Apex: Connector Quality Assurance

Connector Quality Assurance

Quality assurance (QA) is an engineering discipline that identifies the resources and controls required to design, manufacture, and service a product that satisfies all customer requirements. QA is integral to the entire product life cycle from the first review of customer requirements through resolution of problems in use. QA emphasizes both prevention of defects and problem solving to assure that the root cause of defects has been eliminated. QA also leads the improvement of product realization processes and the company’s quality management system. ISO 9001 is the international standard that guides the establishment and improvement of quality management systems. Complimentary to ISO 9001, APEX also provides internal environmental and safety audits per ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, respectively.

Here is a short presentation by the principal consultant George Bedorf on Problem Solving 8D (click on the link to play the presentation)

APEX design, manufacturing, and quality assurance experts are adept at building teams and solving problems quickly using the Eight Discipline (8-D) process.

WHY APEX:

  • Gain access to world class QA capabilities
  • Obtain independent and impartial feedback
  • Achieve higher quality with lower costs
  • Improve product and manufacturing reliability
  • Assistance with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 compliance
  • Draw on extensive QA engineering and management experience

APEX QUALITY ASSURANCE UTILIZES:

  • Qualitative tools including:
    • Brainstorming
    • Cause and effect analysis
    • Process flow charts and prioritization matrices
    • Failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA)
    • Value stream mapping
    • Interrelationship diagraphs
  • Quantitative tools such as:
    • Pareto, run, and control charts
    • Scatter diagrams
    • Design of experiments (DOE)
    • Measurement and process capability studies

EXAMPLES OF APEX QUALITY ASSURANCE RESULTS:

  • Assessed complete manufacturing facility for ISO certification
  • Developed a QA plan for off-shore brazing process for aluminum heat sink
  • Provided Design of Experiments for qualifying shielded modular jacks
  • Reduced the reject rate of a coaxial connector by 57%
  • Revised QA plan for Asian production facility
  • Conducted FMEAs medical diagnostic product design and complex antenna manufacturing process
  • Provided resources for integrated management system audits per ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OSHAS 18001