SP-GL-SG-1011 Appearance Requirements
SP-GL-SG-1011 Appearance Requirements
SP-GL-SG-1011 Appearance Requirements
1.0 GENERAL
This standard defines the criteria to be used by Visteon plants and their suppliers to establish color
measurement procedures in their quality plans to ensure texturing, color and gloss coordination for
interior trim components. This standard supports all OEM requirements, however may be modified based
on individual OEM requirements.
This standard is for use in supplying interior trim components to Visteon Corporation and its OEM
customers.
This standard shall be applied to components identified as designated appearance items by the individual
OEM’s and represents the minimum requirements for Visteon Corporation. Additional requirements may
be required by various customers.
The primary match criteria is visual for Visteon and all of its OEM’s.
Tristimulus values and gloss readings must be logged by the supplier, using the supplier’s equipment. If
master specimen values are present on the label, differences must be noted between these and the
actual read values for correlation.
Color masters will be provided by Visteon Corporation as available or can be obtained directly from the
OEM.
Master specimens should always be cared for in a proper manner to best preserve them (i.e., retained in
slip-covers [polypropylene master plaques], handled only by the edges and never touched on the viewing
surface). It is advised that cloth-gloves be worn to protect master specimens.
For mechanical (numeric) measurement of color, Visteon specifies that suppliers use the CIELab and
CMC color measurement scales. Spectrophotometric measurements taken using these scales are
effective tools for monitoring acceptable color position, when coupled with visual evaluations.
A 60-degree geometry is required for all gloss measurements, unless otherwise specified.
Pre-grain surface approval parts may be run in proto-type presses. All parts submitted for appearance
PPAP must be run from the home line, produced from production tooling and processes, must have
established capability and have Post-Grain approval.
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SP-GL-SG-1011 Supplier Texture, Color, and Gloss Requirements for Appearance Approval Parts
Rev. 09-Aug-2011
It is expected that one AAR be used for each color per sub-component and/or end-item, unless otherwise
directed by Visteon Interior Craftsmanship.
All appearance PPAP color and gloss submissions require the completed materials testing as determined
by Visteon PD engineering and the Specific OEM.
All Appearance PPAP requirements must be complete by the OEM first saleable build.
2.1 Sample Preparation for Appearance PPAP ***
The Appearance PPAP process begins with the Pre-Texture Approval through Post-Texture Approval
processes (if applicable), followed by the Material, Color and Gloss submission. If texture is not part of
the tooling requirement for the component (i.e. wrapped components or negative vac form), then
submission can begin with the Material, Color, and Gloss Evaluation section of the AAR. Prototype tools
do not require AAR submission, unless released for a Production Build as a temporary tool.
Requirements are as follows:
For appearance PPAP submissions, supplier must do the following: visually assess and measure a
minimum of three (3) production parts (per color) to the specified OEM master specimen; document on
the AAR, Tristimulus measurement and average gloss reading. Complete the required Paint/Color
information with applicable lot number in the box provided. In addition, the following information to certify
the submission, must be identified:
A minimum of three (3) samples are required for AAR submissions, per color. One to be retained by the
OEM, one to be retained by Visteon and the other(s) retained by the supplier for reference.
If a component is rejected, the same AAR form is to be used for each subsequent resubmission.
This sequential, three-step signature process authorizes that the components have been verified for
surface integrity, engineering dimensional approval, and texture mapping. Parts submitted for Pre-
Texture evaluation are expected to be run off of production tools. Three (3) samples per cavity are
needed. Authorization signatures dated by the individuals designated as responsible for the following
groups must appear on the AAR form.
A. Engineering Pre-Texture Surface Approval: - OEM Release engineer responsible for dimensional
approval.
B. Design Studio Pre-Texture Surface Approval: - OEM Design Studio representative reviews and
approves the component for surface integrity.
C. Mastering Studio Pre-Texture Orientation: - OEM Grain Specialist ensures component is marked-up
with type of texture, direction of texture, wash-out areas, texture-free locations, etc. Note:
Geometric textures may require additional steps to ensure consistency.
D. Ornamentation and Graphics: - OEM Studio representative has responsibility to check boxes
relative to component requirements and initial and date.
