TWI Industrial Member Report Summary 569/1996
H J Powell, S A Westgate and K Wiemer
Successful competition in manufacturing demands improvements and consistency in product quality with simultaneous increases in productivity. Both these requirements emphasise the importance of good operating practice and the application of relevant quality standards.
Background
The most widely accepted quality model is outlined in IS09001. Adoption of the approach identified in this and similar standards invariably focuses on reduction of process variability as the key to improved consistency of quality.
Tools, techniques and some of the principles behind the application of process and quality control for resistance spot welding are presented and reviewed in this report.
Many different approaches and techniques regarding process and quality control for resistance welding can be observed in industrial practice. Although specific standards have been published to address quality-related requirements, no universal source of information covering methodologies, commercially available equipment and best practice is available.
Objectives
To prepare a review of issues relating to process and quality control in resistance spot welding and present this in the format of a practical guide rather than as a specialist research report. Topics to be covered include:
- Quality requirements
- Quality factors
- Measurement and sampling.
- Process control and instrumentation
- Weld quality monitors
- The use of statistics
- Relevant standards