Production Part Approval Process!!

The purpose of any Production Part Approval Process(PPAP) is to confirm that the Supplier has properly understood all the design and specification requirements for the components they supply and that the supplier’s process has the capability to consistently deliver products that comply with those requirements.

The PPAP approval often result in a series of documents called PPAP Package used as a formal approval by the supplier and customer. This package can contain Inspection Report.

The PPAP standard was initially developed for the automotive industry. PPAP is now also used and adopted by companies in many industries.

There are a lot of different items that can make up a PPAP. Depending on the levels – from 1 to 5 – specific documents might be required.

• Design Record(s) - A copy of the drawing(s) that define the part to be supplied.

• Engineering Change Documents - Documents that describe the change.

• Customer Engineering Approval - Is used to demonstrate pre-approval by customers of a design.

• Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis, DFMEA - Shows evidence that all known potential failure modes of the part design have been considered and addressed.

• Process Flow Diagram - Is used to document all of the steps required to manufacture a part.

• Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis, PFMEA - Is used to show evidence that all known potential failure modes of the manufacturing process have been considered and addressed.

• Control Plan - Defines how the "potential failures" are inspected.

• Measurement System Analysis (MSA) - Is used to determine and minimize the amount of total process variability is due to variation in the measurement system.

• Dimensional Results - Is used to document the measured values of all the inspection characteristics for the design. The inspection characteristic numbers from the dimensional results report should match the balloon numbers from the ballooned drawing.

• Material and Performance Test Results - Is used to document all of the test results that aren't included in the dimensional results. Additionally, this section lists all material certifications as specified on the print. The material certification shows compliance to the specific call on the print.

• Initial Process Study - Is used to determine if the production process is likely to produce parts that meet specification at the runs quoted.

• Qualified Laboratory Documentation - A copy of the laboratory certifications (e.g. A2LA, etc...) of the laboratories that performed the tests reported on the Dimensional Results Report.

• Appearance Approval Report - Is used to document customer approval of the physical appearance of the components and usually refers to a specific appearance specification such as texture, colour, etc...).

• Sample Parts - The parts used to create the Dimensional Results and Material and Performance Test Results.

• Master Sample - A sample part that is signed off on by the customer and supplier as a known good part. This part is typically used to train inspectors on how to inspect subjective characteristics.

• Checking Aids - Is used to document and verify any special gages used to measure a part.

• Customer-Specific Requirements - Refers to any special documents required by the customer that are not included in the other PPAP items.

• Part Submission Warrant, PSW - A summary of the entire PPAP package. 

Looking for more information? reach us @ www.addonix.com