Precision metal stampings really are a critical element of a lot of products. Automotive components, medical devices, electronic parts – all contain metal stampings. For that part or even the device to operate correctly, the rubber stamping must be free from defects as well as perfect quality.
We continue our metal rubber stamping quality article series having a discussion on APQP.
Automotive industry will not take risks with precision metal rubber stamping quality.
Low quality isn’t an option using the automotive industry. This is exactly why the ‘Big Three’ (Ford, GM, and Chrysler) produced Advanced Product Quality Planning, also known as APQP.
So what exactly is APQP? Technically, “it is a guide within the development process in addition to a standard method to share results between suppliers and automotive companies.” Another way put, it’s a means of ensuring the automotive companies take part in all the development and launch process using their suppliers – to make sure nothing goes completely wrong. Why? Ultimately, to guarantee the ‘Big Three’s’ clients are pleased with their automobiles.
APQP is usually deployed in five concurrent and collaborative phases:
Plan and Define Program
Product Development and design
Process Development and design
Product and Process Validation
Launch, Feedback, Assessment, and Corrective Action
A few of the questions that may be addressed with the APQP process are:
Can the merchandiseOrprocedure be error proofed?
Can the merchandiseOrprocedure acquire a greater degree of capacity through tolerance design and/or process variation reduction?
What controls should be developed to make sure that defects cannot achieve a person?
The APQP process really monitors 23 topics before production is even began. Topics like design sturdiness, design testing, quality inspection standards, presentation, and much more.
Metal rubber stamping companies have to be prepared.
There are plenty of suppliers wanting automotive business. Automotive manufacturers and also the firms that represent them can demand their suppliers follow APQP processes.
Which requirement certainly pertains to metal rubber stamping companies too. Automotive suppliers must make sure the metal rubber stamping companies they work with are dedicated to APQP and really should insist they:
Establish and constantly monitor company-wide APQP processes
Utilize APQP tools for example Failure Mode Effect Analysis (FMEA) to make sure quality
Utilize advanced technology to ensure rubber stamping quality, thicknesses, and dimensions (sensors and gauges)
Implement sophisticated qc plans and tools to make sure consistency and nil defect parts (i.e. Record Process Control (SPC)
Follow the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)
Using these controls in position, metal rubber stamping companies can perform operator to guarantee the automotive manufacturers achieve their ultimate objective of client satisfaction.
