Capability Study and Qualifying a Supplier

[KyloDen]

I am currently in the process of moving a particular component to a new supplier (stamping process). As part of moving it, the new supplier needs to submit a new PPAP package. Normally I would have them complete a capability study as part of the package. However, the purchasing dept. has agreed upon a 300 pc. order (three separate part numbers, a -001, -002, and -003) to get samples made, measured, and all the other fun stuff associated with a regular PPAP. However 300 pcs is about a 10 minute run, and to have them do a capability study based on this run time seems pointless to me. Does anyone see a problem with qualifying this supplier as "conditional", and have them submit a full capability study based on an 8 hour production run once purchasing gives them a full order? Then, assuming the study comes back in order, granting full approved supplier status?

 

[howste]

Your organization has the ability to chose its own criteria for supplier approval. On that aspect, I see no problem. But I hope that there are more criteria for supplier approval than just a capability study done on one part number...

 

[normzone]

Given the nature of the process, the results should be relatively predictable. I know, many a train wreck began with that assumption.

I would be more concerned about their ability to be cooperative. The plan you describe would scratch the surface of that. This involves moving dies and all that stuff, correct? It sounds like you're pretty committed anyway by that point.

Why did you leave the previous supplier? That issue may be what should be examined with this one.

 

[Golfman25]

Are you using existing tools? Are those tools capable? You certainly could do interim approval based on 300 pcs. Then if it makes you more comfortable check the numbers over a full production run. And go from there.

 

[Emmyd]

I am currently in the process of moving a particular component to a new supplier (stamping process). As part of moving it, the new supplier needs to submit a new PPAP package. Normally I would have them complete a capability study as part of the package. However, the purchasing dept. has agreed upon a 300 pc. order (three separate part numbers, a -001, -002, and -003) to get samples made, measured, and all the other fun stuff associated with a regular PPAP. However 300 pcs is about a 10 minute run, and to have them do a capability study based on this run time seems pointless to me. Does anyone see a problem with qualifying this supplier as "conditional", and have them submit a full capability study based on an 8 hour production run once purchasing gives them a full order? Then, assuming the study comes back in order, granting full approved supplier status?

My biggest question comes from the new supplier getting the transfer tooling - we have been in this same situation many times. My first question as the new supplier would be getting an exit PPAP with capability studies from the old supplier - was the tool/process capable at their location? What are the existing quality issues and any past quality issues at the old supplier with these parts?

It has been our experience with transfer tools is that the customer is expecting a simple tool transfer to resolve all quality issues with no changes to the tool.

It is always interesting when transfers occur - you never really know what you are getting into. We've received some tools that were absolutely trashed and were expected to make parts 100% to print when the tools had never (even at the old supplier) made parts to print.

Be considerate and flexible when dealing your new supplier - there may not be a problem with asking for a capability study from them - but understand that what they do can only be at the same or slightly better level as the prior supplier did on the same tool.

Good luck!

 

[normzone]

Excellent point, [EmmyD].

" It has been our experience with transfer tools is that the customer is expecting a simple tool transfer to resolve all quality issues with no changes to the tool.

It is always interesting when transfers occur - you never really know what you are getting into. We've received some tools that were absolutely trashed and were expected to make parts 100% to print when the tools had never (even at the old supplier) made parts to print. "

Yeah, I've had potential new suppliers turn down our business because we were not able to provide them with cycle time information from the previous supplier. And management felt that moving the mold to a new supplier would resolve the cosmetic problems caused by mold damage.