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Having been in Design and now in Quality....(long). Posted by REM in Seattle [Email] (#4) [Profile/Gallery] (more from REM in Seattle) on Mon, 16 Jun 2003 14:30:56 In Reply to: built-in failure rate, MJP, Mon, 16 Jun 2003 13:12:57 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
(although not in the automobile industry as my background is test equipment, avionics, and inducstrial printing) I would have to say that there are several forces at work when it comes to part price/quality/longevity.
In the simplist system, the Design group designs a product based on a set of target parameters from Marketing/Sales/etc. including manufactured cost and projected life. Hopefully every contengency and possible use is thiught about, but not likely in reality. So the design is good, but probably not 'bulletproof'.
Purchasing also has goals that include reducing part price, consolidating suppliers, rewarding supplier performance, etc. So Purchasing may lobby for a certain supplier whose part costs a little less as long as the part meets the stated design function/life. Purchasing may even change suppliers without Design's knowledge. The result maybe a shorter life, however still meeting the design requirements.
Suppliers are also given goals for on-going price reductions. A supplier may change the materials or processes to lower manufacturing cost, still meeting design requirements of course, but resulting in decreased product life.
Everyone is fighting that slippery slope of cost vs. quality. No one wants to supply 'bad' product but everyone must meet cost constraints (or cost reduction targets as it may be). Sometimes mistakes are made and quality/longevity suffers. Sometimes the 'synergy' of numerous parts working together is overlooked and a 'weak link' is introducted. Sometimes the relevant design information is missing from the specifications (all plastics are the same or all greases are the same, right?), allowing unintentional degradation of the product due to material or process changes.
In the end only real dilegence and a through understanding of the product, along with and listening to on-going customer feedback, will prevent a good product from becoming a 'could have been'.
Rob Mustard (aka. REM in Seattle)
1984 Saab 900T, 3 door, 5-sp; 242,000 miles RIP
1991 Alfa Romeo Spider, convertible, 5-sp; 91,000 miles
1998 Saab 900SET, 5 door, automatic; 58,000 miles
posted by 208.49.241...
_______________________________________ REM in Seattle Current: 2013 Volvo XC60 R-Design, Rebel Blue, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic 2024 MINI Cooper S Convertible, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 6-speed manual Former: 2005 Saab 9-3 Aero Convertible, Steel Gray metallic, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 5-speed 1998 Saab 900SET 5-door, Silver, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 1991 Alfa Romeo Spider convertible, Alfa Red, 2.0L 4-cyl, 5-speed 1984 Saab 900T 3-door, Red, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 5-speed
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