In an effort to “broaden my horizons” I’ve been reading the AIAG PPAP document. Other then demonstrating process capability on a reasonable sample what is the purpose of this process (keep in mind I’m not in the automotive industry)? Is achieving approval ever justification for elimination of any inspection of this part at the customers’ site (ship to stock)?

Thanks,
Bob

There is much more than attaining capability on a reasonable sample there. . . and it is up to the customer what they inspect and when. . . PPAP has no bearing on that. It is determined by what happens when the parts are used.

Capability does not equal compatibility???

Al...

...Is achieving approval ever justification for elimination of any inspection of this part at the customers’ site (ship to stock)?
Since all parts are required to have PPAP approval before being used (unless approved by the customer, but we won't go there right now...), that would allow all parts to be ship-to-stock. In actual practice the customer will do whatever they want to do anyway, regardless of PPAP approval. If the customer is following TS 16949, this is what they will do:The organization shall have a process to assure the quality of purchased product (see 7.4.3) utilizing one or more of the following methods:
- receipt of, and evaluation of, statistical data by the organization;
- receiving inspection and/or testing such as sampling based on performance;
- second- or third-party assessments or audits of supplier sites, when coupled with records of acceptable delivered product quality;
- part evaluation by a designated laboratory;
- another method agreed with the customer.

Other then demonstrating process capability on a reasonable sample what is the purpose of this process (keep in mind I’m not in the automotive industry)?
Thanks,
Bob
In my view this is in fact a minor side of the coin.
The PPAP is supposed to be the culmination of the quality planning stage (APQP) and shows the validation of the design of the production process.
Capability in terms of characteristics is les important that robustness of process and thus the customer wants to see your thinking as to how the controls were developed.