Validation of Processes in addition to Customer Requirements

[Andrews]

Some customers mention that the component should be balck oxide coated or zinc plated without mentioning any other requirement like salt spray resistance , plating thickness etc.

In such a case should "validation" be done on such processes.
Do you use DOE for "validation"?

 

[Marc]

Another 'missed' oldie.

Validate the customer requirements plus any internal requirements. That's all you have to do.

 

[Bill Ryan - 2007]

Most of our parts requiring a "secondary operation" for a coating also call out a Specification which needs to be adhered to. Typically, that's where we get the salt spray testing, coating thickness, and any other requirements. Most of the houses we use for coatings are very used to the automotive world and their requirements. If it is a non-automotive part, we still use these same houses and go through the same testing.

As far as a DOE (Design of Experiments), only once have we needed to go through that excersize. It was done with our vendor and the issue ("fisheyes") was quickly put to bed. Most of our coating issues are obvious mess-ups by either us or our vendor.

Bill