The Core Tools
Over 30 years ago, AIAG collaborated with the domestic automotive manufacturers to develop common
quality methods and tools, which became known as the Quality Core Tools. The tools proved so useful that they were adopted by other manufacturing sectors, including aerospace, defense, medical, and pharmaceutical.
The Automotive Quality Core Tools are the building blocks of an effective quality management system. They include Advanced Product Quality Planning & Control Plan (APQP), Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Measurement System Analysis (MSA), and Statistical Process Control (SPC).
Today, most automotive manufacturers and suppliers require use of one or more of the Core Tools. Therefore, organizations whose employees have mastered the Core Tool processes can assure their customers that the industry’s most qualified individuals are working on their behalf, and that IATF 16949 and applicable quality reference manual requirements will be met without fail.
Successful implementation of the AIAG Core Tools (SPC, APQP, PPAP, FMEA, and MSA) inside your organisation requires an awareness and understanding of the scope and content of these documents.
Furthermore, suppliers are expected to demonstrate that they have implemented the core tools to achieve IATF 16949 certification and also that their organisations’ quality management systems are operating effectively in association with these core tools. Knowledge and effective use of the core tools is one of the most important mechanisms for an organisation who wants to develop a robust quality management system, and consistently manage its key processes.
Although originally developed by AIAG (Automotive Industry Action Group) and automotive manufacturers, these quality tools are just as applicable to other industry sectors.
LMR Global, in partnership with the AIAG, can provide understanding and implementation training for the Quality Core Tools. Our training courses and services are designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills, and understanding for successful implementation in your organisation.
Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)
PPAP stands for Production Part Approval Process. It was developed by AIAG (the Automotive Industry Action Group) and it is an important part of their comprehensive Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) approach. APQP was originated to provide a common, standardized process for planning, developing and communicating the requirements and status of new products and services between suppliers and their customers. There are five phases to APQP; PPAP is triggered in Phase 4, Product & Process Validation.
Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) is applied in manufacturing organisations, to approve initial parts
manufactured, for eventual introduction into their future production runs. PPAP defines requirements for this initial part manufacture approval (including production and bulk materials). The objective is to determine if all customer specifications and requirements are properly understood by the supplier. Also confirming that the process has the potential to produce product consistently and reliability to these requirements, under actual production run and rate conditions.
On the surface, PPAP can appear to be complicated and even overwhelming. Once it is understood, it becomes apparent that PPAP requirements represent the culmination and reporting of activities that any “good” supplier already does. The PPAP Process merely sets out the reporting of activities and results into a structured and consistent format.
LMR’s PPAP training course takes you through the PPAP process step by step using practical examples at every stage, ensuring an understanding of the theory through a ‘hands on’ approach.