SP-GL-SG-1011 Supplier Texture, Color, and Gloss Requirements for Appearance Approval Parts
Rev. 09-Aug-2011
2.1.2 Post-Texture Approval Process:
This process authorizes that the textured component has met the desired texture intent. A minimum of
two (2) parts per cavity are needed. An authorization signature dated by the individual designated as
responsible for the following group must appear on the AAR form.
A. Design Studio Post-Texture Surface Approval (Applicable only if conditional box was checked
during initial Design Studio Pre-Texture Surface Approval review)
B. Mastering Studio Post-Texture Approval: - OEM Grain Specialist visually checks textured
component for possible texture flaws or inconsistencies.
An assessment for gloss shall be performed at this point to evaluate whether the newly textured surface
gloss of the component is within an acceptable range. If the component is deemed unacceptable, an
adjustment will be necessary to either increase or decrease the gloss of the production tool, depending
upon the visual and/or mechanical results of the component.
2.1.3 Ornamentation, Graphics, Surface Tactility and Special Properties (if applicable):
If components are noted during Pre-Texture process, as requiring approval for Ornamentation and
Graphics, components must be reviewed for these properties by the OEM. Components are visually
checked for graphic design intent and/or surface ‘feel’ and approved with signature and date.
Once the above processes have been followed and the respective signatures are in place, the supplier
can proceed with developing the Color and Gloss submission package as defined herein.
Samples submitted must be visually matched and numerically measured for color and gloss using the
OEM issued Master Specimen.
Two or more readings should be taken to ensure repeatability between measurements. The numerical
values of sample for DL*, Da*, Db*, DE (CIELab), and gloss must be documented in the appropriate
spaces on the AAR form.
Parts and paperwork submitted to Visteon Corporation Interior Craftsmanship or OEM Studio for final
AAR signature will be subject to visual inspection for acceptance. This assessment will consider the
following attributes.
- Part visually matches the OEM issued Master Specimen for color, gloss and surface texture.
- Part visually meets the desired appearance for harmony, considering it’s mating and/or surrounding
components.
- Part meets appearance quality (including, but not limited to: the absence of knit/flow lines,
sinks/voids, flash, proper nap direction and pattern consistency, etc.)
- The AAR document for the part is correctly completed with the required supplier provided
information. All Pre/Post Texture signatures are complete, all Material, Color and Gloss Evaluation
data noted in the appropriate spaces.
- Supporting documentation is present for sample submission, including; completed material testing
approval and first piece production run, if applicable.
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SP-GL-SG-1011 Supplier Texture, Color, and Gloss Requirements for Appearance Approval Parts
Rev. 09-Aug-2011
- Parts submitted for Appearance PPAP should be produced from a demonstrated capable run (as
required by individual OEM) and measured by the method specified in section 4.0 of this standard.
Documentation supporting this capability study must be made available upon request.
One of three (3) possible dispositions will be given for the submission. The dispositions are: Approval,
Interim Approval, or Rejection.
2.2.1 Approval
An approval disposition is indicated on the AAR form with a signature and date. The minimum required
two (2) submission samples will either be initialed and dated or affixed with a stick-on label. These
marked samples now become the “Production Part Standard.” One PPS must be supplied to the
appropriate Visteon Assembly Plant(s).
The supplier must validate (record) the numerical values of the Production Part Standard using their own
spectrophotometer for L*a*b* tristimulus data. In addition, the supplier must also validate (record) the
numerical values of the Production Part Standard using their own glossmeter. The readings and location
of the readings should be documented and stored for future use. The physical Production Part Standard
must be permanently identified and maintained/stored in a manner to best preserve them for the life of the
program.
An interim approval disposition is indicated on the AAR form means that the component does NOT meet
the criteria to grant a full appearance approval. The Interim Approval constitutes a temporary, conditional
approval generally authorized for a period of thirty (30) days. The following are examples of conditions
leading to an Interim Approval.
- The component is acceptable to the color master specimen, but needs to viewed at least once with its
surrounding/mating components.
- The appearance of the component is not visually acceptable to the color master specimen, however, it
is commercially acceptable.
- The component part is visually acceptable to the color master specimen, however, material testing is
incomplete or absent. This means material is unapproved for application and could result in failure.
The minimum required two (2) submission samples will either be initialed and dated or affixed with a stick-
on label, noting the undesired variation and the necessary color/gloss corrections needed for a full
approval. A resubmission date is required. An interim approval does not allow PPAP completion.
