6/15/2019 What is PPAP?

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What Is PPAP?

PPAP stands for Production Part Approval Process. It was developed by AIAG (the Automotive Industry
Action Group) and it is an important part of the comprehensive Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP)
approach.

There are five phases to APQP; PPAP is triggered in Phase 4, Product & Process Validation.

On the surface, PPAP can appear to be complicated and even overwhelming. Once it is understood, it becomes
apparent that PPAP requirements represent the culmination and reporting of activities that any “good” supplier
already does.

The PPAP Process merely helps put the reporting of activities and their results into a structured and consistent
format.
PPAP requirements represent the culmination and reporting of activities that any “good” supplier already does.

A Major Objective Of PPAP Is For Suppliers To Provide Their Customers

With:
Evidence that customer requirements are understood and…
Demonstrate that the supplier’s process has the capability to produce product that consistently meets
those requirements.

A PPAP Is Required When Production Of A New Product Or Part Is

Planned And When There Is Any Signi cant Change To A Product Or
Process.
PPAP is an output of Phase 4, Product & Process Validation, of the APQP process. The ongoing use of
PPAP ensures risk will be minimized through effective change control.

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PPAPs Are Based On Product And Process Data.

To build the Documentation Package, use data on both the subject product or part and the corresponding
process captured from a significant production run to complete the 18 Elements.
The PPAP consists of the Documentation Package including the Part Submission Warrant (PSW) and
relevant part samples.
There are 5 Levels of Submission for a PPAP Package; the levels have increasing higher levels of
requirements for the supplier. The customer determines the level.

Elements Of A PPAP Package

Element 1: Design Record

The Design Record is typically provided by the customer as the part is usually designed by the customer.
Including full documentation of the Design Record in the PPAP Package helps ensure that both the
suppler and customer are discussing the same part and same revision level.

Element 2: Authorized Engineering Change Documents

There are times when the PPAP is due to a request for a change to a product or related specification.
When this occurs, the change request and approval must be included in the PPAP package.

Element 3: Customer Engineering Approval

Customer Engineering Approval usually refers to (a positive outcome of) a trial at the customer’s facility
conducted with production parts from the supplier.

Element 4: Design-FMEA
A Design-FMEA is a bottom-up analysis of all of the items or components of the design.
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One output of the analysis, the Risk Priority Number, helps focus attention on potential risks with the
highest exposure.
The resulting DFMEA with its corresponding corrective actions become part of the documentation
included in the PPAP Submittal Package.

Element 5: Process Flow Diagrams

Process Flow Diagrams (or flowcharts) document the details of the process.
All activities and tasks are mapped; decision points, wait periods, feedback loops and rework loops are all
documented.

Element 6: Process-FMEA
A PFMEA is an FMEA on a Process as opposed to a DFMEA, an FMEA on a Design.
A PFMEA is a structured technique that helps a team think through “everything” that may go wrong in a
process.
The severity or impact of each failure is rated, the potential that a specific failure may actually occur is
factored in and the probability that the failure can be prevented or at least detected is considered.
The intent is to identify risks that are unacceptable and initiate corrective plans that mitigate those risks
and help make the process more robust.

Element 7: Control Plan

The primary intent of a Control Plan is to create a structured approach for control of process and product
elements while focusing the organization on characteristics important to the customer.
Control Plans are a compilation of process and product characteristics, test methods to monitor those
characteristics, specifications and sampling or testing intervals.
A Control Plan does include well thought-out reaction plans to be used in case an out-of-control
condition occurs.

Element 8: Measurement System Analysis (MSA)

The analysis of a measurement system involves understanding the uncertainties associated with taking a
particular measurement and then, where possible, quantifying those uncertainties.
The uncertainties that can be quantified (by statistical means) include issues of accuracy, linearity,
stability, repeatability and reproducibility.
A GR&R (Gage Repeatability & Reproducibility) study is used to determine if the measurement device
or system can be relied upon or if the measurement system must be improved before it can be used.

Element 9: Dimensional Results

For the report of Dimensional Results, identify part numbers and change or revision levels.
For approval, all dimensions must be within the specification tolerances designated by the Design
Record.
Dimensional Results are to be reported for each manufacturing process the supplier will use.

Element 10: Records Of Material / Performance Test Results

Material Tests refer to chemical, physical or metallurgical requirements specified by the Design Record
or Control Plan.
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Performance Tests must be performed and results reported for all parts or product materials when
performance or functional requirements are specified by the Design Record or Control Plan.
It is often helpful to include the Design Verification Plan and Report (DVP&R) with the Record of
Material and Performance Test submittals. The DVP&R summarizes validation tests performed.

Element 11: Initial Process Studies

Initial Process Studies are used to evaluate whether a (supplier’s) process can meet Special
Characteristics or (Critical Characteristics) defined by the customer.
Objectives of Initial Process Studies are to determine if production processes are stable, will yield
acceptable outputs for critical or special characteristics and are ready to begin process validation builds.

Element 12: Quali ed Laboratory Documentation

Inspection and testing is to be performed by a lab qualified (or accredited) to conduct the types of tests
and measurements.
When submitting test results, include documentation showing that the laboratory is qualified or
accredited.

Element 13: Appearance Approval Report (AAR)

Complete an Appearance Approval Report (AAR) for each part (or series of parts) that have appearance
requirements noted on the Design Record.
If the part or product does not have appearance requirements, the AAR is not required

Element 14: Sample Production Parts

The supplier must provide the customer with a sample of the subject part (or parts) for approval.
The part(s) must come from a significant production run and be the same part(s) referenced in the PPAP
package.
A complete set of data on the subject part(s) must be included in the PPAP package. A photo of the parts
is typically included in the PPAP package noting the storage location of the samples.

Element 15: Master Samples

A Master Sample is to be signed off by both the customer and the supplier when they agree that the
sample part meets all the design requirements and any special customer requirements.
It is often used as the benchmark for future production runs.

Element 16: Checking Aids

Checking Aids are special (and sometime custom) tools used to inspect, test or measure parts during the
production process.
Even if Checking Aids have been developed informally, they need to be controlled just as any “formal”
gage.

Element 17: Records Of Compliance With Customer-Speci c

Requirements

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All requirements over and above the standard PPAP documentation level specified by the customer are
included in this element.
If no Customer-Specific Requirements are required, it is prudent to include a waiver that none exist.

Element 18: Part Submission Warrant (PSW)

The PSW is a summary of the PPAP submission complete with all applicable data for the 18 Elements.
A PSW is required for each of part or part number.
If bulk materials are used in the production of customer’s parts, they are eligible for a Warrant. However,
a PPAP Warrant for the Bulk Material is NOT required unless the customer specifies it. If specified, a
completed Bulk Material Checklist and Warrant is needed for bulk material used in production parts

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