TY  - JOUR
AB  - Baker Hughes INTEQ, a mid‐size manufacturing operation, has successfully developed and implemented an innovative, visual, in‐process inspection programme that can be used on any of the
firm's highly technical products. This method of logical and systematic inspection creates
a reliable, cost‐effective product geared towards today's fast‐paced
manufacturing market, providing an alternative to expensive automated inspection equipment.
This quality system monitors and records the assembly operation while allowing for continuous
improvement to an already tight process control. The first step uses the flowchart method to
teach assembly/inspection personnel a logical process of 100% inspection to replace
random checking of the assembly. The next step introduces self‐inspection by
systematically removing conventional inspection operations over a short period; the results
are faster output, improved first time acceptance rates (less rework), and a higher
quality product. For companies implementing visual in‐process inspection there are a
number of factors to consider: temporary vs permanent employees, employee
attitude, and workmanship standards. Implementation of this programme has been highly
effective, reducing rework costs by approximately $10,000 per month. This paper explains how the visual, in‐process inspection programme was
developed and implemented and how it can be used on any highly technical product. The
programme is designed around a manufacturing cell (work area) concept that gives
‘power to the employees’ and leaves out the ‘traditional’
quality/manufacturing process.
VL  - 23
IS  - 2
SN  - 0305-6120
DO  - 10.1108/03056129710370123
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/03056129710370123
AU  - Wirth S.W.
PY  - 1997
Y1  - 1997/01/01
TI  - Visual In‐process Inspection
T2  - Circuit World
PB  - MCB UP Ltd
SP  - 7
EP  - 10
Y2  - 2024/04/18
ER  -