Irqb Guideline 6 Special Processes Rev01
Irqb Guideline 6 Special Processes Rev01
Irqb Guideline 6 Special Processes Rev01
SPECIAL PROCESSES
2020 / rev. 01
English
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Table of Contents
1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 4
2 Normative references ......................................................................................................... 5
3 Terms and definitions ......................................................................................................... 5
3.1 Terms and definitions for the rail sector.............................................................................. 5
3.2 Abbreviations.................................................................................................................. 5
4 Criticality level of the output................................................................................................ 6
5 Operating method.............................................................................................................. 8
5.1 Management .................................................................................................................. 8
5.1.1 Roles and responsibilities in special process management................................................... 9
5.1.2 Risk Management ........................................................................................................10
5.1.3 Process qualification.....................................................................................................10
5.1.4 Process validation ........................................................................................................11
5.1.5 Process control and monitoring (Indicators).....................................................................11
5.1.6 Nonconformity management.........................................................................................12
5.1.7 Change management....................................................................................................12
5.1.8 Transfer management ..................................................................................................12
5.1.9 Supply chain management ............................................................................................12
5.1.10 Special process audits and inspections ..........................................................................12
5.1.11 Knowledge management.............................................................................................13
5.1.12 Special processes performed by External providers .........................................................14
5.2 Manpower.....................................................................................................................15
5.2.1 Special process coordinator...........................................................................................15
5.2.1.1 Coordinator qualification............................................................................................15
5.2.2 Special process operator ...............................................................................................15
5.2.2.1 Operator qualification ................................................................................................15
5.2.2.2 Operator skill matrix ..................................................................................................16
5.2.3 Other special processes personnel..................................................................................16
5.3 Machines.......................................................................................................................16
5.4 Methods .......................................................................................................................16
5.5 Materials .......................................................................................................................17
5.5.1 Inspection...................................................................................................................17
The aim of this guideline is to define the specificities for compliance with the requirements of the
IRIS Certification® rev. 03 system regarding special processes. It guides and supports the user in
preparatory work for the implementation of the ISO/TS 22163 requirements related to special
processes.
Furthermore, it defines and describes the special processes that are relevant to the rail sector and
supports the management of those processes in accordance with the ISO/TS 22163 and IRIS
Certification® Conformity assessment.
The details on
• the technical requirements can be found in the ISO/TS 22163 “Railway applications – Quality
management system – Business management system requirements for rail organizations:
ISO 9001:2015 and particular requirements for application in the rail sector”.
• the certification process and the assessment methodology can be found in the IRIS
Certification® Conformity assessment.
Compared to other processes, special processes require special attention as the conformity of the
output is not readily, technically or economically validated. See definition in clause 3. The following
processes are generally considered special processes.
• bonding and sealing,
• casting,
• crimping,
• force fitting or shrink fitting,
• forging,
• heat treatment,
• laminating (composites,…),
• moulding,
• potting (e.g. electronics),
• riveting,
• stress relief treatment,
• surface treatment (painting, coating, chemical and electro-chemical treatment),
• torque tightening/bolt tensioning (for preload application),
• welding (including soldering and brazing),
• 3D printing.
Other processes may be considered.
For the use of this guideline the following three aspects should be considered:
1) Is the process a special process? See clause 3,
2) What is the criticality level of the process output in terms of safety and quality? See clause 4,
3) Is the process carried out internally or externally (external providers)? For external providers
see clause 5.1.12.
The guideline content is a recommendation based on good practices from the rail sector experts and
methods and is not subject to be audited by any third-party audit as a mandatory requirement.
IRIS Certification® Rules for achieving and maintaining IRIS Certification® recognition
Conformity
assessment
Special process The person who coordinates the special process, see clauses 5.1.1 and 5.2.1.
coordinator
Special process The person who executes the special process, see clause 5.2.2.
operator
Special process A procedure for use in the workstation that describes how to carry out the
instruction special process.
3.2 Abbreviations
The abbreviations given in ISO/TS 22163 apply for the purpose of this document
FAI First Article Inspection
• Management,
• Manpower,
• Machines,
• Methods,
• Materials,
• Mother nature (Environment).
Process input elements and output can be represented using an Ishikawa diagram [1]. Ishikawa
diagrams are causal diagrams that show the potential causes resulting in a specific event.
Table 1: Special process implementation matrix according to the criticality level of the special process
output
Production
Required Management 5.1.1
planning
Inspection planning Required Recommended Management 5.1.1
No specific
FMEA Required Recommended Management 5.1.2
requirement
Qualification &
validation of special Required Recommended Management 5.1.3
process
Process control &
Required Recommended Management 5.1.5
monitoring
Nonconformity and Required
corrective action Management 5.1.6
management Procedures for rework required Recommended
5 Operating method
The management of the special process is key to the output and is therefore described in detail before
the other 5M input elements: Manpower, Machine, Methods, Material and Mother nature.
5.1 Management
The management of the special process influences all of the input elements (see Fig. 1) as well as the
output. Special process management encompasses:
• roles and responsibilities in special process management,
• risk management,
The relationship between the special process coordinator and the organization should be defined
and communicated.
