full Heat-Treatment Record?

A full inspection record is most important when heat treatment or surface treatment can change wear resistance, fit, sealing, dimensional stability, or service life. The record should follow the individual component rather than relying only on a supplier batch certificate.

Cavity & Core Inserts

Record hardness and dimensional condition where treatment can affect molding surfaces, insert fit, or local wear resistance.

Sliders & Lifters

Sliding and angled-contact components need traceable treatment evidence when hardness or distortion can affect motion and fit.

Wear Components

Wear plates, locking parts, and similar hardened components should retain treatment results when service life depends on the specified condition.

Nitrided Components

Record surface hardness and specified case-depth evidence when nitriding is used to control wear or sliding performance.

Coated Functional Parts

PVD, DLC, or hard-chrome components need treatment identity, thickness where specified, and confirmation of the final functional condition.

Practical rule: use the full report whenever treatment affects a CTQ feature, functional fit, wear surface, or assembly-release decision.

Mandatory Report Structure

What Fields Must a Heat Treatment Inspection Report Include?

A release-ready report must connect the physical mold component to its drawing, material lot, treatment batch, engineering requirement, measured result, and final disposition. The purpose is not simply to prove that treatment occurred, but to show that the correct component was processed, inspected against the approved requirement, and formally accepted or contained before assembly.

Field Group	Required Report Fields	Why the Fields Matter	Use
01 · Part Identification	Project / Mold No. Part ID and component name Drawing No. and revision	Prevents treated components from being released against the wrong mold, drawing, or superseded revision.	Always
02 · Material Traceability	Steel grade Material heat / lot number Material certificate reference	Connects the heat-treatment result to the approved steel identity and material source.	Always
03 · Treatment Identity	Treatment process Treatment supplier Furnace / process batch Treatment date Supplier certificate or report No.	Creates direct traceability between the component, the external or internal process, and the treatment batch.	Always
04 · Engineering Requirement	Required hardness range Case depth where specified White-layer or coating thickness where specified Applicable drawing / specification reference	Defines the acceptance target before actual inspection results are reviewed.	Always / As Specified
05 · Actual Inspection Result	Actual hardness readings Measurement points and method Actual depth or thickness Post-treatment dimensional recheck Visual condition	Provides objective evidence that the treated component meets the defined release requirement.	Always / As Applicable
06 · NCR & Release	NCR or deviation reference Rework / re-treatment record Reinspection result Final disposition Inspector, approver, and release date	Preserves failed results, corrective action, and the final engineering decision instead of replacing the original evidence.	Always / If NCR

Release rule: supplier certificates support the record but do not replace the component-level inspection report. Keep requirements, actual results, dimensional evidence, NCR status, and approval in the same controlled release record. After release, reference this evidence from the mold component FAI before assembly rather than duplicating the complete heat-treatment history inside the FAI record. The downloadable PDF and XLSX templates above use this same field structure.

Vacuum Hardening Record

What Must Be Recorded After Vacuum Hardening?

A vacuum-hardening certificate confirms that a treatment cycle was performed, but component release still requires part-specific inspection evidence. The report should connect the approved hardness requirement and supplier batch to the actual component, document post-treatment condition, and show whether critical dimensions remain acceptable before assembly.

01 · Requirement

Target Hardness

Record the approved hardness range and the drawing, specification, or treatment requirement that defines it.

02 · Result

Actual Hardness

Enter the measured values, inspection method, and report reference used to support the release decision.

03 · Traceability

Treatment Batch

Link the component ID to the treatment supplier, furnace or process batch, treatment date, and certificate number.

04 · Condition

Surface Condition

Record abnormal oxidation, discoloration, cracking, damage, or other visible conditions relevant to release.

05 · Geometry

Dimensional Recheck

Recheck drawing-defined CTQ dimensions, datums, flatness, fit, or shut-off features where heat treatment may cause distortion.

06 · Evidence

Supplier Documentation

Reference the supplier certificate or process report without treating it as a substitute for component-level inspection.

Returned-component handoff: this report verifies the heat-treatment-specific evidence. When the component returns from an external processor, use the Outside Processing Acceptance Form for Mold Components to match the returned records to the part, complete the receiving checks, and record the final Accept / Hold / Reject disposition before assembly release.

