Document Control and 7.5.1 Control of Production - My question is about programs

[Titus]

Good Morning All!

I'll try to keep this short!

We are documenting our current process for the Fab area, laser, Plasma punches etc.
According to the standard, (ISO 9001) if it controls the conformity of the product, the process should be controlled. That pertains to programs, work instructions etc., whatever we deem necessary to meet product requirement.

My question is about programs.

I am a firm believer that the Program title should have all pertinent information including the current Revision level.

Most all of the programs at the machine have the part number with the Revision after the part number 123-4567-00.

I was just told that they were going to make the procedure read that the revision level on the hard copy at the machine is irrelevant and they were going to control the revision level in the programmers office/filing cabinet and the programmer is going to initial the route card verifying that the program is the current revision level.

The problem with that is there are literally hundreds of hard copy programs at the machine filed by part number.

Currently the programmer has a revision card and a hard copy of the origninal program in his office. He does not update the program revision at the machine unless it is a dimensional change. He says they are good parts. (Old School, I have always done it this way).

So we could walk up to a machine and find revision C on the print and the program may read A in his control. To me that is a finding, no matter how you explain it in your procedure.

We do have some good things in the works as I write but it may take a couple of months to get them implemented and I have a Pre-assessment in January. (We are adding PC's at the machines that will be connected to the Network. Which will elimnate the problem above or give us better control)

I know when establishing a system that you are to document the current process, audit for gaps, fill the gaps. Which is what we are doing, just need some conformation/qualification from those of you who have "been there done that."

Thanks

Titus

 

[Raffy]

Re: Document Control and 7.5.1 Control of Production

Hi Titus,
In our end, we established a system on how to control our programs. If we have a new or revised program, we document it using an Engineering Change Notice and New/Revised Setup Sheet. If it's a new program, it will save into a controlled folder wherein only DRCC and the User can access the said program. If its a revised program, the old program will be extracted to the controlled folder and transfer to the Obsolete folder while the revised program will be saved into the Controlled Folder
Likewise the Old Setup Sheet will be retrieved in our Production and DRCC and the Updated Setup Sheet will be released.
Therefore, we have the current revision in our Production and DRCCs.
Hope this helps.
Best regards,
Raffy

 

[Titus]

Thanks Raffy!

Your information does help. The concerned area where we have all the uncontrolled documents has finally realized they need to clean it up. We advised them on how to do it, similar to what you are doing but they are working up a plan of their own. So at least they have accepted the fact they need controlled. In all fairness, its a monumental step for someone who has been doing it the same way for 15 to 20 years.

Thanks again!