What is Quality Assurance?
In the manufacturing environment, quality assurance, or QA, refers to the procedures that producers use as a component of a quality management system to ensure that the products they make meet consistent, predetermined quality standards.
Quality assurance, which is frequently combined with quality control, or QC, is a component of the ecosystem that guarantees that consumers receive high-quality goods free from unforeseen flaws. Manufacturers control product quality using quality assurance (as opposed to quality verification).
In any production setting, quality assurance is vital, but for some manufacturers—like those in the automobile sector and suppliers of high-precision parts—it is especially crucial since a low standard of quality might lead to harm or even death.
Quality assurance, which is frequently combined with quality control, or QC, is a component of the ecosystem that guarantees that consumers receive high-quality goods free from unforeseen flaws. Manufacturers control product quality using quality assurance (as opposed to quality verification).
In any production setting, quality assurance is vital, but for some manufacturers—like those in the automobile sector and suppliers of high-precision parts—it is especially crucial since a low standard of quality might lead to harm or even death.
The Difference Between Quality Assurance and Quality Control
The reactive aspects of quality management are referred to as quality control, which is a subset of quality assurance. Quality control (QC) encompasses activities such as final product inspections, which verify that the manufacturing process produced goods that met the manufacturer's specified standards for acceptable consistency and quality. In manufacturing, quality control also involves checkpoint reviews, walkthroughs, and testing.
Conversely, quality assurance pertains to the proactive elements of quality management, which include process definition, team training, and thoughtful tool selection. A component of quality assurance is auditing.
Whereas quality control is product-based and reactive, quality assurance is process-based and proactive. Both elements are required for a quality management system to be functional.
Conversely, quality assurance pertains to the proactive elements of quality management, which include process definition, team training, and thoughtful tool selection. A component of quality assurance is auditing.
Whereas quality control is product-based and reactive, quality assurance is process-based and proactive. Both elements are required for a quality management system to be functional.
Manufacturers who prioritize quality assurance might reap a number of benefits. Three main advantages of effective quality control are:
Cost Savings
Good quality assurance (QA) prevents quality problems since it is a proactive part of quality management. That is to say, producers can realize significant cost savings since they do not have to account for as much in the way of scrap components, returns, and other consequences of low-quality things.
Efficiency Boosts
Manufacturers can devote time, funds, and warehouse space to other profitable projects in addition to producing higher-quality parts when there are fewer defective products on the market. If procedures are in place to ensure that the endeavor is successful, producing high-quality goods requires fewer resources.
Improvements In Customer Satisfaction
When producers use efficient quality assurance processes, customers receive better products more quickly and consistently. Customers can also profit later on with more customers action and innovation since more resources are available for these jobs, and there is a decreased chance of obtaining a defective product.
Quality Assurance Best Practices and Methods
The ISO 9000 contains several standards for quality assurance. Manufacturers are encouraged to create and implement their own internal standardization procedures in addition to these standards. Maintaining consistency is essential. Standard operating procedures (SOPs), effective maintenance plans, 5S or 6S techniques, and the documentation and application of current production formulas are some ways that manufacturers can lower variability.
Manufacturers can also promote a culture of learning, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Encourage teams to be curious and work together so that manufacturers may benefit from shared ideas and innovations that will ultimately result in higher-quality output.
It is critical to standardize the areas of concentration for teams. Manufacturers can maintain team productivity and focus by implementing clear, well-structured planning systems and KPIs.
Manufacturers can also promote a culture of learning, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Encourage teams to be curious and work together so that manufacturers may benefit from shared ideas and innovations that will ultimately result in higher-quality output.
It is critical to standardize the areas of concentration for teams. Manufacturers can maintain team productivity and focus by implementing clear, well-structured planning systems and KPIs.
Examples of Quality Assurance in Manufacturing
A manufacturer is practicing quality assurance when they employ software and systems to uphold SOPs, schedule work, and direct organizational changes utilizing centralized KPIs.
In a similar vein, quality assurance can be attributed to manufacturers who use devices such as the High Frequency Data Collector to track anomalies in machine data. In addition to scrap parts, poorly maintained machinery can cause output to slow down. Continuous monitoring can assist producers in implementing quality assurance (predictive maintenance) strategies before malfunctioning equipment starts to produce inferior goods, which leads to problems with quality control.
In a similar vein, quality assurance can be attributed to manufacturers who use devices such as the High Frequency Data Collector to track anomalies in machine data. In addition to scrap parts, poorly maintained machinery can cause output to slow down. Continuous monitoring can assist producers in implementing quality assurance (predictive maintenance) strategies before malfunctioning equipment starts to produce inferior goods, which leads to problems with quality control.
Quality Assurance KPIs
The following KPIs, when included in a comprehensive quality management plan, are best considered by manufacturers who use best practices for quality assurance. These KPIs should be achieved in tandem.
Are you curious about a practical use of forecasting tool failure to ensure quality? Discover how BC Machining used Machine Metrics Predictive to identify, forecast, and automatically stop machine tool failures on their Star CNC machines, which would have otherwise resulted in damaged tools, wasted parts, and expensive downtime. Go through the case study.
- Conformance to specifications
- low defect percentage (first pass yield)
- Delivery is prompt.
- Delivery occurs without product or packaging damage as a result of shipping.
- Providing prompt customer service responses
Using Quality Assurance with Machine Metrics
For producers, maintaining quality is an ongoing problem. There is an opportunity cost associated with not producing quality components that can be sold in addition to the cost incurred from trash parts.
A product such as Machine Metrics allows producers to monitor the occurrence of quality problems. Tablets affixed to machinery allow operators to do this. The operator view, which allows a rejected part to be classified, is shown below:
A product such as Machine Metrics allows producers to monitor the occurrence of quality problems. Tablets affixed to machinery allow operators to do this. The operator view, which allows a rejected part to be classified, is shown below:
Once precise scrap data has been gathered, quality managers can use pareto charts to analyze the main causes of subpar quality and start modifying their processes to produce less scrap.
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