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ePaper created 2014-05-09, 12:31:49 | version 1.30.01
Tested quality?
Ausgabe Eins 2014 21 Safety roadworthiness test for motor vehicles, although the intervals are between one and three years depending on the size and com- plexity of the ride. Knowledge and experience My colleagues ought to be able to tell from the documents wheth- er a 32,000 HP winch will actually function and operate reliably, continues Stefan Kasper. Not only does this demand the corre- sponding theoretical knowledge, but also continuous training – in spite of the level of experience. It is not necessary to be a fan of festivals in order to do this job, he points out, because the work actually starts before they do. “Of course, fairground attractions are special systems and our experts do have a preference for the peculiarities of these rides – and what makes their activity so unique.” The same thing applies to him. When it comes to roller- coasters, for example, what counts is: “Speed, speed and more speed. It doesn’t matter whether I’m sitting in the first car or in the middle; each place has its own sensation.” (jws) Photos:ChristianMüller–Fotolia,TÜVSüd,BPW Issue One 2014 21 Two questions to Dr.-Ing. EWE Michael Metzele, head of Quality and Customer Service at BPW. trailer world: With special vehicles, it is of course necessary to check first whether what the customer wants can be achieved. How can you be certain that the finished product will actually meet the quality requirements in the end? Michael Metzele: First of all, it is important to identify all of the customer’s requirements, weigh them up and convert them into technical product characteristics. Optimum support is available for this using preventative quality methods such as the “Design for Six Sigma” methodology. As the project progresses, these prod- uct functions must be verified in the test area as well as validated during field trials. Reliability technology methods help to identi- fy risks at an early stage and reduce them. The robust design of our products ensured by this method is a precondition for robust production processes. Nowadays, these are also comprehensively accompanied by quality methods such as SPC (statistical process control) from the Six-Sigma* methodological toolkit, thus ensur- ing a consistently high level of product quality. Generally speaking, quality control involves target/actual com- parisons. This is almost impossible in special productions that represent uncharted technological territory. How do you proceed in such a case? Quality control is always possible providing there are specifica- tions; for this reason, efficient quality management must particu- larly focus on the quality of development processes, and less so on checking the quality of product features. This means once robust product specifications have been defined, for example product toler- ances that can be reproducibly manufactured, the trend of experience in production plays a subordinate role. It goes without saying that learning and experience trends in production always have a posi- tiveeffectonthestabilityofproductionprocesses. (js) Module test rig in Brüchermühle near Wiehl. For more information, refer to www.tuev-sued.de/home_en and click “Sports, Leisure & Entertainment” in the “Industries” section »Every year, we carry out more than 100 initial acceptance procedures at fair- grounds, and more than 2000 repeat inspections.« Stefan Kasper, TÜV Süd Tested quality? * Six Sigma is a systematic advance for process improvement using analytical and statistical methods.