Scope control: this section records what must be captured after vacuum hardening. Detailed hardness-point placement and measurement interpretation are handled separately in the hardness-verification section below.

Process-Specific Evidence

Additional Report Fields for Nitriding, PVD, DLC, and Hard Chrome

Surface treatments require additional evidence beyond a basic hardness result. The inspection report should record the treatment-specific requirement, actual measured result, measurement method or certificate reference, treated area, and any post-process dimensional or visual condition that can affect component release.

Process 01 · Nitriding

Nitriding: Depth and Surface Condition

When nitriding is specified, the report should identify the required surface condition and depth requirement without assuming that a supplier hardness value alone proves the diffusion layer is acceptable.

Surface hardness where specified
Required and actual effective case depth
White-layer thickness where controlled
Measurement method and sample location
Post-process surface condition

Process 02 · PVD / DLC

PVD or DLC: Coating Identity and Thickness

For coated functional surfaces, the release record should connect the coating type and treated area to the approved requirement and document measurable or certificate-based evidence where applicable.

Coating type and specification
Required and actual coating thickness
Coated and masked areas
Inspection or certificate method
Adhesion or visible condition where required

Process 03 · Hard Chrome

Hard Chrome: Thickness and Final Fit

Plating can directly change component dimensions, so release evidence must show that the applied thickness has not created interference, clearance loss, or unacceptable local build-up on functional surfaces.

Required and actual plating thickness
Plated area and masking requirement
Final dimensional recheck
Edge or corner build-up condition
Surface condition after plating

Acceptance basis: record the values required by the approved drawing, specification, supplier process requirement, or inspection plan. Do not apply one universal case-depth, coating-thickness, or adhesion limit to every mold component.

Measurement Evidence

Record Hardness Test Points and Post-Treatment Dimensional Rechecks

A hardness value is only useful when the report shows where it was measured. Record each approved test location together with the method, scale, requirement, and actual reading. For interpretation of hardness requirements and verification methods, use the mold steel hardness verification guide rather than duplicating the full hardness methodology here.

Illustrative Test-Point Layout

Example only. Test points and CTQ features must follow the approved drawing, inspection plan, or engineering requirement.

Check 01 · Hardness Location

Identify the Measurement Point

Do not record only “50 HRC.” The report should identify Point A, B, C, or another approved location so each reading can be traced to a defined surface or feature. Avoid turning an arbitrary number of test points into a universal rule; quantity and location should follow the inspection plan.

Point ID
Surface / feature
Method and scale
Required range
Actual result
Pass / NCR status

Check 02 · Geometry

Recheck CTQ Dimensions After Treatment

Heat treatment, nitriding, or plating can change dimensions even when hardness is acceptable. Recheck the drawing-defined features that control assembly or function, such as datums, flatness, critical diameters, insert fit, sliding surfaces, shut-offs, and sealing interfaces.

Nominal value
Tolerance
Actual value
Deviation
Datum reference
Final result

Release principle: acceptable hardness does not override an out-of-tolerance CTQ feature. Both material-condition evidence and required dimensional rechecks should be closed before the component is released for assembly.

Nonconformance Control

How to Record NCR, Rework, and Re-Release After Heat Treatment

When a treated mold component fails hardness, dimensional, coating, or visual inspection, the original result must remain in the controlled record. Rework or re-treatment does not erase the first nonconformance; the report should show what failed, what corrective action was taken, how the component was re-inspected, and who approved the final disposition.

01 · Inspect

Original Result

Record actual inspection data before any correction is made.

02 · Contain

NCR Opened

Assign the NCR number and identify the failed requirement or CTQ.

03 · Decide

Disposition

Record rework, re-treatment, conditional review, or rejection.

04 · Correct

Rework / Re-Treatment

Link the corrective action to the new supplier or process batch.

05 · Verify

Reinspection

Enter new hardness, dimensional, depth, or coating results.

06 · Release

Final Approval

Record the final disposition, approver, date, and release status.

Do Not Overwrite

Preserve the Failed Result

If the first hardness check, case-depth result, coating result, or dimensional recheck fails, retain that evidence together with the NCR reference. The second inspection should be added as a new result, not substituted for the original measurement.

Re-Release Evidence

Close the Loop Before Assembly Release

The final report should connect the corrective action, revised process batch, reinspection result, closure status, and engineering approval. A component should not return to the assembly route while the NCR or required reinspection remains open.

