CQI-15 Welding System Assessment

Significance and Application of CQI-15 Welding System Assessment

The new AIAG CQI-15 2nd edition was released in October 2019. See further below the new build-up and essential content as well as the new job audit process tables of the 2nd edition.

The North American automotive association AIAG (Automotive Industry Action Group) is publisher of the CQI standards (Continuous Quality Improvement). CQI-15 is a self-assessment regarding the welding processes and must be carried out at least once a year.

This standard is an appendix to IATF 16949 under „customer-specific requirements“ and is valid for all automotive suppliers globally that have entered into a contractual agreement regarding purchasing, supply and quality throughout the supply chain.
As a long standing member of the AIAG, TopQM-Systems already specialized early on in the introduction, development and qualification of employees, as well as auditor training according to the rules of AIAG for CQI-15 welding processes in the European and global automotive supplier markets.

Here are the most important changes at a glance (TopQM information):

+ Cover page – The cover page has been completely redesigned, the rating system has been re-automated in "Fulfilment Grade" (R-Y-G).
+ Cover page - A new evaluation and presentation of the "Special Features" (CTQ) was added
+ Cover page – Product-specific information was added, such as detailed welding process information, item information, in which vehicle the
   component is installed, to which customer the component is delivered
+ Cover page - The welding processes have been reclassified
+ Main Audit Question Catalogue - 5 sub-elements have been redesigned
+ Main Audit Question Catalogue - Number of audit questions expanded from 69 to 80
+ The process tables and job audits were merged into a common audit checklist and renamed to "Job Audit Process Tables"
+ The audit question lists of the respective individual welding processes "Job Audit Process Tables" have been reclassified into the following
   sub-question elements: 

1.Part drawing

2. Control plan

3. Destructive/non-destructive tests

4. Testing of welding quality

5. Rework

6. Process parameter specifications

7. Maintenance and maintenance   

8. Sustainability

9. Automated welding systems (robotics)

+ Ultrasonic welding process is no longer required in the new CQI-15 2nd Edition and is no longer required

+ A new "Welding Health Chart" has been introduced for continuous monitoring of welding quality       

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New CQI-15 2^nd Edition 10-2019 Welding System Assessment - Expert Meeting

In June 2020, an expert meeting was held via WebEx between AIAG and TopQM-Systems. The basics of the meeting were:

• Application of the new CQI-15

  

• Detailing the changes
• Exchange of experiences
• Understanding the interrelationships of the new requirements and question techniques
• Background singofs to the newly developed cover page

The result of this expert panel was consistently positive and successful for TopQM systems. We were now able to gain experience after 4 CQI-15 assessments. You can find out this and other interesting background information at our next CQI-15 online and open seminars including the German translation of the audit Excel list.

» Further online and open CQI trainings will take place incl. the German translation

AIAG CQI audits for "Special Processes"  - also possible as remote audits

TopQM-Systems has been conducting on-site audits as well as "remote audits" for your location, but also for your suppliers, for several years now. Long-standing qualified and experienced TopQM CQI auditors are available to you on site in Germany and Europe, but also worldwide. Especially in these uncertain times, we are a reliable partner both on site and via remote audit, use our global expert audit team.

» More information about Remote Audits

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Structure, Content and Elements of the CQI-15 Questionnaire

Cover page (incl. automatic calculation of the fulfillment levels)

Main Audit Question Catalogue

• 1. Welding process evaluation
• 2. Documentation
• 3. Work planning
• 4. Production monitoring
• 5. Rework

Job Audit Process Tables (8x)

• Gas-metal arc welding
• Laser welding
• Arc Bolt Welding
• Resistance Welding
• Friction welding
• Induction/high-frequency tube welding
• Resistance point and hump welding for fasteners
• Arc press welding
  
   

TopQM-Systems Global CQI-15 Service

• We are once of the global largest CQI-Training Provider of CQI-15 2-day training “Implementation of CQI-15” > in US, Mexico, Europe, Korea, China, India
• Also all related special processes like CQI-9, CQI-11, CQI-12, CQI-17, CQI-23 and CQI-27 > 2-day trainings
• Also CQI-8, CQI-14, CQI-19 > 1-day training  (link zur Seminarbeschreibung)
• We conduct CQI process audits in your company and at your locations
• We conduct CQI process audits at your external service providers
• CQI-FMEA Training (Failure Mode and Effect Analysis)
• Integration of „CQI self-assessments“ in your QM system and your process audits
• Certification support to ISO 9001 and  IATF 16949

TopQM-Systems already conducts AIAG CQI process audits for well-known automotive companies as well as in-house training througout the supply chain. Make use of our special know-how and contact us for your consultation interview or for an individual, detailed service offer at no charge and without obligation.

Examples of TopQM-Systems projects and references for CQI audits and CQI auditor training (extract):

• Robert Bosch
• BMW
• Advaltech
• Opel
• Magna
• WABCO
• Kern Liebers
• WST
• Faurecia
• Autoliv
• Lear
• Advaltech
   

We shall gladly provide you with a contact person and contact data for the above-mentioned project and reference examples upon request.