Is there a specific defintion for process change according to AIAG PPAP requirements? Example: Moving a welder across the floor 50 foot, is that a process change?

Thank you for your input.

Is there a specific defintion for process change according to AIAG PPAP requirements? Example: Moving a welder across the floor 50 foot, is that a process change?

Thank you for your input.

Moving a piece of equipment within the same facility does not constitute a process change. In general, process changes are considered to be those that result from the introduction of new tooling or substantially different machines (e.g., changing from laser cutting to stamping) or in a significant change in the process flow. The 4th Edition PPAP manual refers to "rearrangement of existing...equipment" as reason for notifying the customer, but defines "rearrangement" as
...activity that changes the sequence of product/process flow from that documented in the process flow diagram (including the addition of a new process).

would moving a welder to another location be considered a process change, the location is another building?

would moving a welder to another location be considered a process change, the location is another building?

Let the manual be your guide. I'm assuming that by "welder," you're referring to a machine and not a person :D . The manual says that you must notify the customer when Production process tooling and/or equipment [is] transferred between buildings or facilities at one or more sites.

While I agree with Jim's interpretation of the documents I would emphasize that process change in this context is anything that can impact how the process performs ... anything that might cause the process to operate differently after the change has been made.

Typically a process change procedure/process will first: 1) identify that a change is planned, 2) evaluate whether or not the change is likely to impact performance, 3) plan for validation of the answer to #2 is Yes.

So if moving the welder is unlikely to impact the quality of welds, then don't worry about it. If it's possible that it will, and that the normal means of controlling/evaluating the process might not detect the change, then do worry about it ... develop a validation plan.

So if moving the welder is unlikely to impact the quality of welds, then don't worry about it.

The original question pertains to PPAP requirements, so it doesn't make any difference whether the OP feels that there will be a quality impact; customer notification is required.

Looking at what you said and the way you said it, all you did was move the welder.

If moving has no effect on the process related to quality put it on the roof if you want.

Randy is, as always, spouting common sense.

Jim, however, is quoting a requirement of the PPAP manual and the two don't always go together.

Simplistically, just moving the welder shouldn't have an effect on the process but there may be other considerations such as additional transport, handling, storage and protection of the product between processes which could require changes to the process flow diagram, control plan, PFMEA etc.