Quality Assurance Using Information Technological Interlinking of Subprocesses in Forming Technology

Abstract

Combined hot forming production processes are characterized by the fact that the quality features of workpieces are changed in successive production stages. In each stage of production the newly changed features have a direct influence on the production quality of the ensuing stages as well as on the quality of the final product. Quality assurance for combined hot forming production processes must take this fact into consideration. Therefore, extended horizontal quality control loops have been designed which enhance the information technological interlinking of the production stages for combined hot forming production processes. On the one hand, using these quality control loops allows preventative measures to be taken to ensure that quality is achieved, thus permitting the results of the previous stages to be individually tailored to the ensuing stages of production. On the other hand, controlling the quality of the production stages is made possible and its effects are dependent on the quality of the ensuing stages. The entire production line can be covered by using varying ranges of horizontal control loops and optimal quality control, and, from an economic point of view, optimized quality control of the whole production can take place.