Computer-supported quality control in the automotive industry

We present a computer-supported system for monitoring and qualify control in a supply chain in the automotive industry. A standardized general model of a factory revealing the structure of the important business and manufacture functions, including functions of the CA Q (computer-aided quality) system, is defined. Within the model there is an emphasis on (1) the measurement and control of processes and products, and (2) the management of nonconformities and systematic corrective and preventive action and continual improvement. For illustration, two case studies of successful CAQ-system implementations are demonstrated. (C) 2001 Journal of Mechanical Engineering. All rights reserved.