| |
Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP)
Advanced Product Quality Panning (APQP) is a structured approach to the
design and development of new products and manufacturing processes, designed to
ensure that-
- Suppliers understand the requirements of their commercial clients, end
users and
consumers.
- The proposed product or process design satisfies those requirements
- The supplier has the ability to consistently meet the clients requirements
for quality, cost and delivery
The APQP process was developed by a consortia of automotive companies, and
first published by the
Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) in 1994, and has since been adopted by many
companies involved it the design and production of vehicles and component
systems. APQP is now recognised in the TS 16949 Quality Standard as a
possible customer requirement, and when specified becomes mandatory for all
component suppliers.
A key features of the APQP process include:-
- The use of common terminology throughout the component supply chain, and
the use of 'standard forms' to document information regarding the product
and process design, to ease communication with the supply chain partners
- A process model for Product Development, that defines the expected
inputs and outputs for each of the sub-processes, including
- Project definition
- Project planning
- Product design and development
- Design validation
- Process design and development
- Process validation
- Control Plan methodology
- The use of recommended 'tools and techniques' to improve product and process
quality, including:-
- Failure Modes Effects Analysis (FMEA) during system, product and
process design to identify and control 'risk'
- Statistical techniques and Statistical Process Control (SPC) to
control process variation and minimise it's impact on product quality
- Measurement System Analysis (MSA) to ensure that measuring systems are
suitable, allowing non conforming product to be detected and removed
from the supply chain.
- A control plan methodology, to ensure non-conforming product is
contained within the process and is not released to clients or
consumers
- Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) to assure commercial
clients the supplier has understood their requirements and has the
ability to consistently produce conforming product.
-
To learn how APQP applies to your organisation, or arrange training and support
implementing APQP, call +44 (0)1772 452240 or contact Phil Stunell now.
| |
For help, advice, training or support to improve your
business performance
Call
+44 (0)1772 452240
Fax
+44 (0)870 6221746
E-Mail Info@stunell.com
Stunell Technology
11 St James Garden
Leyland
PR26 7XA
Independent
advice and expertise to improve business performance
|
