Some Basics
Response to post by TownDawg
> In fact, some of our customers are very vocal about WHAT
> information goes WHERE.
We are talking about the Characteristics column which has 3 sub-columns - No., Product and Process. Right?
> You bring up many good points, Jim. Regarding visual
> inspection, how does one measure and verify?.. My take is
> that we use boundary samples and other product-related
> knowledge to determine whether the process is
> accomplishing it's intended result.
Sounds like a weiner to me!
> Without writing an epistle here, let me focus back on the
> original concept that us here are trying to reconcile.
> First: For each process step, as listed on the control
> plan, I stand by my original argument that a process
> characteristic always exists
Yup - if it's on the control plan it's a characteristic which must be controlled. But product characteristic(s) may also be related to the process - hence the Product sub-column.
There are also process characteristics which are not criitical/special/whatever may exist which are not on the control plan (just a thought to screw up the works here...).
> but what about a product
> characteristic? I am of the opinion that there are no
> product characteristics for placing FIP headrest in a
> mold; only those related to the process - in that we have
> certain visual cues that tell the operator that the OIS
> (operator instruction sheet) is being carried out in a
> repeatable fashion.
As long as placement is not an issue, then it's not an issue. How can you tell? It sounds to me like you're putting something in a mold and that there is something in the mold which 'fixtures' it. I don't know what an FIP headrest is - is it a metal frame or something?
Did this come from the Design
FMEA or the Process FMEA? Design FMEA characteristics are Product (Characterisics sub-column) characteristics. Process FMEA characteristics are Process (Characterisics sub-column) characteristics.
> I have seen control plans where the product characteristic
> is depicted as the 'sub-component name'; i.e., headrest
> assembly. I struggle with this view of WHAT information
> goes WHERE. On the same control chart, the process
> characteristic is listed as 'preparation'. Similar process
> steps (that follow this line of reasoning) would be listed
> as 'clean' or 'demold'.
Preparation listed as a characteristic? I would think there would be preparation characteristic(s), if anything, but not preparation as a characteristic as a lone item. I'd have to see a copy of the control plan and FMEAs to see what's going on.
I would consider 'clean' or 'demold' or 'trim flash' as process characteristics - not product characteristics, but I guess you could go either way. Again, where did they come from? The Design or the Process FMEA?
> Al/Marc: If the FMEA is prepared in the Quality 101 order,
> then we know what those product/process characteristics
> are, because we have identified them during our
> investigation process. Since our goal is to ensure that
> those characteristics are being met, that information is
> transferred to the control plan. Further explanation of
> the how/when/where is described on the OIS.
What is OIS?
Or am I confusing the whole issue here? :thedeal: