What is classified as Key Equipment?

[slewis]

I am trying to understand the term key equipment. I am having an ongoing battle with some manufacturing engineers about the term key equipment and how/what equipment should be called out in contingency plans and FMEA's.

An example - If a product is assembled on an automated machine, specific to that product and it has been PPAP'd. If the automated equipment breaks down and you need to assemble by another means, like hand fixtures, how/does this affect the conditions of the original PPAP?

[Claes Gefvenberg]

Hello slewis, and welcome to the Cove I moved your question to this forum. You will probably get more and better answers here.

/Claes

[Jim Wynne]

In Reply to Parent Post by slewis

I am trying to understand the term key equipment. I am having an ongoing battle with some manufacturing engineers about the term key equipment and how/what equipment should be called out in contingency plans and FMEA's.

An example - If a product is assembled on an automated machine, specific to that product and it has been PPAP'd. If the automated equipment breaks down and you need to assemble by another means, like hand fixtures, how/does this affect the conditions of the original PPAP?

PPAP assumes a standard (or standarized) manufacturing process, and is the supplier's way of demonstrating the efficacy of it. If the manufacturing process changes in any significant way (i.e., potential process failure modes are different), it's cause to at least notify the customer. MOving from an automated to a manual process is a good example of when notification (and probably PPAP) is necessary.

[antoine.dias]

I totally agree with Jim.
The automated machine certainly is key equipment because otherwise you cannot deliver as agreed. ( agreed via PPAP approval )
A PPAP approval means product and process approval.

In the case of the example you changed the process so,

You will certainly have to :
- inform the customer ( and fulfil every extra request ).
- look for other possible failure modes in the FMEA.
- look for other way to have it under controlled condition ( change needed in the control plan ).
- ......

Best regards,

Antoine

[Caster]

In Reply to Parent Post by slewis

I am trying to understand the term key equipment......

I was surprised NOT to be able to find a definition of key equipment in QS or TS. Is it defined in an ISO document somewhere? Ot have I just missed it?

Googling the phrase leads to the Cove!

[Laura M]

Right, wrong, or in print anywhere, I've always understood the definition of key equipment to be that which really doesn't have a replacement option. If manual assembly is acceptable, either PPAP both up front, with customer knowledge that it's an 'alternate' process. However, you will probably need to let them know which process you are using. From a lot control/traceability standpoint.

[Helmut Jilling]

In Reply to Parent Post by slewis

I am trying to understand the term key equipment. I am having an ongoing battle with some manufacturing engineers about the term key equipment and how/what equipment should be called out in contingency plans and FMEA's.

An example - If a product is assembled on an automated machine, specific to that product and it has been PPAP'd. If the automated equipment breaks down and you need to assemble by another means, like hand fixtures, how/does this affect the conditions of the original PPAP?

I don't think the intent of the standard was to get into a debate over the term "key equipment." I think they intended it to remain rather generic because it was pretty obvious.

If equipment is important to the process, or, if it is "key" to the process, I think the assumption is you will maintain it properly.

Despite the fact that if "the automated equipment breaks down" you can "assemble by another means" that is not the intent of the clause. When you call the customer to explain why you will drop down to (slower, inconsistent) hand assembly, I would like to eavesdrop on the part where you tell them it was because you didn't deem it "key equipment" so the maintenance was not a priority???

If it is important gear, why not class it as key equipment? It just makes sense. Protect your investment, and the customer's interests.