Ford - Dropped Gage Policy

[TommyT]

We are a Ford Q1 supplier & have to fill out a yearly report. This one has a new-to-me subject:
"Do you have a 'dropped gage' policy in effect ?"
Nope - we don't - but I guess now we need to. So........
Anyone have any good verbage to include in my gage control policy ? Thanks. TommyT.

[Hermann]

We added a section "Defects" to our General Test Instruction stating that defective equipment (e.g. as a result of dropping or damage) must not be used. The shop foreman and inspector are to be informed. They decide on necessary measures.

I know it's banal but it answers section II 5.4 of the Site Assessment

[Marc]

I won't address the policy issue beyond saying that anyone who has to take a measurement should at least be trained and have the background (if you will) to understand that if you drop a measuring device (or many other things) there is a possibility that the fall broke it and that if they're in the least bit suspicious they should stop using it. They should also understand that if they're seeing results that they don't usually see or expect, whether they've dropped it or not, the same applies.

Ford may require a writen policy to address an issue such as this but it's a silly requirement. They must have some real 'interesting' suppliers if they have suppliers who have people taking measurements who aren't qualified to use the device / gage (read understand some real basic stuff - like, if it's dropped it may be broken).

A 'dropped gage' policy. Sheesh. Next it'll be a Common Sense' policy.

[Marc]

Originally posted by Hermann

We added a section "Defects" to our General Test Instruction stating that defective equipment (e.g. as a result of dropping or damage) must not be used. The shop foreman and inspector are to be informed. They decide on necessary measures.

I know it's banal but it answers section II 5.4 of the Site Assessment

Excellent! Simple and does the job.

[TommyT]

That's a pretty cool rule, Herman. It lets intelligent decisions be made by the local authority. If I put in a "every dropped gage needs to be returned to the cal. dept. for evaluation" that would bring in every feeler gage and other non-critical item. Also, who would decide what a 'drop' is ? >18" ? more than 2.345 g's ?
I like it.
Thanks.
TommyT.

[Danny Houston]

TommyT said:

We are a Ford Q1 supplier & have to fill out a yearly report. This one has a new-to-me subject:
"Do you have a 'dropped gage' policy in effect ?"
Nope - we don't - but I guess now we need to. So........
Anyone have any good verbage to include in my gage control policy ? Thanks. TommyT.

Our policy simply states: Gages are precision instruments and are handled as such. Rough handling of gages will not be tolerated. If any gage is dropped it is to be returned to quality or engineering to be re-calibrated or replace.d.