Forgive me if this has been asked before, but I could not find anything in regards to it. I have "fallen" into the job of PPAP's. Our company does not have many to do, but enough to keep me a bit busy with all the other things I do around here. I have the 4th edition spreadsheets and can enter in the data well enough, but don't really understand what all of it means. Is there a good place to go or info to read where I can get my feet wet in what I am doing?

Thanks for any help you can give. These forums have already answered alot of questions for me.

DM, welcome to the posting side of the Cove. There are a lot of good threads dealing with PPAP right here on the Cove. Scroll down on this page to see a list of related threads. One of those might help.

If you are looking for a book on PPAP, contact the AIAG and order the PPAP Reference Manual - Fourth Edition.

If there is anything specific you need help with, just ask.

Dave

Also see: The basics of the APQP Process (http://Elsmar.com/APQP/).

Are you just having problems with the spreadsheets or the whole APQP concept?

Forgive me if this has been asked before, but I could not find anything in regards to it. I have "fallen" into the job of PPAP's. Our company does not have many to do, but enough to keep me a bit busy with all the other things I do around here. I have the 4th edition spreadsheets and can enter in the data well enough, but don't really understand what all of it means. Is there a good place to go or info to read where I can get my feet wet in what I am doing?

Thanks for any help you can give. These forums have already answered alot of questions for me.
Welcome.
I think that you should demystify the issue.
PPAP is the documentation of the part and process development (APQP).

The index- PSW
There is the design of the process with the flow chart, FMEA and Control plan
There is the verification of the equipment MSA etc
Verification of the part , functional and dimensionals
Validation of the process- Capability study.

Forgive me if this has been asked before, but I could not find anything in regards to it. I have "fallen" into the job of PPAP's. Our company does not have many to do, but enough to keep me a bit busy with all the other things I do around here. I have the 4th edition spreadsheets and can enter in the data well enough, but don't really understand what all of it means. Is there a good place to go or info to read where I can get my feet wet in what I am doing?

Thanks for any help you can give. These forums have already answered alot of questions for me.

You can also try your local ASQ section. http://www.asq.org/sections/index.html to find the section nearest to you. Many times, they can hook you up with a local mentor, someone who is an expert in the topic. Since you are in the 'land of PPAP' in MI, you can probably also find a number of locally available classes on APQP, which will certainly help you. A google search will turn up many. One of the best resources is the Cove's own Marc! I notice he has already posted!

--QG

Hi, We also had this same question in mind when we started producing automotive components. Apart from all the good advice on WHAT both APQP and PPAPs are, we learned some valuable lessons. My ramblings may not be as others see it, but rather my own observations on the question at hand.

APQP is the planning phase. Do not try to do this AFTER you have started production purely as a paper excercise because it is a requirement. Do it upfront. APQP is the part where you plan out your program. Involve EVERYONE. Well planned is half the job done successfully. At this point you will almost be looking at a crystal ball, or tarot cards - here in africa we may get a witch doctor to throw the bones. You are looking at what the customer wants, then planning the product build and robust process. We learnt that long involved and complicated process routes cost time and money. KISS.
You will also be looking at DFMEAs and control plans. There are alot of posts on these. Initially you are looking at what may go wrong, and controls for prevention and detection. DO NOT kid yourself that the process is such that nothing will go wrong and that your controls are brilliant. Continually improve wherever possible. Murphy the lawyer, and author of the rule Murphys law is active always. Your prototype is important too. If you do a quick fix to get the prototype out, you have failed before you start. Be wary of cost all the way upto this point as bad design of product or process can cost you dearly. Important too is GIVE THE CUSTOMER WHAT HE WANTED - his spec is law.

So, onto the PPAP. PPAPs are not a "part time" job and are not meant to be done because the system says so. They are invaluable documentary evidence that the part conforms to the specification, that you process is stable, and capable. It is good evidence that you are compliant, and as a living document will tell you when you are going wrong. It is important to determine what level of PPAP submission is required - this will influence the content of the PPAP. If APQP was done well, the PPAP will be easy to compile.

A final word on this - if you need to put your part into the IMDS database, get some help. We had a few issues completing the IMDS statement.

Good luck

Forgive me if this has been asked before, but I could not find anything in regards to it. I have "fallen" into the job of PPAP's. Our company does not have many to do, but enough to keep me a bit busy with all the other things I do around here. I have the 4th edition spreadsheets and can enter in the data well enough, but don't really understand what all of it means. Is there a good place to go or info to read where I can get my feet wet in what I am doing?

Thanks for any help you can give. These forums have already answered alot of questions for me.


If you have a doubt ask the Customer Quality Analyst or SQA if they can provide you examples.

I just moved away from Michigan. I used to work for a company named Sandalwood. One of the things I did in that company was to help organizations (mostly automotive suppliers) to learn, understand and implement effectively APQP/PPAP.

There are several Engineering Services firms in that area that can help you to understand and implement APQP/PPAP in your organization. But as mentioned in other related notes, don't try to do it after the fact, because you will only waste your time and won't get any value from APQP/PPAP.