Quality Control

Introduction: Quality control is an important part of any manufacturing operation. After a significant effort, I was able to convince a company engaged in manufacturing printed circuit boards for other manufacturers to give me limited access to their company and its quality control system. I agreed not to disclose any process identified as a company secret and I was obliged not to provide the name of the company in question. Clearly, their goal was to prevent the disclosure of sensitive business information and trade secrets that might give their competitors an advantage. I was also required to sign a non-disclosure agreement indicating that I would be held legally liable if I revealed or published information that the company considers confidential trade secrets.

The quality mission statement of the company is to produce and distribute defect free products, reduce waste, reduce variation in the manufacturing process, and establish policies and procedures that will provide for continuous improvement of its products and services. Lisa Cross writes in Graphic Arts Monthly "variation is the enemy of quality." Cross notes that variation usually arises because companies do not take the time to understand all the processes that are involved in manufacturing. Cross believes every aspect of the manufacturing process needs to be measured and analyzed (Cross, 58).

Ann Niese writes in Electronic News that the majority of technical compani

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ve been identified at the company under review. Operational functions are monitored, measured and analyzed to determine if planned results have been achieved for the continual improvement of these processes. Even the control of outsourced processes, such as subassemblies that affect conformity and product quality, has been identified within the quality management system and documented procedures. The company under review structures its documents in the following format: Level 1 - Quality Manual Level 2 - Procedures / Flowcharts Level 3 - Work Instructions Level 4 - Records / standards Quality records are established and maintained to demonstrate conformance to specified requirements (product or services) and the effective operation of the Quality Management System. The system defines the method for controlling records and provides for the identification, collection, indexing, filing, storage, protection, retention time, maintenance, retrieval and disposition of quality documentation and records. Quality assurance data from the PCB manufacturing process is collected using application inspection methods. Reports from this database are reviewed and analyzed for both positive and negative trends by Q/A. Gerry Van Houten not

Category: Business - Q