Quality Expo Detroit: PQ Systems' FormVision Simplifies Advanced Quality Planning

PQ Systems, Inc.ct quality-planning program being demonstrated at Quality Expo Detroit is called FormVision. This software tool can help automotive manufacturers and suppliers cut the cost of advanced product quality planning (APQP) by eliminating data duplication and establishing better control over the process.

Essentially, APQP is a way to define steps to provide a product that will satisfy customers, including suppliers. The guidelines were developed by the Big Three automakers to support production of quality products to satisfy customers.

FormVision provides the tools that are required through all six stages of the APQP process. These include: planning or defining the program, product design and development, process design and development, product and process validation, production, and feedback assessment and corrective action. With FormVision, it's possible to plan changes and predict their effects before a process is underway, which reduces costs and improves reliability.

Although APQP is a systematic approach to planning, it contains several complexities that can be simplified with software, according to Brian Elliott, technical coordinator for FormVision. For instance, the software allows customers to input files, linking to websites or external files, and to embed files (charts, drawings, JPG files, bitmaps, Excel files, Powerpoint files, etc.).

Among the forms provided by FormVision are process flow diagrams, product assurance plans, design failure mode effect and analysis forms, process failure mode and effect analysis forms, process capability studies, and others.

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Edited by Nancy Katz