Using MBE Data in Quality Planning Processes

Abstract

Dhis article describes how model-based enterprise (MBE) data in the form of 3D technical data packages (TDPs) can be leveraged within quality engineering processes, just as the principles of quality assurance are applied to manufacturing and sustainment activities. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is very interested in receiving 3D TDPs from industry as part of weapon-system acquisitions on all future programs. To facilitate this, the U.S. Army and the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) MBE programs are focused on ensuring that the following components are in place: • Technology maturity • Processes defined to properly utilize the technology • Standards in place to support the use of the processes and technology • Policy to enforce the use of standard processes and technology in acquisition of data Team members of the Army’s ManTech program, which involves MBE and model-based definition (MBD), have been working hard to ensure that 3D TDPs are possible from an engineering creation standpoint, and that they are reused in manufacturing planning activities. Until now we paid less attention to other processes like quality planning. We are confident there is great potential to be leveraged in this area. Today, quality plans are written by quality engineers, who break down requirements documents for product manufacturing. These requirements documents include contract documents as well as product definition documents or TDPs. Most of today’