As9100 4.10 - Identification of production inspection instruments

I am having trouble interpretating AS9100 element 4.10.1 "identification of production inspection instruments." I
am not quite clear on the intent of this statement.

[BadgerMan]

I believe that it is requiring you to list or describe (description or actual ID number?) the gage to be used for the inspection operation within the specific inspection work instruction. I have always prefered to have the actual ID number listed so there is never a question. However, my hunch is that only a good clear description is required. Any other opinions?

What I would add to Badgerman's message, because I think he has already said it in his own words, you have to list critical dimensions that are flight safety, customer or your company driven. Any 1st piece or in-process Inspection requirements that would include any special gaging used to verify the same. There may have been previous non-conformances. The inspection checklist would list those things as part of the final inspection record for that particular part. The next time you make that part, the production/inspection frequencies/instruments are already defined. That should satisfy production inspection instruments requirements.

energy

Is it necessary to have inspection sheets identifying inspection equipment for each product? We have over 5000 different part numbers and manufacture to customer prints as well. Would a procedure describing types of gaging for similarity of parts be in
compliance?

Inspector 1,

Although I’m not the expert, I worked ( 18 months) at a sheet metal shop where they produced brackets for aircraft. The major Customers are Pratt & Whitney, US and Canada, Hamilton Sundstrand and several other Airline industry suppliers. They had source inspectors from these companies sampling product prior to shipping. The two main “documents” they concerned themselves with were the Operations Traveler and the Inspection records. The Operations traveler specified at each step of the operation, the process, the dimension sought, any special gaging, (no, they didn’t say to use a calibrated micrometer-they are trained operators), the inspection frequency (after 1st piece Inspection), and a place to put your little initials. The Inspection record listed the characteristics to inspect, any special gages to use, pass or fail boxes and the place for the Inspector to sign off. Yes, they made thousands of different parts and they have operation sheets for every part they ever made and an Inspection record for each. Once they are put into the database, whatever you use, it’s done. When you get the job, just print them and go. Of course, the closer to the engine you get, the more Customer involvement in determining critical characteristics. Many times they supply the tooling and gages for you to use. Your original post was referring to calling out instrumentation to inspect with. These operations would specify, Optical Comparator, Super Mike, CMM, etc. They did not address how to verify measurements for every dimension. This was considered a training issue. Special gaging is the what you worry about and specifying other instruments capable of meeting the tolerances that can not be measured by conventional equipment. I will add, there was no such thing as too much paperwork with these Customer QAR’s. If you are doing the same type of work, AS 9000 is the Standard, you probably already have many of the things I mentioned. Just look at each job as they come in, add your special gaging instructions and build your database. I wouldn’t worry about the 5000 parts you already shipped successfully, start now. You can do it. Sure you can.

energy

[Hoeyster]

OK let me get this straight, the inspection checklist only needs to contain the measurement device for special gaging required per AS9100? I am a new Quality Manager and I am headed down the path of identifying gaging in my facility by serializing them. I will then put that gaging on my IMS (inspection method sheet) being identified by the serial number. But, I was going to do it for every characteristic, critical or not. Am I going way over and above what I really need to do? Am I creating more work for myself than I need to?

[Jennifer Kirley]

Originally Posted by Hoeyster

OK let me get this straight, the inspection checklist only needs to contain the measurement device for special gaging required per AS9100? I am a new Quality Manager and I am headed down the path of identifying gaging in my facility by serializing them. I will then put that gaging on my IMS (inspection method sheet) being identified by the serial number. But, I was going to do it for every characteristic, critical or not. Am I going way over and above what I really need to do? Am I creating more work for myself than I need to?

It sounds like you are overworking it to me.

To satisfy the standard, I would list the gage serial numbers for critical characteristics as required only and, I hope I understand you right, at the point of inspection. I would not define these gages in a work order, procedure etc. by serial number unless there is never going to be a substitution without revising the document and/or you are being extremely careful to ensure only that exact gage will be used.