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Quality control

This unit of work addresses aspects of the following syllabus outcomes:

A student:

H6.1: evaluates the characteristics of quality manufactured products

H6.2: applies the principles of quality and quality control.

Extract from Stage 6 Industrial Technology Syllabus, © Board of Studies, NSW, 2008.

Introduction

This unit deals with the broad application of quality control in various industries. It provides opportunities for students to:

• define quality control and related terms
• describe the objectives of quality control
• indicate where and how quality control can be used.

Quality control was first practised by W.E. Deming, an American statistician. He "used statistics to examine industrial production processes for flaws and believed that improving product quality depended on increased management-labour cooperation as well as improved design and production" (source: http://www.encyclopedia.com).

The material that can be found at the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations web site referred to below relates to quality control as it is applied to the fish industry. However, the principals developed and the processes discussed can be applied to almost any industry. Quality control began in the engineering industry when it was found that company reputation and profits suffered when customers complained about poor quality products. Since that time the processes of quality control have been extended to include almost every manufacturing industry, the food industry, service industries and even education.

Activity 1 - Definition of Quality Control (QC)

Access the FAO web site at http://www.fao.org/wairdocs/tan/x5934e/x5934e01.htm and research the definition of the term Quality Control.

Answer

Activity 2 - The purpose of QC

Visit the web site: http://www.fao.org/wairdocs/tan/x5934e/x5934e01.htm and go to the section on the purpose of quality control to locate the words which will complete the following statements.

The objective of QC is to assist the ___________ or improvement of __________ by _____________ customer _____________ about ___________, and hence to avoid the resulting lost ______________.

Customer _____________ mainly arise because quality has _____________; therefore the objective of QC is realised by keeping the ___________ of ________ at the right level.

Loss of profitability can also occur when manufactured products do not ____________ with local or national _____________; QC can give protection here also. Maintenance of quality is particularly important for ___________ ____________, because a brand name becomes associated with a particular ____________ _________, and any lowering of the level causes the customer to lose ______________ in the brand; sales of other goods under the same _____________ may then also be ____________.

Source: FAO, Quality control in the fish industry.

Answer

Activity 3 - Where and how QC operates

The level of QC implemented by a company depends on the size of company and the kind of products it is handling. People in a small assembly plant may carry out their own QC by inspecting individual parts as they assembly them into a unit. A manufacturer sending specialised components to an assembly facility will require much more sophisticated QC than those in the small assembly plant. However, four main stages at which QC is applied can be identified.

Visit the web site http://www.fao.org/wairdocs/tan/x5934e/x5934e01.htm and the Where and how quality control operates to locate the four main stages at which QC is applied, and make a brief summary of what happens at each stage.

Use a table like the one below to structure your answer.

Quality control stage	What happens
1.
2.
3.
4.

Answer

Note: not all of these stages necessarily would be present in every case. Ideally, controlling the raw material and the process should lead to the manufacturing of a consistent product, but in practice complete consistency is never achieved. (Source: FAO, Quality control in the fish industry)

Activity 4 - Recording, Reporting and Action

In any QC process it is essential that appropriate records be made and kept. These records become the basis for any inquiry into a breach of quality, and they form the core of information that should be used to rectify any breakdown in the quality of production.

Visit the web site http://www.fao.org/wairdocs/tan/x5934e/x5934e01.htm and under the section recording, reporting and action find answers to the following questions.

1. What forms might records take?
2. Who in a company might take action to rectify a breakdown in quality?
3. What arrangements need to be made for effective QC processes?

Answer

Activity 5 - Quality control personnel

Visit the web site: http://www.jobguide.deewr.gov.au/ and describe some of the criteria relating to the role of a Quality Assurance Inspector. Use the following headings for your answer:

• Alternative titles
• Job description
• Job tasks
• Personal requirements
• Possible future career paths

Answer

Activity 6 - A case study in industry quality control

Visit the web site: http://sres.anu.edu.au/associated/fpt/hwd/Raw.html and read the case study on quality control in the Australian hardwood saw milling industry. Outline the main points made in the case study.

.

Answer