TOPS-QARTI: 1st Article

TOPS-QARTI: 1st Article

Rev 12/11/07

SCOPE: This procedure covers Quality Control Planning and First Article Inspections of representative parts from the first run of a new product and when there is a significant process change during the production and processing of the parts.

Quality Control Planning

Upon receiving a Customer Purchase Order for a new product, the Customer Service Representative e-mails the QA Manager of the need to create a Quality Control Plan. Likewise, anyone who becomes aware of the need to add or modify a Quality Control Plan so notifies the QA Manager.

The QA Manager creates and maintains a Quality Control Plan that coordinates all quality control activities required to produce parts that satisfy the customer's requirements. The Quality Control Plan, and any subsequent changes, are reviewed and approved by the VP - Quality and Engineering prior to becoming effective. When the plan is approved, the QA Manager directs the transfer of all pertinent information to the Standard and Job Routers, the Spec ID, Powerway, and other documents as he/she deems appropriate, to communicate the Quality Control Plan to all employees involved in the Quality Control process.

First Article Inspection

When a First Article Inspection is required by the Quality Control Plan, the Metrologist uses the measuring equipment specified in the inspection documentation (Production Traveler for forged parts, MPS for machined parts) or, lacking special instructions, the default equipment per TOP-MSURE. The Metrologist records the results of the inspection on the inspection record document (Powerway SPC for forged parts, Part Inspection Sheet and Powerway SPC for machined parts).

	If the part(s) meet all specifications, the Metrologist transfers the part(s) to the QC Supervisor, and the documentation to the QA Manager.
	QC Supervisor transfers approved parts to finished goods inventory per TOP-FINIS.

	If the part(s) fail to meet specifications or change in process, the Metrologist immediately notifies the QA Manager of the nonconformity, and sends the nonconforming part(s) and documentation to the QA Manager.
	When the QA Manager receives nonconforming first article(s), he/she reviews the information to verify the nonconformity, ensures that the process variables which caused the nonconformity has either been corrected or stopped, ensures that all nonconforming parts have been properly handled per TOP-NOCON, and submits the parts and documentation to the Material Review Board, again per TOP-NOCON.

For information on a document or record, including definition, primary responsibility and retention, refer to the Document and Record Master List.

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