Challenges in practice
The standard-compliant validation of your test equipment is a prerequisite for the evaluation of measurement results and therefore also for the required analysis activities in the event of deviations. To avoid systematic measurement errors, your customers expect periodic MSA measuring equipment capability monitoring and VDA suitability certificates.
In production, where frequent changeovers and the use of new measuring equipment are required, carrying out regular and complex MSA processes often becomes a logistical and economic challenge. Added to this is the effort involved in linking the MSA data obtained with the quality management and production processes in order to ensure consistent traceability and precise analyses.
Solution QS1
General
In QS1, the measurement system analysis (MSA) is supported by a specially developed module that enables comprehensive and efficient implementation. The MSA module in QS1 is closely linked to other quality inspection and management modules and therefore offers many advantages, particularly for integrated and workflow-controlled quality assurance.
Module structure and integration: The MSA module in QS1 is an independent module that is linked to all relevant quality management processes, in particular gauge management. This means that the test equipment, test characteristics and tolerance limits required for MSA can be effectively managed and documented.
Overall, the integrated MSA functionality of QS1 provides comprehensive support for quality inspection and measuring equipment capability analysis, which not only ensures compliance with standards, but also enables greater efficiency and quality assurance throughout the entire product life cycle.
Test equipment management and maintenance planning
In QS1, various specifications can be defined for each piece of test equipment, which are used to assess the measurement equipment capability in the MSA. Maintenance plans can be created flexibly (e.g. every 60 days or after 500 measurements) to ensure that the test equipment is regularly maintained.
QS1 provides complete documentation of all test jobs carried out as well as an overview of the test equipment's utilisation history (e.g. issues, blockages, repairs). This increases process reliability, as a new MSA can be carried out automatically after an incident.
Automated test methods and rule definitions
Predefined methods according to standards: QS1 provides standardised MSA methods in accordance with MSA-4 and VDA-5, among others, including the associated characteristic values such as standard deviation and measuring equipment capability. These values are automatically calculated and provided with rule violations in order to automatically assess the suitability of a measuring device. The predefined MSA methods can be reparameterised in QS1 to meet specific requirements in order to remain flexible and adaptable.
Workflow integration and action management
The MSA in QS1 is controlled by an integrated workflow that creates a to-do list and maps the entire MSA process. This ensures that all necessary steps are covered, such as checking the resolution and accuracy as well as the provision of test standards.
At the end of the MSA, the measuring equipment capability is determined. An action plan is drawn up to document whether the test equipment is suitable for the current application or whether adjustments are necessary.
Analysis tools and visualisation
QS1 contains an MSA analyser that enables measurement results to be displayed graphically. This analyser is embedded in the SPC analyser and provides detailed views such as the individual values of the various methods to quickly identify potential outliers.
QS1 also has a Business Intelligence (BI) tool that can be used to analyse MSA results in real time. The results can be grouped by test equipment, for example, in order to recognise which measuring equipment is capable or not. Such BI dashboards can be customised to meet individual requirements.
Integration into other quality processes
Link to inspection planning and development projects - QS1 makes it possible to create MSAs directly from inspection planning or product development. For example, a new MSA can be triggered when new test equipment is required. This close integration improves traceability and ensures compliance with quality standards in all development phases.
QS1 also allows complete traceability by documenting all actual inspection processes by test equipment. If a deviation becomes known, the test history can be used to trace the feedback in which the affected test equipment was used and which products could potentially be affected.
- Gauge administration and monitoring
- Management of all calibration specifications
- Any maintenance plans per gauge
- Group plans with specifications at gauge level
- Maintenance intervals via duration, fixed date or performance
- Location and application-related maintenance intervals
- Maintenance monitoring with automatic message dispatch
- Workflow for integrating external calibration centres
- Free status definition
- Gauge issue and status management with integrated booking functions
- Support for centralised and decentralised test equipment organisation
- Standards-compliant measurement system analysis (MSA)
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Test equipment management: Keep an eye on everything important with the QS1 software
Good test equipment management involves an immense amount of work, which is often underestimated. It is important to ensure that the test equipment used in the company conforms to standards. Only if this is the case can measurement results be evaluated in a targeted manner and the analysis activities that are required at many levels be carried out. If the test equipment is not standardised, there is always the risk of systematic measurement errors creeping in. Our software allows you to effectively integrate and monitor all types of test equipment in the modules.
Clear structure ensures greater transparency
If you decide in favour of test equipment management with QS1, you can rely on the numerous advantages that our software makes available to you. First and foremost is the clear structure. It ensures that you can keep an eye on everything important and manage it easily. You can also rely on our software to ensure that test equipment management complies with standards. The system also supports trouble-free data exchange with external service providers. This means that important information can be passed on more quickly and decision-making can be significantly accelerated.
Optimum traceability of all processes in test equipment management
There is another point in favour of test equipment management with QS1: you can also view and retrace processes that have taken place in the past at any time. This can help you with new decisions in test equipment management. QS1 provides you with modern software that is intuitive to use and that your employees will quickly become familiar with. Would you like to know more about QS1 and its use in test equipment management? Then get in touch with us today!
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Your advantages
- Comprehensive, standard-compliant test equipment management
- Standardised procedures and high process reliability
- Integration of common standards
- Workflow-based process sequence systematically guides users through all steps
- Audit-proof historisation and traceability of all test equipment data
- Supports the decision-making process
- Fully integrated in the areas of inspection planning and control, e.g. SPC analyser, measured value traceability, measuring equipment integration, etc.
- Integrated system instead of stand-alone solution
- Data exchange with external service providers
- Online ERP connection of your test equipment supplier management information
- Preconfigured MSA and VDA methods; customised methods possible
- MSA Analyser