How do we put IATF 16949 requirements into daily work?

Qicheng MES uses batch traceability as the backbone, configuring control plans, special characteristics and inspection standards in the system. Operators execute to standard with automatic records, so audit evidence is generated alongside production.

How far can batch traceability go?

Batches link incoming material, in-process steps, inspection and shipment, binding heat numbers to finished batches in both directions. Forward you see where material went, backward you trace its origin, and traceability reports are generated in one click.

How are CPK values for key characteristics monitored?

SPC draws control charts automatically and calculates CPK and PPK in real time, raising alarms on out-of-control trends and triggering cause analysis and corrective actions in a closed loop.

How are PPAP and APQP documents managed?

Deliverables are configured per project phase, with versions, sign-off status and owners flowing online. PPAP packages are compiled automatically and retrieved in one click during audits.

Automotive Parts Industry Solution

Aligned with IATF 16949, delivering batch-level traceability and process quality control so system requirements become daily digital workflows that are executable, traceable and auditable.

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Four compliance and quality pressures for auto parts makers

OEM requirements for process capability and traceability evidence keep tightening, and paper-based, manually summarized quality management can no longer keep up.

OEM audits

Strict audits demand ready evidence

Annual process audits and second-party audits are frequent. Auditors expect process records and traceability evidence on the spot, and scrambling through ledgers at short notice is overwhelming.

PPAP / APQP

Complex documents, easy version chaos

APQP deliverables and PPAP packages involve multiple departments. Versions and sign-off status are scattered, making archiving slow and prone to omissions.

Process capability

CPK needs continuous monitoring

Key and special characteristics require CPK to stay on target. Inspection data is calculated afterward in Excel, so anomalies are found late and process warnings are difficult.

Quality traceability

High traceability demands with precise scope

When a quality issue occurs, affected batches and their flow must be identified quickly. Fragmented material, process and inspection data make the traceability chain hard to close.

Turn IATF 16949 requirements into daily digital workflows

With batch traceability as the backbone, Qicheng MES brings quality planning, process control, inspection management and supplier collaboration onto one platform, keeping system documents consistent with shop-floor execution and generating audit evidence automatically during production.

Systematic implementation: Configure control plans, special characteristics and inspection standards in the system so the floor executes to standard with automatic records.
Process quality control: SPC monitors key characteristics in real time, calculates CPK automatically and triggers immediate warnings and disposition when processes go out of control.
Exportable audit evidence: Export batch traceability, process capability and inspection records in one click, ready whenever an audit asks.

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Qicheng MES · Quality traceability and SPC

Forward and backward batch traceability

Batch LOT-2603-118

Incoming · steel heat number HL-2602-07

Inspected

Process · stamping line 3 / die M-2218

Parameters in spec

Inspection · full-dimension report CMM-0426

Passed

Shipment · customer batch SH-2604-02

Shipped

Key characteristic CPK trend

CPK 1.67

Xiaocheng AI tip: CPK for feature φ12.5 dropped from 1.52 to 1.33. Check die wear on Line 3.

Six core application scenarios

Build a quality management system across the value chain, covering traceability, process control, document consolidation and supplier collaboration.

Batch-level forward and backward traceability

Use the batch as the thread through incoming, process, inspection and shipment. Trace forward to destinations and backward to sources, and pinpoint the impact scope of quality issues.

· Two-way binding of material heat numbers and finished-goods batches
· One-click traceability reports with minute-level response
· Precise recall-scope assessment

SPC process control

Automatically plot control charts for key and special characteristics, calculate CPK/PPK in real time, and trigger cause analysis and corrective actions when processes go out of control.

· Automatic X-R, mean-range and other control charts
· Real-time CPK/PPK calculation and trend monitoring
· Automatic alerts and closed-loop handling for out-of-control points

Automatic PPAP / APQP document consolidation

Configure deliverable checklists by project phase; route document versions, sign-off status and owners online to form complete packages that can be retrieved in one click during audits.

· APQP phase task and deliverable dashboard
· Automatic PPAP package compilation and version control
· Electronic sign-off trails with clear accountability

Incoming and outgoing inspection management

Digitize incoming inspection, in-process patrol inspection and outgoing inspection. Inspection standards and sampling plans are configurable, and results automatically link to inventory and release.

· Configurable inspection standards and sampling rules
· Closed-loop isolation, review and disposition of nonconforming items
· Gauge calibration and MSA management

Equipment OEE management

Automatically collect equipment status and output data, calculate availability, performance and quality rates, identify efficiency losses and drive continuous improvement.

· Automatic OEE calculation across three dimensions with drill-down
· Downtime reason categorization and quantified losses
· Predictive maintenance to reduce unplanned downtime

Supplier collaboration

Give suppliers visibility into incoming quality, delivery and corrective actions. Quality issues flow online, forming a closed collaboration loop from supplier to plant.

· Supplier portal sharing delivery and quality data
· Online tracking and verification of 8D corrective actions
· Automatic supplier performance scoring

Compliance value aligned with IATF 16949

System requirements and shop-floor execution become one, with audit evidence captured automatically during production.

Controlled documents and records: Quality manuals, procedures and control plans are controlled online with version-change trails, preventing use of obsolete documents.
Special characteristic management: Special characteristic identification, control methods and CPK data are fully recorded to meet continuous process capability monitoring requirements.
Closed-loop nonconforming item disposition: Digitize the full flow from isolation and review to corrective action and verification, making issues traceable and reproducible.
Gauges and MSA: Manage gauge ledgers, calibration plans and MSA results in one place, with automatic reminders before expiry.
Changes and customer-specific requirements: Route engineering changes and OEM-specific requirements through approval workflows for consistent execution and timely response.
One-click audit evidence export: Batch traceability and process capability reports are archived automatically, ready for second- and third-party audits.

100%

End-to-end batch traceability

99.2%

First-pass yield

-45%

Audit preparation time

+12%

Equipment OEE improvement

Implementation results in the auto parts industry

Real improvements from suppliers of stamped parts, precision structural parts and other components.

Customer case · parts supplier

An automotive parts supplier

With end-to-end batch traceability and SPC process control, key characteristic CPK stays above 1.67 and the annual OEM process audit was passed on the first attempt.

99.2%

First-pass yield

1.67

Key characteristic CPK

100%

Audit pass rate

Customer case · precision structural parts

A precision structural parts manufacturer

After consolidating PPAP documents and APQP deliverables online, project preparation time dropped sharply, engineering changes were answered faster and customer satisfaction improved noticeably.

-45%

Document preparation time

+12%

Equipment OEE

Minute-level

Batch traceability