Thanks for the suggestions. I have been attempting to get the supplier to move away from the spec limits closer to target and it would eliminate the conflict. But as some have said as long as we accept it the specs are then become just suggestions or wishes.
This is a laudable goal, but the fact remains that if the customer supplies a product to you that meets the specs for that product, you have no beef.
Some facts about the product. It is a product that we have asked the supplier for tighter limits then what they normally produce and we are not willing to pay more for the product, just another part of the issue.
As already said, it appears that you getting what you are willing to pay for.
That said, there is the issue of centering up the process if possible, but if they are not willing to cooperate, I don't know what more you can do.
Most of the time if not all of the time, It is a product that they could sell to our competitors and never have an issue. We have tighter specs then are cover by the industry (ASTM) because we believe it separates us from the competition. Again Thanks for all the replies.
This sounds like a problem that needs to be worked out with the engineering, production and purchasing managements. It appears there is a lot poor communication. Engineering want to "set you apart from the competition" but by using the same "off the shelf" part(s) that the competition uses. This in turn is causing issues (grumbling) in the production areas.
What are the associated costs from the receiving delays, production problems etc? Are these costs justified compared to paying more for the tighter tolerances? Sounds like there needs to be some solid cost to benefit discussions...
Peace
James