Do I have to do a Layout Inspection? Automotive

When do I have to performe Layout Inspection?

If no notification is given from customer do I have to do it? and what parts does it include? is it parts on production or in stock?
If no products are available at plant when is it relevant to performe layout inspection?

[Marc]

Typically you do a layout prior to starting production and if you're automotive I know Chrysler wants a complete layout once a year.

You should look first to customer requirements and next to what makes sense to you.

Typically you do a layout on what you ship but some companies, depending on factors such as criticality, trust and supplier history, may do complete layout on (some) components. This is supposed to be defined early in the game (what are your receiving inspection requirements and how are they determined?).

Whether you do a complete layout on your product or not depends on the exact scenario. What do you make? How detailed are the drawings? Which dimensions are critical (if any).

You ask: "If no notification is given from customer do I have to do it?" Well, I guess not (technically).

You ask: "what parts does it include? is it parts on production or in stock?" Typically it will be a 'first off' from a production run.

You ask: "If no products are available at plant when is it relevant to performe layout inspection?" Well, are you buying product and drop-shipping it to a customer from your supplier? In such a situation, if you need a layout you should require your suppier to provide one. If you need one and they cannot do one, I suppose you would have to have one shipped to you.

I have seen partial layouts (only check critical characteristics) and I have seen complete (if it's on the drawing, it has to be measured).

NOTE: Some complex drawings with GD&T contain too many points for a supplier to measure - which is where MSA plays an important part. Can you even measure it? You may have experienced where you have to first get this DIM and then key off it to get another DIM and then use THAT one to key off of for the DIM you are wanting to measure. Sopmetimes these are complex and the error takes up the better part of, or more than, the actual tolerance. I should also say that I have seen a lot of really badly done drawings some of which didn't have a point to key off of to get to another DIM (as one example). So - beware. Measurement and Test is becoming more demanding every year.

[Casana]

Got a similar question... 4.10.4.1 states that the "layout inspection needs to happen at a frequency established by customer (see Section II)". Section II lists specific requirements from Ford,GM,etc. What if you are a Tier II supplier, does that mean 4.10.4.1 doesn't apply?

Casana,

I believe that the section would apply as directed by your tier I customer.

MHO
ASD...