2.2.3 Rejection
A rejection disposition is indicated on the AAR. The minimum required two (2) sample submission parts
will either be initialed and dated or affixed with a stick-on label, noting the undesired variation and the
corrections needed to receive a full approval. A resubmission date is required. A rejection means that
the sample is not acceptable for PPAP, or production shipments.
SP-GL-SG-1011 Supplier Texture, Color, and Gloss Requirements for Appearance Approval Parts
Rev. 09-Aug-2011
3.1 Supplier
During production, an in-process inspection procedure must be followed and documented per the Control
Plan to ensure approved color requirements are met. Once the process is stabilized, the supplier must
perform a first piece color and gloss check, in order to validate the particular run of production material.
The supplier must do the following:
• Validate and record the visual color match of sample component by comparing it against the
Production Part Standard, under D65 Macbeth lighting.
• Validate and record the numeric color match data (L* a* b* and Ecmc) of the sample component
by comparing it against the Production Part Standard data, using the suppliers own
spectrophotometer.
• If applicable, validate and record the gloss data of the sample component by comparing it against
readings taken in the same location of the Production Part Standard, using the supplier’s own
glossmeter.
All information must be documented, maintained, and made available upon request.
The supplier must perform a thirty (30) piece color and gloss capability study (per color) from their First
Production Run. The thirty parts will be randomly selected and measured by the method specified in
section 4.0 of this standard. The numeric values (DL*, Da*, Db*, DECMC), gloss readings and visual
assessments of the thirty piece study must be recorded and made available upon request.
All shipments of received raw material with appearance requirements must be inspected prior to
acceptance for production. Method of inspection to verify conformance must include both visual and
mechanical techniques, and be acceptable under both criteria. Some materials may require processing to
adequately check color (i.e., mold plaques for plastic resins, spray-outs for paint). Appearance
verification of every shipment is mandatory and the results must be documented.
In-process control during production is the process to be used to monitor and maintain consistent
appearance during production. This process differs from the sample preparation for PPAP process in that
an Appearance approved AAR exists representing a Production Part Standard signed off by the OEM.
For this process, the Production Part Standard becomes the primary visual and numerical reference for
in-process monitoring. The Color Master now becomes the secondary reference. The Color Master
should be filed and used only when it is needed to establish the degree of variation (drift).
First piece approvals for color and gloss must be performed, data recorded, and statistically tracked.
Approvals must be based on visual and mechanical acceptance as compared to the Production Part
Standard (PPS), and be acceptable under both criteria. First piece approvals will be conducted at all start
ups, material changes, color changes, etc. If the delta values (L, a, b) are not within the tolerance
specified in Appendix A, the manufacturing plant must either adjust the color until is falls within the
accepted range or seek customer approval to ship (reference appropriate customer approval process to
ship nonconforming product). First piece inspection documentation must be retained and available for
review upon request (see Appendix B: First Piece Approval Record).
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SP-GL-SG-1011 Supplier Texture, Color, and Gloss Requirements for Appearance Approval Parts
Rev. 09-Aug-2011
Hourly floor checks can be performed visually against the retained first piece approval part.
The supplier production plant must perform inspections according to the method specified in section 4.0,
prior to determining disposition of parts suspected to be non-compliant for color and gloss. The supplier
is required to provide inspection capabilities upon request.
A final inspection or dock audit plan must include a formal check for color and gloss. Results of final
audits should be reviewed and compared to in-process documentation.
Visteon Corporation Supplier Quality Engineer shall at their discretion audit the supplier’s records or parts
to verify compliance. Launch Readiness Reviews (LRR) must include a review of equipment, systems,
and processes to ensure appearance capability.
The Visteon Corporation assembly plants can reject a part or assembly for appearance issues. Using the
Master Specimen, the observer must follow procedures as identified in section 4.0. In some instances it
may be necessary to use the Production Part Standard (PPS), in addition to the Master Specimen. The
suspect part or assembly, should be viewed outdoors under normal daylight conditions, unless the facility
contains the correct lighting equipment as described in section 4.2. If the suspect part resides within a
finished vehicle interior, the vehicle itself must be viewed outdoors under normal daylight conditions. Final
acceptance or rejection decisions will be based on a visual observation.
