Fun with Metal Forming 101

[Marc]

Situation: Press is set up and run to the point of a 'valid' (correct?) first piece is achieved. We're spooling off of a coil. Many times the operator (Oh, my - Operator Error!) packs parts produced prior to the 1st piece.

Does anyone have any recommendations on how to poka yoke to prevent this? I was thinking a paint or other system which would mark items until the first piece is approved so the setup parts would be highly visible but feel this would be a nightmare.

OK, metal stampers, what say ye?

[Atul Khandekar]

Two bins?

[CarolX]

Marc,

Here's what we do.......

Any parts produced during the set-up of the machine are marked with a yellow paint pen like this

s/u

to identify it as a part produced during set-up. Frequently, we can use these parts for set-up at additional operations (i.e. a formed part from the brake can be used to set-up the spot welder).

I assume the operator is packing set-up pieces, correct?

Not a nightmare....just the KIS system.

Regards,
CarolX

[Marc]

CarolX said:

Marc,

Here's what we do.......

Any parts produced during the set-up of the machine are marked with a yellow paint pen like this

s/u

to identify it as a part produced during set-up. Frequently, we can use these parts for set-up at additional operations (i.e. a formed part from the brake can be used to set-up the spot welder).

I assume the operator is packing set-up pieces, correct?

This is what I'm being told by several managers and a QE there. Believe it or not I suggested this yesterday (day 1) - but was thinking of the machine marking the parts until the setup was complete because I don't trust operators in this setting to mark the pieces.

I'm still investigating the process. Only been there 2 days - but, it's a place I set up the quality system for in 1991-2 so things have changed a lot - but as you know, some things seem to never change. I was looking over the problems and talking to the folks and I keep hearing our favourite phrase Operator Error . The managers are telling me that they go through the setup and (they believe...) that this is what is happening.

That said, it's been a labour intensive effort company for a long time. QS-9000 now and all that rot. I have seen they have taken a lot of hand work out since 1991 and have put in a lot of robots. I sorta feel silly as I sit there and listen to the managers speak about what's going on and you sorta follow, but then I end up as Columbo and finding possible errors in where they're tossing the blame.

I am just starting to review nonconformance trends and such but wanted to start some minds thinking. And... I admit I was a bit hasty in asking - they had just gotten my computer hooked up and I had to go through heck and high water to get internet access but it wwas turned on and I wanted to see that I could access the forums and post without firewall problems.

That said, I'm not a metal stamping expert and although these folks have been doing this for years (metal forming) I want to jump out of their paradigm by hearing from folks here as I investigate problems and try to provide solutions. They have excellent training programs, but, as we all know, sitting at a press all day does not draw the most enthusiastic employees.

Anyway - this is my first 'information fishing trip'. I'm supposed to be at this place most days for a month or two or three (Know whut I mean, Vern?) so it could get interesting. I'm knee deep in Requests for Corrective Actions. Man - it really HURTS to be on this side of the fence. It's darn near work!

I'll provide more details as I get them to try to narrow this down. I'll review the specific process tomorrow and come back with more details. The bottom line to me is it appears most of this will require poka yoke to reduce (I will never say Eliminate - I'm too old and know better...) the possibility of human error.

I am also interested in hearing from others in an effort to benchmark 'Industry Standards' as soon as I have enough parameters to define the processes (they don't do deep draw, for example, and they do a lot of punching with secondary operations like trim after punch. But - I'll start a thread on that soon.<hr>By the way, for those of you who are Harley fans, the place does the stamping, polishing and silk screening for one of their new, fancy bikes - a V Rod or something (I'm really gonna look to see what model that bike is tomorrow). It's a tear drop, polished aluminum alloy with HARLEY-DAVIDSON silk screened on the metal. Goes over where the gas tank would be between ones legs. The bike in the poster I saw there reminds me of the DeLorean - lots of polished metal, only this is an aluminum alloy instead of SS.

No - I can't sneak one out so don't even ask.

[JRKH]

Just a question. Why are the parts in the area if they are no good? Seems the quickest solution is to circular file them as soon as you have gleened your information.
Carol brings out a good point though about marking parts to be used for setup in subsequent operations. But other than that, I would say get rid of them before the job is turned over to the operator.

James

[Jim Biz]

We basiclly had the same problem with lathe machined connecting pins --- A solution in that particular work environment was to allow 3 marked setup parts move with the load for use in downstream setup ops.

For others *and often there were a dozen or more *- we isolated them in pans at each station until independant inspectors cold go thru them and determine if they were out of tolerance. I suppose with stampings secondary pallets or tubs would be needed depending on size of the part.

I quieted the management folks claiming OPERATOR ERROR at every turn but it took quite awhile..

Operator error is the same as an "unavoidable accident"? there are no unavboidable accidents - there is no operator error - not as a common noncom cause. Not that it can't happen but in very isolated mis-managed situations.


(((((( So.... requests for corrective action seems like work huh?)


Thats one thing I don't miss about working a 6am-5pm job its much easier on the nerves telling someone else they need to do one...

[Sam]

We assign a "pilot lot" work order for new setups. When the parts and process conform to requirements it is released to production. All parts that are produced during the "pilot lot" run are 100% inspected. Those thta conform are placed into production, those that do not are reworked or scrapped.

I worked 18 months, prior to this gig, in a sheet metal stamping outfit who manufactured for Aircraft companies AS9000 wannabees. The operator brought his first piece to the Inspection window. If they chose to run the parts before QC approval, it was at their own risk. Fortunately, they have enough Inspectors so that the wait wasn't too long. What is the scrap rate? Why can't they wait for the OK from QC? Maybe because they were manufacturing for major aircraft companies, they felt the delay to produce something right the first time around was worth the wait. Particularly when dealing with Titanium sheet orders with purchase costs that go through the roof. No scrap sale will recoup that cash. Now, there were times when the Foreman couldn't wait for Inspection, so he made the determination to go ahead. Worked pretty well, most of the time. As the person who processed the rejections, I saw very few times when the product was rejected because 1st piece inspection wasn't accomplished prior to the run. of course, we also had Final Inspection and Customer sampling. The majority of the rejection were for surface finish-handling problems.

And Marc, yes, that's where I experienced all the operator errors as root cause. We, my boss and I, could not convince the company owners that that was not an acceptable root cause. I mean to the point where were chastised for not accepting human error as a cause. There were approx. 100 operators with different skill levels. At least twice a week, we would get an operator error as root cause from a depart ment supervisor. Harldy ever the same person for the same thing. Are you going to foolproof everything? Are you going to train and council everyone because they scrapped (200) $.05 part? It drove me bananas. That's why I'm all ****** up. Be careful, it's catchy. Welcome to the world of presses. Noisy, smelly and very fast paced.