During working in the automotive, it’s good to know terms and abbreviations which are used in this area.
In the article below, we present the second part of the series related to 50 english terms and abbreviations for suppliers producing components for automotive (first is available at the link).
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We hope that it will be very helpful support during Your work.
Advanced Problem Solving (APS): method for complex problem solving. For example: Design of Experiment, Shainin, Six Sigma.
Auto-Quality matrix (AQM): tool for QRQC teams, based on which we are able to analyze not only the causes of problems but also assess the level of detection and response to errors in the process.
Bill Of Materials (BOM): the composition of raw materials (granules, paint), subcomponents with the quantities required for the final product producing.
Boundary Samples (BS): boundary patterns. Defined mainly for visual inspection implementation.
Continuous Improvement (CI): using Lean methodology context, continuous improvement seeks process improvement in production plant.
Design Review: Customer and supplier joint reviews prior to “freezing” the mathematical model and tooling kick-off.
Design of Experiments (DoE): part of Advance Problem Solving.
Design Validation Phase (DV): is the most commonly standardized phase of product development from APQP.
Direct Buy (DB): term used to refer to sub-suppliers (Tier 2) that the customer has choose to cooperate with Tier during new launch. Example: a seat supplier has to order leather upholstery from a given sub-supplier indicated by the OEM.
Feasibility Assessment (FA): an assessment performed by supplier which later is sent to the client with the rest of the documentation for the project quote (request for quotation documents).
First In, First Out (FIFO): element of product management in the warehouse.
Fixture: equipment used for checking drawing characteristics on produced part.
Fault Tree Analysis (FTA): analysis that reflects the relationship between faults.
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD): sudden instantaneous flow of electric current between two objects with different electrical potentials, usually created by electrification, caused by direct contact or dielectric breakdown.
Electrical Overstress (EOS): most often occurs in the case of warranty return analyzes carried out for electronic components. Usually it is preceded by an agreement with the client regarding decapsulation.
First Part Approval (FPA): approval of the first good part before starting the production cycle as a certification of compliance with the requirements of given product characteristics.
Final Product Audit: activity performed in automotive industry required by IATF 9.2.2.4 Product Audit.
First Yield Rate (FYR): First pass score (e.g. 9/10 – 9 out of 10 pass 1st test). One of production capacity KPI’s.
Gage Repeatability and Reproducibility (Gauge R&R): measurement systems analysis element for the determination of repeatability and reproducibility for a given control equipment/tool. Part of the MSA AIAG handbook.
Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T): approach used to standardize the rules for creating technical drawings.
Human Error Root Cause Analysis (HERCA): root cause investigating. Used during root cause analysis perorming applied in Kaizen problem solving.
Hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV): type of hybrid vehicle that combines a conventional internal combustion engine system with an electric powertrain.
Injection moulding machine (IMM): plastics processing equipment.
Instrument Pannel (IP): dasboard synonym.
Incoming Inspection (II): activity performed before the components are released for production.
Just in Sequence (JIS): the way how components are delivered to the production line.
Maturity Level Assurance (MLA): one of the reference manuals from the VDA group related to the activities carried out during pre-launch phase.
Measurement System Analysis (MSA): one of the AIAG reference manuals for automotive suppliers.
New Business Hold (NBH): one of the customer escalation activities. In this case, the supplier cannot take part in the new business.
Noise Vibration Harshness (NVH): activity related to the measurement of the noise types generated by the final product, most often in the vehicle environment, in order to correlate noise bands with the EOL (End of Line tester).
Off Tool (OT): final process in a non-final location – e.g. at the mold tool maker.
Off Tool Off Process (OTOP): final process in a final location. Parts produced with this equipment status should be taken for Product Validation tests (PV tests).
On Job Training: team work observing method at each level of the organization. It allows the supervisor to work directly with the team to improve work efficiency, analyzes quality and to eliminate recurrence (a problem that occurred).
One Piece Flow (OPF): a production method in which products or a batch of products are produced and passed on to the next process step one at a time. In other words, the maximum buffers between operations / workstations / processes is equal one.
Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE): One of the main production indicators for capacity calculating.
Printed Circuit Board (PCB): one of the electronics elements.
Risk Priority Number (RPN): an indicator that defines which activity should be addressed in the first place during defining activities in FMEA for the AIAG manual.
Root Cause (RC): activity defined in step D4 of the 8D methodology.
Run at Rate (R@R): a capacity assessment technique used by a FORD. Other techniques are 2TP used by VW and CAT – Capacity Assessment (xPRD) used by Stellantis xFCA.
Safe Launch Plan (SLP): planning for a safe launch in the pre-launch phase and a specific time after SoP (Start of Production).
Sanctioned Interpretations (SI’s): sanctioned interpretations of IATF requirements (link).
Shopfloor layout: layout of the production hall shows arrangement operations and stations.
Supplier Development Engineer (SDE): engineer responsible for supplier development during development phase.
Special Characteristics Communication and Agreement Form (SCCAF): List of agreed special characteristics between Ford and the supplier. It is worth noting this information in the description of the change log during Control Plan defining or updating.
Statistical Process Control (SPC): one of the AIAG group of reference manuals.
Supplier Quality Assurance (SQA): an engineer responsible for suppliers in current production.
Swap tests: The substitution of a component between the reference part and part analyzed to confirm that the defect “follows” the component.
The Way To Teach People (TTWTP): certification of operator competencies during Kaizen analysis.
Quick Response (QR): quick response to errors. Element of QRQC solving problem.
Work Station (WS): production workstation.
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