Quality improvement through capable processes and ergonomic design

Abstract Capable production processes and ergonomically designed workplaces provide the basis for the manufacture of products of consistently high quality. In addition, continuous improvement in product quality can only be realized by means of systematic analysis and optimization of all of the industrial production processes. At Volkswagen AG, process-auditing has proven to be an optimal instrument for analysis and improvement. As well as allowing full account to be taken of machine-specific factors, the integration of ergonomic studies and quasi-experimental process-capability investigations into a comprehensive process-auditing concept enables, in particular, examination of the effect of work-design measures on the quality capability of industrial production processes. The application of process-auditing in the pressing department at Volkswagen AG results in an optimization of workplace design and product quality. Relevance to industry A primary concern of any company must be the quality of its products. Basis for an improvement in the product are capable production processes and standardized, ergonomically designed work-places. The described concept of process-auditing comprises the effect of work-design and work-organization measures on the quality capability of the production processes employed at a company.