PPAP (Production part approval process)
What is PPAP ?
PPAP stands for Production part approval process. It is a standardized procedure used primarily in the automotive industry to ensure that a manufacturer's production process can consistently produce parts that are according to a customer's product design, specification and requirement, especially from an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer), before they are incorporated into the final product. PPAP is a structured and documented approach that helps the processes used to manufacture parts can consistently reproduce the parts at stated production rates during routine production runs.
What are the 5 levels of PPAP ?
There are 5 submissions levels of PPAP documents.
When is PPAP requireid ?
PPAP is typically required in the following situations:
New Product Introduction: When a new part or component is being introduced into production, especially in the automotive industry, PPAP often requires suppliers to prove their consistency in the manufacture to meet specified quality standards.
Engineering Changes: If there are significant changes that are made to an existing part , PPAP may be required to ensure these changes will not adversely impact the performance or quality of the part.
Supplier Changes: When a manufacturer wants to change subcontractor for a particular item or process, PPAP may be required to ensure that the new subcontractor can meet quality requirements.
Customer Request: A customer may request a PPAP at any time during the life of a product to ensure that the parts they receive meet their specific quality standards. In some cases, it's common to require periodic revalidation of the production process through PPAP to ensure ongoing quality.
Critical Parts: PPAP may be required for components that are considered critical to the function or safety of a product. Critical components are subject to higher scrutiny and may require more rigorous testing and documentation.
Why is PPAP important ?
PPAP allows suppliers and manufacturers to provide evidence of how well their communications are with customers before, during and after the produciton, and of their processes is in place that ensure the ability to produce parts that consistently meet requested specifications and requirements. The PPAP process ensures that the supplier's production process is capable of consistently meeting the customer's quality standards before full-scale production begins. By going through this rigorous approval process, the risk of producing non-conforming parts is minimized, and the overall quality and reliability of the parts are improved. PPAP is important because it helps suppliers reduce the risk of product defects, and failures that can lead to customer dissatisfaction, complaints, recalls, and damaged reputation.
What we can provide ?
We can provide required documents according to the needs of customers, currently level 3 is the most common among 5 levels.