What are the Core Power Tools?

Core Tools is the name under which a set of tools used mainly in the automotive sector is known for the design, development, prevention, etc., To create products and services of the highest quality and that generate customer satisfaction.

Thanks to its use, it is possible to eliminate problems that arise as a result of not applying standardized processes or without adequate documentation between phases.

Among these tools are APQP, PPAP, FMEA, SPC, and MSA … do you recognize their acronyms?

What are the Core Power Tools?

1. The relevance of the Core Power Tools

Although we are mainly talking about the automotive sector, the truth is that this set of tools is essential for any industry.

In fact, at our company, we know that industrial sectors that are unaware of them or have not taken advantage of them could gain a huge competitive advantage by incorporating Core Power Tools in their respective industries.

Thanks to the integration of these tools, they can achieve advantages such as:

• Reduction of variations in key processes when designing and manufacturing a product or service.

• Reduce waste. All manufacturing processes generate them, from direct material waste in the production chain (such as slag), to unnecessary over-processing or poorly scheduled transportation. All this translates into inefficiency and expenses.

• Prevent the possible generation of failures. Failures also mean losses, so they should be reduced as much as possible.

2. APQP Advanced Product Quality Planning 

It is a series of processes and techniques to carry out advanced planning in the industry, something very relevant when the object to be manufactured or service to be provided has a certain complexity.

This methodology seeks, among other things, to facilitate communication between the different links involved in the production chain, but also between departments and even between customers and suppliers.

Thanks to its cyclical process, it represents a continuous improvement. It consists of the following phases:

• Planning and definition

• Design and development of the product in question

• Design and development of the production process to manufacture the product

• Analysis and validation of both, product and process.

• Cyclical feedback, evaluating the results, and testing corrective actions.

• PPAP Product Part Approval Process 

This Core Power Tool is customer-centric. Its purpose is none other than to ensure that the registration data and technical specifications are understood by it.

In short, it will demonstrate to the customer that the supplier is going to meet their needs and meet the standards of both design and production.

3. FMEA Failure Mode and Effects Analysis 

Although we try to reduce failures, in every production process there is always a certain percentage of necessary adjustments.

What we must do is try to reduce the chances of them happening, as well as the harmful effects that they can have. They are especially harmful, in that sense, failures that have not been foreseen in advance.

This Core Power Tool precisely seeks, through a methodological approach, to analyze and understand all possible failures.

4. SPC Statistical Process Control 

Closely related to MSA, it seeks to generate statistical control charts to have greater control over all events in the factory, especially in the long term.

And what is the difference compared to any other statistical control method? The support of the prestigious AIAG (Automotive Industry Action Group), which gives it enormous weight in the automotive sector. For more details, please visit at https://cwrresources.com/

5. MSA Measurement Systems Analysis 

Also developed by the AIAG, this manual deals with measurement systems in the broad sense of the word.

Methods, instruments to be used, software, personnel ... all the variables necessary for the quantification of a certain parameter to be measured are determined.

To this end, of course, it details the methodology and laboratory calibration, as well as the statistical tools that ensure the quality of the measurements carried out.

Without a unified measurement criterion, it would be completely impossible to talk about quality standards and their compliance. This is why MSA is so important within the Core Power Tools.