Traceability note: significant re-treatment or repeated abnormal history may also be referenced once in the tool history record, while the heat-treatment inspection report remains the controlled source for the actual release evidence.

Completed Record Example

Example of a Completed Mold Component Release Record

A completed report should allow a reviewer to identify the component, approved requirement, actual inspection result, treatment batch, dimensional status, and final disposition without opening multiple unrelated supplier documents. The example below shows how one vacuum-hardened insert can be recorded before assembly release.

Mold Component Heat Treatment Inspection Record

Illustrative Example

Component Core Insert C-17

Material H13 / 1.2344

Process Vacuum Hardening

Treatment Batch VH-26-0917-A

Inspection Item	Requirement	Actual Result	Location / Method	Status
Hardness	48–52 HRC	49.8 / 50.2 / 50.0 HRC	Points A / B / C · Rockwell C	Pass
Critical Width	32.000 ±0.010 mm	32.004 mm	Datum A · CMM	Pass
Flatness	≤0.010 mm	0.006 mm	Fitting face · CMM	Pass
Surface Condition	No release-relevant damage	No visible oxidation, crack, or handling damage	Visual inspection	Pass

Final Disposition

Released for assembly after hardness and dimensional verification.

NCR Status

None

Example values are illustrative only. Actual acceptance limits, measurement locations, inspection methods, and release authority must follow the approved drawing, specification, and project inspection plan.

Document Traceability

Control Report Revision, Source Evidence, and Release Status

A heat-treatment inspection report should remain traceable after release, re-treatment, or drawing revision. Use a unique report ID and revision so the current record can be distinguished from superseded versions while preserving links to the component, drawing, supplier certificate, NCR, and approval status.

01 · Identity

Report ID & Revision

Assign a unique report number, revision, and issue date to every controlled release record.

02 · Component

Part & Drawing Reference

Keep the component ID, drawing number, and drawing revision visible on every issued version.

03 · Source Evidence

Treatment Certificate Reference

Reference the applicable supplier certificate, process batch, or furnace record without replacing the original evidence.

04 · Exception

NCR Reference

Link any nonconformance, deviation, or reinspection record to the report revision in which it was resolved.

05 · History

Superseded Record

When Rev.B replaces Rev.A, retain the earlier record and mark its status instead of deleting or overwriting it.

06 · Approval

Current Release Status

Record whether the component is released, conditionally released, on hold, rework-required, or rejected.

Example Revision Logic

Rev.A Original inspection record issued

NCR / Re-treatment Original record retained and linked

Rev.B Reinspection completed and new release approved

Final package handoff: once approved, the current heat-treatment report can become supporting evidence in the final mold validation package. This link does not change the report's role: it remains the controlled source for component-level heat-treatment release evidence.

Heat Treatment Report FAQ

Heat Treatment Inspection Report FAQ

Use these answers to clarify what belongs in the report, when additional evidence is required, and how a treated mold component should be released after inspection.

What should a mold component heat treatment inspection report include?

It should identify the component, drawing revision, steel grade, material lot, treatment process and batch, required and actual inspection results, measurement locations, dimensional rechecks, NCR status, final disposition, and approval.

Is a supplier heat-treatment certificate enough for component release?

Not by itself. A supplier certificate supports process traceability, but component release should also include part-specific verification against the approved drawing, specification, and required post-treatment inspection results.

How should hardness measurement points be recorded?

Record each approved point by location or identifier together with the inspection method, scale, required range, actual result, and pass or NCR status. Test-point quantity should follow the inspection plan rather than a universal rule.

What should be recorded after nitriding or coating?

Add the treatment-specific evidence required by the approved specification, such as case depth, white-layer thickness, coating type and thickness, treated or masked area, visual condition, and dimensional recheck where the process can affect fit.

How should a reworked component be inspected and re-released?

Keep the original failed result, link the NCR and corrective action, record the new treatment batch where applicable, complete the required reinspection, and issue the final disposition only after the abnormal condition is formally closed.

Engineering Review

Need Help Reviewing Heat-Treatment Report Fields?

Send the component drawing, steel grade, treatment requirement, and available supplier evidence. We can help identify the release fields and inspection evidence that should be confirmed before assembly.

Review Heat-Treatment Report Fields Export Mold Production