PPAP Assembly and Components

[Ian Lance]

We sell an assembly to one of our customers and they're asking for a level 3 PPAP.

In this case, the assembly is extremely simple made from Part A and Part B (think similar level to placing a washer on a bolt).
Part A and Part B are manufactured and sold to us by two other Vendors.

My question is how a PPAP such as this would typically be performed?

Would we get a PPAP for Part A and Part B from their respective vendors and call it a day?
Or would we need a PPAP for the Final Assembly?
Or is this more free form and up to the discretion of the customer?

-Ian

 

[Ninja]

Best advice here is to work with your customer to determine what they want...you are asking the right questions...just ask them to your customer.

BTW: do not assume it will be an easy task to get PPAP's from your vendors...if it were me, I would try to steer my customer toward having me PPAP the assembly...it will be much easier.
Regardless, do not promise the sub-part PPAP's until you have them in your hands. Promise to do your best, Promise to flow down the requirement to the best of your ability...but don't promise to give something you may not be able to get...

 

[Ian Lance]

Thanks for the advice! I'm new to PPAPs, but I'm used to things having specs and exact procedures to them.
It seems that PPAPs are a little more open to discussion between customers and vendors than what I expected.

 

[Ninja]

Not sure they are supposed to be so flexible...but in my experience they are...
But note that others' experiences differ drastically from my own.

Get some input from others here before hitting top speed.

That said...it's usually a good idea to keep communication wide open anyway with your customer regarding their needs (demands).