Automotive manufacturers use various quality tools and techniques to meet customer expectations and produce a sustainable volume of products on time. The Core Tools (APQP, FMEA, MSA, SPC, PPAP) are quality tools to meet the specific needs of each organization. We offer courses that teach employees how to use these tools effectively.
Automotive manufacturers use the AIAG Core Tools worldwide to ensure that their products are safe for consumers.
These tools include:
- Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP)
- Product Part Approval Process (PPAP)
- Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
- Measurement System Analysis (MSA)
- Statistical Process Control (SPC)
What is APQP?
Advanced Product Quality Planning & Control Plan ensures that all aspects of the production process are planned and controlled to achieve the desired results.
The goal of APQP is to facilitate communications between the design team and everyone else in the company. Using this, teams can work together to create products that meet the customer's requirements and are produced with minimal costs and labour. The APQP process is cross-functional.
What is PPAP?
The Product Part Approval Process (PPAP) is an Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) output. Automakers use it to ensure that they're confident in the quality of parts and components supplied by their suppliers.
The PPAP ensures suppliers understand customer engineering design records and specifications requirements and can provide products consistent with these requirements during an actual production run.
What is FMEA?
FMEA stands for Failure Mode and Effects Analysis. It’s a method that helps you identify potential risks in your product or service and assess the likelihood of those risks occurring. The goal is to reduce risk by identifying and eliminating possible failure modes before they occur.
What is MSA?
Measurement System Analysis (MSA) determines whether a particular measurement method is suitable for measuring a specific characteristic.
If the measurement system chosen has too much variation or is not stable enough, an unacceptable product could be accepted, resulting in customer dissatisfaction. On the other hand, good products may be rejected, putting unnecessary pressure on the organization to respond to a condition that doesn't require action.
Errors in the measurement system are unavoidable.
What is SPC?
Statistical Process Control (SPC) is a statistical method used to collect and analyze data from product and process measurements. It helps understand the difference between common and special causes of variation. Its primary purpose is to determine whether the process is in control or whether we need to act on the process.
Conclusion
Core Tools aims to provide high-quality products that meet or exceed the automobile industry's requirements and customer expectations. They can help ensure compliance with industry standards and improve the production and delivery processes across the entire supply chain.