The special process coordinator should be integrated into the organization in a way that allows the
execution of the tasks in the areas of responsibility without any restrictions; the coordinator should
have the required authority to instruct and make decisions, independent from production.
The areas of responsibility of the special process coordinator within the organization should be
documented. These areas of responsibility may include:
The relationship among locations within the same organization that share the same special
processes should be defined.
A standard qualification record form should be established. If a standard qualification form exists,
for example, in international or national standards, that form may be used directly.
Qualification tests are to be supervised by the special process coordinator. Qualification approval
needs to be given by the special process coordinator or by an external accredited examination body,
if applicable.
To assist in the determination of range of validity (if none exists), the risk management tools
specified in clause 5.1.2 should be used.
During this validation the correct application of the qualified special process(es) should be checked,
as well as the ability to produce the expected results. These checks are performed throughout the
entire process (before, during and after).
It may be useful to create additional indicators to measure the correct application of the special
process for example:
The special process coordinator will determine when a change in the input elements (see Fig. 1)
requires a new or revised qualification (see clause 5.1.3) and process validation (see clause 5.1.4).
A revised qualification may include complete or partial inspection or testing that justifies the change.
If no further testing is carried out, the justification for not testing should be recorded.
When a qualified special process is substituted by another one, a new process validation (see clause
5.1.4) needs to be carried out.
The special process coordinator at the original location should be informed of the location change.
All released documentation corresponding to the qualified special process should be transferred to
the new location.
The special process coordinator at the new location should review the documentation to ensure it
can be correctly applied at the new location. If not, new special process qualification(s) should be
carried out.
A new process validation (see clause 5.1.4) needs to be carried out at the new location.
Special process deviations and internal and external feedback are triggers for review. New
knowledge should be incorporated into the knowledge management tools.
If the organization designs a product involving an outsourced special process but has no internal
expertise in process execution, the external provider should be involved in the design phase.
5.2 Manpower
The input element “Manpower” refers to the personnel involved with the special process.
Qualification should fulfill the requirements established in the relevant national/international special
process standard and contract. If such standard does not exist, the special process coordinator
defines the qualification procedure and criteria (see clause 5.1.1 for the roles and responsibilities for
special process coordinator).
The organization should issue an operator qualification procedure, defined by the special process
coordinator, which describes how to qualify an operator. This document should include:
5.3 Machines
The input element “Machines” refers to all equipment and tools that affect the special process.
The equipment and tools that are required to perform the special processes should be qualified
according to clause 5.1.3 and regularly maintained (corrective, preventive and predictive
maintenance) to ensure the same performance.
Calibration and/or verification requirements should be considered when defining equipment and tools
in order to ensure a consistent special process output with the expected quality level.
Handling, capacity, ergonomic and HSE aspects should be considered during validation (see clause
5.1.4).
A capability analysis is recommended to ensure that the equipment and tools can deliver the
parameters that are required by the process, in a reproducible and repeatable manner.
Equipment and tools that are critical (see clause 5.1.2) to the special process output should be
traceable, so that affected products can be identified in case of nonconformity.
Special process operators should be trained (e.g. user manual) to use the relevant equipment and
tools.
5.4 Methods
The input element “Methods” refers to how the special process is performed:
Parameters and/or instructions that are critical (see clause 5.1.2) to the special process output should
be traceable, so that affected products can be identified in case of nonconformity.
5.5 Materials
The input element “Materials” refers to the materials that go into the product (base materials) and
auxiliary materials (consumables).
The materials used in the special process should be qualified according to chapter 4.1.3. The
materials should also:
• fulfil the applicable regulations and laws (e.g. REACH, RoHS, etc.),
• fulfil the applicable technical specifications and standards,
• fulfil the requirements defined in the organization’s special process documentation,
Materials that are critical (see clause 5.1.2) to the special process output should also be traceable, so
that affected products can be identified in case of nonconformity.
5.5.1 Inspection
A control plan should be established, taking into account the risk management aspects considered in
clause 5.1.2. The inspection may be performed at the external provider’s premises (e.g. FAI, FAT) or
during reception.
Declaration of Conformity, test reports and inspection certificates should be considered.
Perishable materials should be managed appropriately.
• The transport and storage conditions (e.g. temperature and humidity) required by the special
process should be defined and respected,
• A stock inventory system e.g. "first-in/first-out" (FIFO) or “first-expiry/first-out” (FEFO) should
be used to optimize the warehouse response time and to secure the turnover,
• Material in stock should be checked for deviations with an adequate frequency,
• Expired products should be handled in the same way as defective products.
5.5.3 Check at the workstation
The material should be checked for:
The specific environmental conditions that affect the output of the special process should be
qualified according to clause 5.1.3.
• air currents,
• air quality,
• cleanliness,
• contamination sources,
• electrostatic discharge,
• humidity,
• illumination,
• magnetic fields,
• noise,
• radiation,
• temperature and temperature gradients,
• vibration,
• etc.
A suitable operational range should be established for the entire special process (before, during and
after execution). Means should be provided to control the environmental conditions within the
established range based on risk assessment.
Environmental conditions that are critical (see clause 5.1.2) to the special process output should be
traceable, so that affected products can be identified in case of nonconformity.
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