IATF 16949 Core Tools Training

APQP:

Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) is a product development methodology followed in IATF 16949, TS 16949. The purpose of APQP is “to produce a product quality plan which will support the development of a product or service that will satisfy the customer.”

Control Plan:

Another standard method of IATF 16949, TS 16949 but extensively used in all industries with same or similar requirements. Control plan defines the controls exercised by the organization on various processes during different stages.

The control plan is applicable at 3 stages

1. Prototype development stage
2. Pre-launch stage
3. Production stage

Both part-specific and product family-based control plans are used and provide guidance for process and product acceptance to concerned decision makers which may include machine operators, quality personnel or customer.

FMEA:

Failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) is a prevention-based early warning system used widely in IATF 16949, Reliability Engineering, Product Development, and Operations management. FMEA is a team activity that identifies potential failure modes based on past experience with similar products or processes or based on common failure to prevent such failures in advance and saving potential losses, cost, and time.

MSA:

Measurement System Analysis (MSA) is a collection of many statistical analysis methods of evaluating variability in the measurement process. Some popular methods of MSA include Gauge R&R analysis, bias Study, Linearity study, measurement uncertainty, etc.

The processes that produce a product may vary, the process of obtaining measurements and data may have variation and produce defects. A Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA) evaluates the test method, measuring instruments, and the entire process of obtaining measurements to ensure that variability of the measurement system is within acceptable limits and to evaluate its impact on process acceptance indicators.

SPC:

SPC (Statistical Process Control) is also a collection of statistical methods used to control a process within desired limits and to identify patterns of normal (random or chance cause) variation and special (assignable cause) variation in order to identify opportunities for intervention in the process and to take a correct decision on the process and product acceptance.

PPAP:

Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) is the mechanism of qualifying a process for production during various stages e.g. Prototype development, Pre-launch, and routine/bulk production.

In IATF 16949 system, a supplier obtains PPAP approval from a customer based on the fulfillment of process qualification requirements set by the customer or as per the PPAP manual where no specific requirements are set by the customer.