PPAP Production Part Approval Process (Objective, Sectors and Requirements)

In Spanish Parts or Pieces Production Approval Process what its acronym in English refer to (PPAP), acronyms normally used in the manufacture of automotive parts to make reference to compliance with quality and approval standards involved in the processes involved in the production of the themselves.

This production standard was developed and implemented by the AIAG group (Automotive Industry Action Group), which is an international non-profit open forum organization involving manufacturers from around the world to collect data, processes, information and everything related to the automotive industry in order to create guidelines and quality standards in the processes of production.

What is the PPAP standard based on?

The PPAP standard is governed by the APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) standard or in Spanish advanced product quality qualification, which aims to guarantee the processes by establishing quality techniques for the manufacture of products.

The APQP was born in the 80s due to the need of large manufacturers to establish quality processes and standards in manufacturing of automobiles, it is there that a group of the best experts of car manufacturers is formed, among them: General Motors, Ford and Chrysler.

What is the purpose of the PPAP?

The main objective of PPAP is to give confidence to consumer that the product purchased was manufactured under an established quality standard, this in order to provide complete peace of mind and customer satisfaction.

What is the purpose of the PPAP?

Evidence that the manufacturer complies with all customer requirements, as well as validating the processes, records and designs that are involved in the process, in such a way as to ensure that a product will work correctly.

What business sectors can use PPAP?

All those companies that want to adhere to the procedures and manuals established in the manufacture of products, do not necessarily have to be from the automotive sector.

PPAP applicability

According to the manual, PPAP will apply to all external and internal suppliers that are involved in the production of the product from materials, parts or services. It also applies to bulk materials, however, in this case the PPAP is not required unless the customer requires it.

At present, all those companies that produce parts or are external agents that intervene in the production of the They must comply with the PPAP manual for their products to be certified, unless the client demands it. contrary.

Main Requirements of PPAP

The main requirements that are stipulated in the PPAP manual are as follows:

Significant production run

The significant run is also known as the validation run or pre-launch run and should last as long as the customer is pertinent, however, the AIAG recommends that it should be done in 300 pieces or what is obtained from 1 to 8 hours of production.

For a validation run to be effective, it must comply with the following:

• The design must be delivered on the date agreed with the client, it is not allowed to postpone the dates.
• The product must be prepared by the same personnel that will be under its final production.
• The materials involved in the manufacture of the parts must be the same as the final production, samples cannot be used.
• Prototype tools cannot be used, all tools must be used from start to finish.
• It must comply with the methods and demands of the client.
• Measurement methods will be used to validate all processes.
• Finally, the validation run must be done in the final production environment.

PPAP requirement

Must comply with all specified requirements by the customer, this includes:

• Design registration.
• Photographic record.
• Specifications (includes safety and regulatory standards)
• Materials.
• Manuals.

If the requirements cannot be met, the supplier must inform the customer and provide a possible solution to the problem. If the client is not satisfied, he is not obliged to receive the parts.

Design registration

The design record of all parts or parts must be kept, it also includes the design of the internal components or details of the product. The design record must be in digital format, sketches, graphics, etc.

Authorized Engineering Change Documents and Customer Approval

You must have all the engineering change authorization documents when they are not yet contemplated in the registration of the design and that cause any modification to the product, includes materials, size, number of pieces, etc. The approval of the client must also be evidenced together with the design registration.

Other requirements that can be mentioned:

• Failure Mode and Effects Process Analysis (FMEA).
• Control Plan.
• Measurement system study analysis.
• Dimensional results.
• Material test results.
• Process studies.
• Quality indices.

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