A robust quality system will prevent most quality concerns, a product traceability system will trap the "one that got away".
Flawless product quality is essential for launching new products, this is more challenging when the product incorporates new technologies that may not have been used before. This can include new materials from suppliers that are also using new process technologies which add to the complexity and possible variations that can occur.
It is essential an investment is made in developing robust quality systems to support launch, there are processes and systems that can support this, many of these are incorporated in quality standard such as ISO9001. The challenge with these systems is to take them from being a “tick the box” certification and instead use them to drive quality into product and process by incorporating the tools into fabric of the organisation. It is essential these systems are “owned” by the business from the top down.
However, even with a robust quality system, quality spills can still occur. That is why a traceability system that sits across the entire manufacturing process and supply chain is critical to success. Characteristics such as process parameters, tooling, operator, shift produced, raw material batch numbers, material shelf life are just some of the variables that can be used to identify suspect product. Once identified, the system must be capable of identifying all Work in Process and finished product that is affected and be able to isolate that material preventing further processing.
It is essential an investment is made in developing robust quality systems to support launch, there are processes and systems that can support this, many of these are incorporated in quality standard such as ISO9001. The challenge with these systems is to take them from being a “tick the box” certification and instead use them to drive quality into product and process by incorporating the tools into fabric of the organisation. It is essential these systems are “owned” by the business from the top down.
However, even with a robust quality system, quality spills can still occur. That is why a traceability system that sits across the entire manufacturing process and supply chain is critical to success. Characteristics such as process parameters, tooling, operator, shift produced, raw material batch numbers, material shelf life are just some of the variables that can be used to identify suspect product. Once identified, the system must be capable of identifying all Work in Process and finished product that is affected and be able to isolate that material preventing further processing.
