From Order to Inspection: Xinglong Builds an ERP+MES+IoT Integrated Digital Factory for Full-Process Traceability

Pressure-vessel reliability depends not only on final inspection, but also on whether raw materials, processes, equipment, personnel, and inspection records can form a continuous and verifiable data chain throughout manufacturing. To strengthen quality control for both volume production and custom projects, Yantai Xinglong Pressure Vessel Co., Ltd. has continued developing an integrated ERP+MES+IoT digital factory that connects order, process, production, equipment, inspection, and delivery information within one management framework.

Connecting Orders, Processes, and the Shop Floor

Xinglong integrates ERP enterprise resource planning, MES manufacturing execution, and IoT-connected production equipment so that order information can extend into production planning, process execution, equipment status, quality inspection, and delivery records. In 2022, the company invested approximately RMB 2.6 million in management software and related digitalization initiatives, while continuing to develop its production-equipment IoT platform and digital-factory infrastructure.

In a conventional manufacturing environment, orders, drawings, process instructions, and inspection records may be distributed across different people or paper documents. The purpose of the integrated digital system is to organize critical information around a specific order and a specific product, reducing information gaps while allowing production progress and abnormalities to be identified more quickly.

“One Item, One Code” Traceability to Specific Processes and Personnel

On the shop floor, Xinglong applies a “one item, one code” management approach that links an individual product with its manufacturing steps and responsible personnel. QR-code traceability points are used across production and on the finished-product nameplate, enabling quality information to be traced backward from the completed vessel to specific manufacturing stages.

Within the company’s current digital management system, traceability accuracy has increased from approximately 70% to 99.9%. For volume procurement, long-term supply programs, and export projects requiring supporting documentation, verifiable process records provide customers with clearer visibility into manufacturing status and support later quality review and project archiving.

Digital Inspection for More Objective and Retainable Results

The digital-factory initiative also extends into inspection. Xinglong uses recordable ultrasonic testing (UIT), allowing inspection results to be stored digitally and reports to retain waveform information and other test data. Compared with inspection processes that rely primarily on manually written records, digitally retained results are easier to review and trace over time.

The company is also continuing to develop digital radiographic testing capability and combines inspection data with manufacturing processes such as P+T automated welding. By moving risk control forward into material verification, welding, and inspection stages, Xinglong aims to reduce dependence on final-product inspection alone and create a more preventive quality-control system.

A More Transparent Delivery Foundation for Overseas Projects

Xinglong’s products have been exported to 21 countries and regions and are used across chemical processing, energy, pharmaceuticals, food, new energy, semiconductors, and general industry. Export markets may differ in their requirements for material documentation, inspection records, manufacturing standards, and certification coordination, making data integrity and traceability increasingly important in international projects.

Through its integrated ERP+MES+IoT digital factory, Xinglong is turning traceability from an internal management tool into a customer-facing project capability: clearer order status, more consistent manufacturing processes, more complete quality records, and more efficient technical and delivery communication. For customers requiring long-term supply, volume purchasing, or customized pressure vessels, these digital capabilities can help reduce procurement risk and shorten project communication cycles.