// ROBOTICS AND SMART FACTORIES TERM
PPAP
An abbreviation for Production Part Approval Process, a standardized method used in manufacturing to ensure a supplier's process can consistently produce parts meeting customer requirements.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) is a standardized automotive industry framework requiring suppliers to demonstrate that their production process can consistently meet customer engineering design and specification requirements, involving submission of documentation like design records, FMEAs, control plans, and measurement data.
BACKGROUND
A measurement system analysis (MSA) is a thorough assessment of a measurement process, and typically includes a specially designed experiment that seeks to identify the components of variation in that measurement process. Just as processes that produce a product may vary, the process of obtaining measurements and data may also have variation and produce incorrect results. A measurement systems analysis evaluates the test method, measuring instruments, and the entire process of obtaining measurements to ensure the integrity of data used for analysis and to understand the implications of measurement error for decisions made about a product or process. Proper measurement system analysis is critical for producing a consistent product in manufacturing and when left uncontrolled can result in a drift of key parameters and unusable final products. MSA is also an important element of Six Sigma methodology and of other quality management systems. MSA analyzes the collection of equipment, operations, procedures, software and personnel that affects the assignment of a number to a measurement characteristic.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Production approval
- Part approval
- APQP
- Supplier quality
USAGE NOTE
PPAP is crucial in the automotive supply chain to ensure new or modified parts meet quality standards.