Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)
What and why
Littelfuse uses the Production Part Approval Process to confirm that the supplier understands the design specifications and has a process capable of producing product to meet these requirements, during an actual production run, at the quoted production rate. An industry requirement for all automotive suppliers, PPAP is being expanded to include all of our suppliers.
PPAP requirements vary based on the submission level assigned to a supplier and/or part number. The Littelfuse Supplier Quality Engineer is responsible for designating submission level. The submission level is generally determined during the RFQ process, based on such factors as:
The basic requirements associated with each submission level are identified on the Parts Submission Warrant. More specific detail is provided in a table in the PPAP procedure. A copy of this table follows.
R-Retain at manufacturing location. Readily available for Littelfuse Review upon receipt.
A-R-Littelfuse Automotive Component Requirement ONLY-to retain at manufacturing facility.
* - Applicable unless otherwise noted on the print.
S - Submit to Littelfuse with warrant
# - Applicable if supplier has design responsibility
How and when
Production part approval is always required prior to the first shipment of product in the situations identified in the box to the right.
In these situations, the supplier fulfills the requirements, completes the Part Submission Warrant (PSW) and submits the PSW along with documents, supporting data, product samples, test results and other materials per the requirements associated with the designated submission level and indicated on the purchase order (refer to requirements table provided on the preceding page).
The PSW is reviewed by the Supplier Quality Engineer or other Quality Department personnel and disposition is given, as follows:
In addition, automotive OEM suppliers are required to provide an annual update to their PPAP, regardless of whether changes have occurred.
Littelfuse uses the Production Part Approval Process to confirm that the supplier understands the design specifications and has a process capable of producing product to meet these requirements, during an actual production run, at the quoted production rate. An industry requirement for all automotive suppliers, PPAP is being expanded to include all of our suppliers.
PPAP requirements vary based on the submission level assigned to a supplier and/or part number. The Littelfuse Supplier Quality Engineer is responsible for designating submission level. The submission level is generally determined during the RFQ process, based on such factors as:
- Part criticality
- Experience with prior part submissions
- Supplier compliance with Quality System requirements
- Supplier expertise with the specific commodity
The basic requirements associated with each submission level are identified on the Parts Submission Warrant. More specific detail is provided in a table in the PPAP procedure. A copy of this table follows.
| Requirement Type | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 |
| Warrant | S | S | S | S | S |
| Certificate of Conformance | S | R* | R* | R* | R* |
| Sample Product | S | S | S | S | R |
| Design Records | R# | R# | R# | R# | R# |
| Change Documents(if any) | R | R | R | S | S |
| Dimensional Results | R | S | S | S | S |
| Checking Aids | R | R | R | R | R |
| Test Results | R | S | S | S | S |
| Process Flow Diagrams | A-R | A-R | R | S | S |
| Process FMEA's | A-R | A-R | R | R | R |
| Design FMEA's | A-R# | A-R# | R# | R# | R# |
| Control Plan | A-R | A-R | S | S | S |
| Process Capability Studies | A-R | A-R | R | S | S |
| Measurement System Studies | A-R | A-R | R | R | R |
| Design Engineering Approval | A-R | A-R | S# | S# | S# |
R-Retain at manufacturing location. Readily available for Littelfuse Review upon receipt.
A-R-Littelfuse Automotive Component Requirement ONLY-to retain at manufacturing facility.
* - Applicable unless otherwise noted on the print.
S - Submit to Littelfuse with warrant
# - Applicable if supplier has design responsibility
How and when
Production part approval is always required prior to the first shipment of product in the situations identified in the box to the right.
In these situations, the supplier fulfills the requirements, completes the Part Submission Warrant (PSW) and submits the PSW along with documents, supporting data, product samples, test results and other materials per the requirements associated with the designated submission level and indicated on the purchase order (refer to requirements table provided on the preceding page).
The PSW is reviewed by the Supplier Quality Engineer or other Quality Department personnel and disposition is given, as follows:
- Production Approval-Indicates the part meets all specifications and requirements, and the supplier is authorized to ship production quantities.
- Interim Approval-Permits shipment of material for production requirements on a limited time or piece quantity basis, when supplier has clearly defined the root cause of the non-conformities preventing production approval and has prepared an interim approval action plan agreed upon by Littelfuse.
- Rejected-Prevents production quantities from being shipped because the submission, the production lot from which it was taken and the accompanying documentation do not meet customer requirements.
In addition, automotive OEM suppliers are required to provide an annual update to their PPAP, regardless of whether changes have occurred.
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