Advanced product quality planning / APQP

APQP (advanced product quality planning) is an effective method for advance quality planning. This structured procedure is used to plan quality assurance in series production. The main objective of this planning is to meet customer requirements. The corresponding processes from the automotive industry have now been adopted by various sectors.

The first step is a feasibility study. This assessment is carried out in an interdisciplinary manner.

When the order is placed, the various production steps are recorded and displayed in a process flow diagram.

The basis of advance quality planning at elfo ag is the process FMEA (failure mode and effects analysis) and the production control plan derived from it. Finally, the corresponding test instructions are created from this.

The sampling procedure (PPAP) includes capability studies (SPC) and measurement system analyses (MSA) if required and agreed.

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«With consistent advance quality planning, we develop the basis for meeting customer requirements»

Werner Inderkum, Head of Quality Management System
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Programming measuring machine

A programme is created per part to measure the corresponding positions.

Instruments of APQP

  1. Feasibility studies

    The part is checked for feasibility. In case of critical requirements, we make suggestions for optimisation so that manufacturability can be achieved.

  2. Process flow diagram

    The planned production process is shown in all steps with a flow chart.

  3. P-FMEA

    With a process FMEA (failure mode and effects analysis), we identify weak points in the entire manufacturing process and define measures to reduce the corresponding risks.

  4. Control plan

    The product-specific production control plan is created from the process FMEA. The measures from the P-FMEA are incorporated here.

  5. Test instructions

    The corresponding test instructions for the production process are created from the production control plan.

  6. PPAP (Production Part Approval Process)

    For the sampling of new parts, we follow the production part approval process (PPAP) by agreement.

  7. Capability studies (SPC)

    Capability tests for special characteristics can be carried out with SPC measurements if required. For the evaluation of the cpk values we work with the Q-DAS system.

  8. Testing and measuring equipment

    The measuring and testing equipment is already defined in the production control plan. Appropriate recording and monitoring of the measuring equipment is a matter of course.

  9. Measurement system analyses (MSA)

    Depending on requirements and needs, we also carry out measurement system analyses (for example MSA1 and MSA2).

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