// ROBOTICS AND SMART FACTORIES TERM
QA
An abbreviation for Quality Assurance, which refers to the systematic activities implemented to ensure that quality requirements for a product or service will be fulfilled.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
QA, or Quality Assurance, encompasses the systematic and planned activities within a quality management system focused on providing confidence that a product or service will fulfill specified quality requirements, primarily through process definition, documentation, and preventive measures.
BACKGROUND
Quality assurance (QA) is the term used in both manufacturing and service industries to describe the systematic efforts taken to assure that the product(s) delivered to customer(s) meet with the contractual and other agreed upon performance, design, reliability, and maintainability expectations of that customer. The core purpose of Quality Assurance is to prevent mistakes and defects in the development and production of both manufactured products, such as automobiles and shoes, and delivered services, such as automotive repair and athletic shoe design. Assuring quality and therefore avoiding problems and delays when delivering products or services to customers is what ISO 9000 defines as that "part of quality management focused on providing confidence that quality requirements will be fulfilled". This defect prevention aspect of quality assurance differs from the defect detection aspect of quality control and has been referred to as a shift left since it focuses on quality efforts earlier in product development and production and on avoiding defects in the first place rather than correcting them after the fact.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Quality control
- QMS
- Quality management
- Process quality
USAGE NOTE
QA departments are responsible for setting up systems to prevent defects, while QC focuses on detecting them.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to QA.
Develops machine vision systems, software, sensors, and industrial barcode readers used in automated manufacturing to detect defects, guide assembly robots, and track items. Their AI and deep learning-based solutions automate complex visual inspection tasks.
A leading supplier of sensors, measuring systems, laser markers, and machine vision systems. Their technology is used for in-line, automated inspection and high-precision measurement to ensure product quality and process stability on production lines.
Offers a comprehensive suite of digital solutions, including Quality Management Software (QMS) integrated into their Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) platforms. They leverage digital twins for predictive quality and process optimization.
Specializes in metrology and sensing technologies, providing hardware like CMMs and laser scanners, and software for quality data capture, management, and analysis. Their solutions enable a connected, data-driven approach to quality assurance.
An artificial intelligence company providing a platform for building and deploying AI-powered visual inspection systems. Their product, LandingLens, enables manufacturers to detect product defects on the assembly line with high accuracy.
A provider of industrial automation and digital transformation solutions. Their FactoryTalk Quality Management software integrates with control systems and MES to provide statistical process control (SPC) and real-time monitoring, helping to enforce quality procedures.
Develops and sells machine vision systems, barcode scanners, and mobile computers for the manufacturing floor. Their technology is used for parts tracking, traceability, and automated inspection, ensuring products meet quality standards.
Provides the ThingWorx Industrial IoT platform, which enables manufacturers to connect to machinery and analyze operational data. This is used for predictive quality analytics, monitoring process parameters in real-time to anticipate and prevent defects.