On October 3 – 4, Advantive’s quality brands – InfinityQS, WinSPC, and PQ Systems – proudly participated in the annual AIAG 2024 Quality Summit. The event was a resounding success as we connected with many of our existing customers and established new relationships within the automotive manufacturing community. Brad Armstrong, Mark Marshall, and Andy Roop represented us at the summit and shared insights on how our solutions are shaping the future of quality control and data management in manufacturing.
The Word on the Street from Our Representatives at AIAG
In our last blog, we highlighted the power of real-time data in manufacturing, discussing how it drives informed decision-making, predictive maintenance, process optimization, and quality control. This year’s summit brought fresh insights that will have a lasting impact on the industry, particularly around the concept of the “digital twin”.
Set to roll out in 2025, automotive manufacturers will be expected to maintain a digital twin of their production and quality data for each unit produced. This critical new requirement means that all production and quality information must be meticulously captured, managed, and reported on a per-unit basis, which will provide a real-time mirror of what is happening on the factory floor.
The adoption of digital twin technology aligns with many of the goals of IATF 16949, the global standard for automotive quality management systems. Digital twins will enable manufacturers to meet these objectives with even greater accuracy and control, especially since central themes of IATF 16949 are continuous improvement, risk management, and precision monitoring. InfinityQS, WinSPC, and PQ Systems are all well-equipped to support this requirement that enables manufacturers to seamlessly transition into this new era of quality management.
Features from all three of our SPC offerings that help companies with regulatory compliance include:
- Automated Data Collection: Collect shop-floor data in real-time from virtually any source. Our SPC software offerings can connect to a variety of gages and other metrology tools.
- Real-Time SPC Charts & Alarms: Empower your operators with real-time actionable intelligence. Our SPC software displays real-time control charts from the shop floor that enable your team to detect and correct process issues, including automatic alerts to your personnel if an out-of-control process, non-conformance, or rule violation is detected.
- Built-In Quality Reports: Access hundreds of built-in, professional quality reports that are accessible within a click, enabling you to quickly create, publish, and share quality reports across your organization.
- System-Wide Audit Trail: Trace your data and changes that have been made to the database with a time-stamped record of the history and details.
- Data Analysis: Investigate trends and violations in your data, whether you’re looking at the point-of-production or historically analyzing data. Our SPC solutions will give you a comprehensive view of your data.
IATF 16949 6th Edition Updates
Another key focus of the AIAG 2024 Quality Summit was the new IATF 16949 6th edition, which introduces updated requirements for the automotive quality management systems. These new guidelines were published on March 31, 2024, and will come into effect on January 1, 2025. Below are some of the changes:
- Certification Process Improvements: The 6th edition clarifies and strengthens processes for conducting IATF 16949 audits, improving the overall certification framework.
- Incorporation of Sanctioned Interpretations and FAQs: Previous rulings and frequently asked questions (FAQs) from the 5th edition are now officially included, ensuring consistency and clarity in applying the rules.
- Updated Eligibility Requirements: New criteria for organizations seeking IATF 16949 certification ensure that only qualified candidates can pursue certification, enhancing the standard’s integrity.
- Enhanced Client-Certification Body Contracts: New contractual requirements between certification bodies and their clients aim to define clearer roles and expectations for both parties during the certification process.
- Improved Audit Planning: The rules introduce new requirements for better audit planning, which leads to more thorough and efficient audits.
- Streamlined Client Transfer Process: Updates make it easier for organizations to transfer certification bodies, reducing barriers and improving flexibility in the certification landscape.
These updates aim to elevate the overall quality management practices within the automotive industry, enhancing product safety, supply chain resilience, and customer satisfaction.
Thank You for Visiting Us at AIAG!
AIAG’s 2024 Quality Summit provided us with valuable insights into the evolving landscape of the automotive manufacturing industry. The industry is moving towards a future of increased precision, better risk management practices, and data-driven decision making, especially with the introduction of the digital twin requirements and IATF 16949 6th edition updates.
Advantive is committed to helping our customers navigate these changes. Our quality solutions – InfinityQS, WinSPC, and PQ Systems – are fully capable of supporting the digital twin technology and ensuring compliance with IATF 16949. As the automotive sector continues evolving, we will remain at the forefront to provide the tools needed to maintain high-quality standards and drive continuous improvement.
Want to see one of our SPC solutions in action? Schedule a demo with our team to discuss your business needs and see a live demo of our solutions!
Note* The updates made to IATF 16949 came from AIAG’s IATF 16949 6th Edition Summary.