SCVISIBILITY
5. Manage inbound materials. The next step is to validate inbound materials against the prescribed recipe or bill. Traceability systems should be designed to record the movement of materials and establish a genealogy tree of content, mapping the relationships between internal lots and components. This is then used in the manufacturing process to guarantee that the right materials are used at the right stages. In addition, traceability enhances manufacturing ef ciency by allowing for real-time adjustments, material replenishment signals, and procedural automation. 6. Authenticate process information. The authentication process ensures that products move through the production line in the right order and at the right time, with validation efforts ranging from high-level checks based on routing plans to more
and subject them to quality testing in a lab. This testing involves assessing key parameters such as parts per million, stress levels, dimensional accuracy, etc. Years ago, manufacturers would have had to shut down an entire plant if their components failed the testing. Today, they can conduct lot acceptance testing with a high degree of traceability that allows manufacturers to easily identify what went into the speci c product and, by extension, which population of products might have been affected. As the manufacturing landscape continues to evolve, an accurate traceability system has never been more important. The steps outlined above, from identifying processes and materials to conducting lot acceptance testing, form a comprehensive framework that enhances the accuracy of traceability and contributes to product quality and fosters customer trust. n
intricate assessments involving machine controls and detailed measurements. 7. Label products and containers. Proper labeling is crucial to maintain uninterrupted production, prevent delays, and ensure the pro tability of manufacturing plants. Incorrect labels on packages are the primary cause of customer returns; these may result from inaccuracies in the label information, quantity discrepancies, or part number errors. The consequences of such issues include not only nancial losses for manufacturers but also a decline in customer satisfaction and trust. From a consumer standpoint, accurate labeling avoids the disappointment of receiving a product that does not meet expectations. 8. Conduct lot acceptance testing. Once all of the information is in place, manufacturers can take samples of products during the production process
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