Implementation of a “perfect launch” process to improve the effectiveness of automotive new product ramps

Automotive new product ramps demand that product-to-market times are shorter than ever to face the ongoing competitive challenges of the future. Implementation of a “perfect launch” process is a key factor driving the continuous improvement process aimed at providing parts meeting all customer requirements with zero anomalies. The QS-9000 Production Part Approval Process for General Motors requires an Early Production Containment (GP-12) procedure, “to document the supplier´s effort to gain control of its processes during start-up and acceleration, so that any quality issues that may arise are quickly identified and corrected at the supplier´s location and not at the GM customer´s manufacturing location”. Our process at Harris Semiconductor expands this concept to Ford and Chrysler (beyond QS-9000 requirements) to optimize our systems effectiveness aimed at the elimination of all returns and failures