CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLIER QUALITY MANAGEMENT BRIEFING
09/06/2018
Vol. 2, No. 9, September 2018
① QUALITY CHALLENGES & SOLUTIONS WITH YOUR SUPPLIERS IN CHINA
Critical aspects of machining process capability
for automobile spare part manufacturing (II)
For international buyers with limited knowledge of machining, it is important to have some basic understanding of the machining process capabilities of your suppliers of machined parts.
Focus on people, tooling, material, process control, environment, testing, recording and marking, as they are the critical elements in the quality assurance of the machined parts you are purchasing.
Questions on machines and tooling you should ask when you visit or audit your suppliers include:
1. Are the machines and tooling checked daily according to the requirements?
2. Are preventive maintenance plan and parts plan available?
3. Are there statistic reports on the equipment operation rate? Is predictive maintenance implemented?
4. Are machining parameters for the CNC equipment under supervision?
5. Are fixtures and tooling checked or changed periodically and placed on-site according to standard?
6. Are tool change plans available? How the tools are managed? How often are the tools replaced? Any records?
7. Are there fixed schedules of calibrations or external appraisals for the testing equipment? Are the external organizations qualified with certifications?
By Felix SS YUAN
② CRITICAL FAILURE MODES / QUALITY CONTROL POINTS IN FOCUS
Oil cooler
The oil cooler is a device that accelerates the lubrication of the oil to keep lower temperature. In a high-performance, high-power reinforced engine, due to large heat load, an oil cooler must be installed.
The engine oil cooler (water-cooling) is placed in the water circuit, controlling the temperature of the lubricating oil with the temperature of the cooling water.
Primary failure modes for water-cooled engine oil coolers:
1. Blockage;
2. Cracking;
3. Pseudo soldering;
4. Leakage.
Main causes:
Machine: improper welding process, unreasonable welding parameters;
Medium: improper coolant selection, corrosives mixed, uncleanness;
Material: improper material selection.
Key quality control points of the finished products:
1. External dimensions, installation dimensions;
2. Appearance: defects, bumps, accessories;
3. Air tightness test, material test;
4. Packaging: complete marking, reasonable protection.
By QP. Liu
③ KEY CONCEPTS & PRACTICES IN SUPPLIER QUALITY MANAGEMENT
8D (8 Disciplines) Problem Solving
Eight Disciplines (8Ds) problem solving is a systematic approach to nonconformity management and continuous improvements. Originally developed at Ford Motor Company, the 8D methodology uses a structured eight-step approach to problem solving by focusing on product and process improvement. Its purpose is to identify, correct, and eliminate recurring problems.
The 8 Disciplines include: team formation, problem description, interim containment actions, root cause analysis, corrective actions, verification of corrective actions, preventive actions, and team and individual recognition.
The output of an 8D process is an 8D report.
8Ds has become a standard in the automotive industry, especially for the OEM supply chains
④ CHINA INDUSTRY & MARKET UPDATE
Cost of raw materials:
Exchange rates:
USD/RMB: 1:6.85
EUR/RMB: 1:7.96
RUB/RMB: 1:0.10
September 2018
The above information is for reference only
⑤ IT HELPS TO KNOW...
Notable Industry Events
The Guangzhou International Import and Export Auto Parts Fair 2018 (APF 2018) will be held from the 13th to 15th of October 2018 at Pazhou International Procurement Center Guangzhou, China.
APF 2018 is held immediately before the 124th Canton Fair which starts on the 15th of October. Phase 1 of the Canton Fair, from the 15th to the 19th of October, covers vehicles and spare parts.
AFP 2018 features about 20,000 square meter exhibition areas and over 1,000 standard booths. Its location is also next door to the Canton Fair.
The official website of the APF 2018: www.gzapf.com
The official website of the 124th Canton Fair: www.cantonfair.org.cn
Major National Holidays
1st October is the National Day of the People’s Republic of China. The National Day marks the start of one of the few Golden Weeks for public holidays nationwide in China. In 2018 the National Day falls on a Monday, and this year’s official holiday calendar is from the 1st to the 7th in October.
One week before the National Day this year, the 24th of September, is another major public holiday in China, the Mid-Autumn Festival, also nown as the Moon Festival.
Traditionally on Mid-Autumn Day, family members and friends will get together to admire the bright mid-autumn moon and eat moon cakes together.
SHENTOU SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT CO. LTD. is a Shenzhen, China, based company serving international automotive clients in the implementation of their China strategies and programs. CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLIER QUALITY MANAGEMENT BRIEFING is a bi-monthly newsletter published by Shentou to address the specific and unique quality challenges and concerns international automotive companies face with suppliers in China. Comments are welcome at qms@shentou.com. Click here to subscribe.
