The digitalization and digital transformation of entire processes bring new tasks and challenges – also for the quality manager. Nine identified arenas of digitalization determine the daily quality work. In this series we present the respective arenas and show why quality managers play a key role in digital change. The Automotive Core Tools are up first.
In order to ensure a stable and problem-free supply to customers in the supply chain of the automotive industry, professional planning is required before series production starts as well as during and after production. Six important quality management methods have been established for this purpose, defined by the VDA as the so-called Automotive Core Tools. The goal of these methods is product and process quality along the entire supply chain. The modules help to minimize risks, keep processes stable, solve problems and support the requirements of IATF 16949.
Statistical process control uses statistical methods to investigate how production processes and service processes can be optimized. With SPC software, statistical process control is established as an important part of quality assurance. The measured values can be recorded automatically and further processed.
The Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is a generally applicable, analytical method in quality management. It serves to find possible product defects – even before they occur. By taking appropriate measures, potential errors can then be avoided in advance.
In the manufacturing of high-quality products it is essential that the monitoring of production processes is planned in detail. Control plans are used to generate inspection plans and instructions for the safe execution of quality inspections in incoming and outgoing goods inspections as well as during production
Capable test equipment is indispensable to enable an objective evaluation of measurement results and the resulting decisions. Measurement system analysis is the analysis of the capability of measuring equipment and complete measurement systems in quality management.
Initial samples are used to release a product for series production and thus also for the delivery release of series parts. All important information on corresponding requirements and tests are summarized and documented in the initial sample test report with the corresponding results.
It is a systematic approach to the processing of complaints and the corresponding documentation as well as the tracking of individual solution steps in the form of actions. On the basis of eight steps, a product defect is traced back to its causes in a fact-oriented manner in order to eliminate them permanently.
In the context of a customer audit, the so-called “red thread” is often mentioned, which suppliers today are intensively audited by their customers. With the software-supported introduction of these six tools, successfully operating companies have established a quality control loop that exceeds the expectations of an “Industry 4.0 discussion” in a very practical and customer-oriented manner. The Automotive Core Tools were, are and will therefore remain a prioritized arena for the quality managers.
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