Evaluating and Improving the Effectiveness of Visual Inspection of Products from the Automotive Industry

摘要

The article presents the results in the field of assessment and improvement of the effectiveness of visual inspection of products - airbag modules, manufactured by a company from the automotive industry (Tier 1 supplier). The research was carried out using the Kappa index and auxiliary indicators proposed by the automotive industry for the assessment of the inspection system consisting of 3 controllers involved in the inspection of the above-mentioned products. The results showed numerous interesting interdependencies in the inspectors' classifying the specially selected sample of products into two qualitative categories (OK, NOK). The findings included, among other things, poor or average compliance of the controllers' decisions with the expert's decision, an unacceptably high share of the type II errors consisting in the acceptance of a non-conforming product - this applied to all controllers, and a poor result of the entire control system (3 controllers verified in total). Furthermore, the conducted research allowed to develop a ranking of controllers. The obtained research output led to actions intended to improve the alternative product control system including the trainings for all controllers, the modification of the visual assessment standard and implementation of the Andon system.