Customer requires Internal Specification to be met on PPAP

[timkunce]

My company submitted PPAP for a new product. The customer responded that we were missing the documentation required (Capability, additional checks) by the "W" marking on the customer's print. On research we find that the "W" characteristic is defined on document 123-456. We requested document 123-456 from the customer but we were told that it is for internal use only and they can not share it with us.

I believe that I should respond to the customer saying if they can't release the document to us defining what we need to do, then we can not be required to do it

Thoughts?

 

[AndyN]

Tim: It sounds like your organization made a commitment, by taking on this work, which made it all the way to PPAP, without a key piece of information being present. I'd suggest that you have a failure of your contract review process - however, since you are where you are, made if they can't share the whole document, they'd give you the specifics related to the actual print characteristic - if that's how it works and the whole document isn't about the one feature...

 

[timkunce]

Andy,

During contract review we asked our SQE if this print had any critical characteristics that would require special treatment. (I'm not sure if we have this in writing or if it was a phone conversation), we were told there were no special characteristics.

I've requested more of the document, but I received part of the document and a statement "I can provide no further information". Their supplier quality manual states what they want from a special characteristic but not what defines a special characteristic.

 

[AndyN]

OK, so is there an SQE "boss"? If you can't get any joy from the SQE, maybe his boss or even the Purchasing people. Of course getting this stuff in writing is always the rule, but surely, if they want you to do the job, the Purchasing people should be fired up to help here...

 

[timkunce]

The SQE again has stonewalled me, I'm going to try the purchasing people to get the document.

 

[Kronos147]

Sometimes a contract has a little statement in it to the effect due date from time of receipt of all drawings and specifications. If the PO has that clause, you could rattle it like a sabre.

The buyer may have a way of lighting the fire.

 

[Golfman25]

Find the guy that can release the specification to you. Those that say they cannot are just minions who don't comprehend the issue. I would start with the individual who "rejected" the PPAP. If they can't provide it, then maybe they'll change their mind.

I would be also weary of "internal" specifications. Many times they are really company specific. We see it with steel specifications which dictate the size and weight of steel coils. What works for them in many cases will not work for us.

Good luck.

 

[IRONPOORER]

And if they continue to refuse to share the spec with you, you can simply check "does not conform" on the PSW and in the explaination/comment section explain it.

I doubt they sign the PSW but it may get you the spec.