SAE EIA 832-2000 pdf download Process Improvement Guidelines
3 Scope
The procedure outlined in this document is applicable to any manufacturing or service process.
It may be used on part of a process or and entire process or a series of sequential processes.
4 General Outline
The process improvement cycle, as outlined in EIA-599 “National Electronic Process Certification Standard” consists of three parts: Process Characterization, Process Optimization and Process Control.
Process Characterization is the determination of relationships between process parameters and process outputs or product characteristics. Process Optimization is the mechanism to provide for continuous improvement as equipment and materials technology changes. Process control is the continual elimination of unexpected variation from processes or the development of processes robust to unexpected variation. These three activities form the backbone of any good process improvement program. This document will present a more detailed description of these activities in a way that will guide the users through all of the necessary components that are a part of the three major processes.
Once a process is proven to be viable (i.e., it can be successfully implemented for the intended purpose with the expected results), it becomes a candidate for improvement. An outline of the process improvement process is presented below. This outline links the three major parts of process improvement defined in EIA-599 to their component parts and also into the process of continuous improvement going forward.
Process Characterization
I. Identify & Prioritize Improvement Opportunities
A. Areas
B. Processes
C. Select team
II. Map process
A. Develop flow diagram
III. Analyze Variation in Measuring and Test Equipment
A. Perform measurement system characterization
B. P/T ratio
C. Reproducibility (Correlation between multiple test equipment)
D. Establish monitors and control of equipment using SPC
IV. Identify critical process parameters
A. Use DOE, FMEA, QFD, ETC.
B. Develop process model (cause and effect model)
C. Validate model with data
D. Perform process capability study (short and long tem)
Process Optimization and Control
V. Define a process sampling Plan
A. Use rational subgroups
VI. Create a process control and monitoring plan
A. Establish statistical tool to control variation
B. Establish statistical limits
VII. Define a Corrective Action Plan for Out-of-Control Conditions
Continuous Process Improvement
A. Compute Cp, Cpk
B. Set baseline for process and establish improvement objectives
C. Implement improvement plans
The next section of this document will provide more in-depth descriptions of these activities.
5 Specific Steps
5.1 Identify and Prioritize Improvement Opportunities