'n Ontleding van 'n kwaliteitstelsel vir produksiegrondstowwe

Abstract

The object of this script is to show, through analysing the primary elements of a quality system for production raw-materials, how such a system can ensure that raw-materials not conforming to specification will not enter the production process. A quality system for production raw-materials is a system that is not only designed to identify defective raw-materials, but more importantly to prevent defective raw-materials entering the production process. The elements of a quality system for production raw-materials that have been analysed in this script are the following: (a) THE MANAGEMENT OF QUALITY Quality Assurance is in reality an extremely rewarding and effective method of co-ordinating the efforts of a company to a common goal. The basic policies regarding quality are interrelated with the basic decisions regarding the purpose, direction and focus of the company. The purpose, direction and focus of the company is to make a profit and to make a profit an organization needs to manufacture products that are fit for purpose. Profits can be ensured

by an effective programme leading to reduced raw-material consumption and production costs and by assurance of raw-material quality that eliminates final rejections. (b) SPECIFYING RAW-MATERIALS As a company' s life will be short if it purchases unsuitable raw-materials for its processes, it is essential that raw- materials be purchased against strict specifications to ensure fitness for use. Specifications define the control limits - the minimum and maximum values of the various chemical and physical properties of the raw-materials. Raw-material specifications are the means by which the requirements of the purchaser are conveyed to the raw- material supplier. The quality system for raw-materials sets the policies, standards , methods and specifications whereby the compliance of raw-materials with specification can be monitored. ( c) THE PURCHASING OF RAW- MATERIALS The function of the purchasing department is to buy raw-materials of the right quality in the right quantity at the right price from

the right source and at the right time. Effective purchasing demands the selection of suitable suppliers , In the selection of suppliers of production raw-materials consideration should be given to the following aspects : * evaluation, prior to purchasing, of raw-materials to be supplied * review of previous performance of the supplier in supplying to similar or identical specifications * assessment of the supplier's compliance with an appropriate quality system. Efficient purchasing practice demands that the purchaser tell the supplier exactly which production raw-materials he wishes to buy. Detailed production raw-materials specifications are the means by which the needs of the purchaser are conveyed to the supplier, (d) THE ACCEPTANCE OF RAW-MATERIALS The main purpose of acceptance inspection of production raw- materials upon receipt is to check for failures in supplier quality programmes thereby filtering out those raw-materials that do not meet the quality standards.

Acceptance inspection is done by measuring the characteristics of raw-materials and comparing these measurements with established standards. If imperfect raw-materials are rejected before any time or effort has been spent on production, machine and labour time need be expended on good raw-materials only, whereby overall productivity could be improved. (e) HANDLING AND STORAGE OF RAW MATERIALS The receiving department is responsible for the receipt, identification and general inspection of all incoming raw-materials, as well as notifying all interested parties of the receipt and condition of these materials. It is the duty of the stores department to take responsibility for the safe storage of all production raw-materials, and to protect the raw-materials in its custody against pilferage, damage, deterioration and unauthorized usage. The inspection status of raw-materials should be indicated at all stages and raw-materials should be kept segregated in accordance with this status. The stores department must also control the

physical issuing of raw-materials in a manner that will provide an effective service to the production department. (f) KEEPING OF RECORDS A prime requirement of any quality system is traceability. Not only must all the requisite operations be carried out, but comprehensive, readily accessible records must be kept on file as proof that all the operations have been carried out and that the identity of the raw-materials has been retained at all stages. Records are therefore considered one of the principal forms of objective evidence of quality. The quality system must stipulate which records are to be kept and must provide minimum time periods for retention of such records. (g) AUDITING OF QUALITY SYSTEM The quality system for production raw-materials should be audited periodically to make sure that purchased production raw-materials can be expected to have the specified level of quality. Such audits must demonstrate that the quality system for production raw- materials is achieving the required results, reveal any defect or

irregularities in any of the elements examined and provide for corrective action where necessary. Audit programmes are incomplete without a report to management containing a summary of the results and corrective actions that require additional follow-up and further action. In conclusion it has been found that a quality system for production raw-materials should ensure that only raw-materials conforming t o the applicable physical, chemical, metallurgical and other technical requirements will enter the production process. The script has shown that the implementation of a quality system for production raw-materials may be recommended to every production organization, as such a system will give both management and consumer the assurance that the raw-materials to be used in the production process are of the right quality and conform to the required specifications.