All production components must meet the following Tristimulus values when measured against the
Production Part Standard (PPS) to be considered acceptable for production.
• DL* ≤ 0.6
• Da* ≤ 0.3
• Db* ≤ 0.3
• DECMC (l:c = 2:1) Total Color Difference of ≤ 0.7 (absolute value)
• Tolerances assume no maximum approval conditions exist. If a maximum condition is present
the tolerance should be adjusted accordingly.
All production component gloss readings must not exceed the Production Part Standard readings and
must be within the tolerances noted, for the designated material types (see Appendix A). Parts with gloss
readings outside of these tolerances are subject to rejection.
All final acceptance decisions will include a visual comparison to the Production Part Standard.
SP-GL-SG-1011 Supplier Texture, Color, and Gloss Requirements for Appearance Approval Parts
Rev. 09-Aug-2011
Any changes to the manufacturing process that affect the appearance (color, gloss, texture, surface, etc.)
of the part must be requalified. Applicable changes include, but are not limited to: engineering changes,
tool moves, supplier resourcing, re-texturing of damaged tools, material changes, etc. Appearance
requalifications may also be requested following a Visteon or OEM Assembly Plant color audit when
components in production vehicles are identified as having drifted from the PPS for color and/or gloss.
A shift from the Production Part Standard can only be approved by the OEM and requires complete color
and gloss approval.
Supplier personnel determining color match must have documented proven capability through an industry
recognized color acuity examination. This examination should cover both color discrimination and color
blindness testing. The testing of color discrimination and color blindness must be performed annually and
demonstrate a superior score. Acceptable tests include Farnsworth-Munsell 100, American Society for
Color Control Acuity Test, HVC Color Vision Skill Test, and Ishahara Test for Color Blindness (refer to
ASTM E1499-94).
Supplier visual acceptance decisions must be performed under a controlled light source (i.e., Macbeth
Luminaries) and viewed under the following three (3) illuminants: Average North Sky Daylight (D65), Cool
White Fluorescent (wide band), and Horizon Daylight. This light source must be included in a
documented Preventative Maintenance program (see section 5.0). To perform accurate visual color
matching, the viewing environment must be setup and maintained to be consistent with the industry (refer
to SAE J361).
The observer should hold the appropriate appearance target (Master Specimen, Production Part
Standard, etc.) according to proper handling instructions. With Master Specimen or Production Part
Standard, orientate sample part in a side by side position, at a 90-degree angle, and to line of sight.
Observer should slowly rotate the top of the appropriate appearance target and sample (maintaining side
by side position) at the same rate away from yourself through the visible angle range (face-to-flop). The
face position is attained when the observed surface is nearly vertical to the observer, making the surface
nearly perpendicular to the line of sight. The flop position is attained by rotating the sample away from
the observer and down 90 degrees from the face position.
When visually comparing a sample to the appropriate appearance target, always reverse them left to right
and top to bottom to observe any effects on color due to placement of materials position relative to one
another.
When viewing plastic textured materials, observer should align texture of appropriate appearance target
and sample part in same direction.
When viewing textile materials, the appropriate appearance target and sample should be viewed looking
into the nap with the two touching each other. Flat fabrics should be viewed with the machine direction
yarns running up and down.
The industry standard for lighting and viewing conditions for the visual analysis of parts is as follows.
SP-GL-SG-1011 Supplier Texture, Color, and Gloss Requirements for Appearance Approval Parts
Rev. 09-Aug-2011
Surround: Munsell N6/N7.5 Neutral Gray
Perch Stand: Napped Knit Fabric/ Munsell 0.5/1.5 Black (Chrysler Only)
Napped Knit Cloth/ Munsell N6/N7.5 Neutral Gray
To permit effective color communication and consistency during visual color evaluation the following color
communication terminology should be used.
The above terminology will be used to describe visual color variation as it pertains to the appropriate
appearance target.
Although visual assessment takes precedence over mechanical (instrumental) assessment, color and
gloss measurement instrumentation is available that can assist in making decisions and documenting
results. Instruments are tools that improve the effectiveness and efficiency of color and gloss control.
Visteon Corporation requires that the Supplier must have a spectrophotometer, a glossmeter, and an
accredited lighting environment at their facility to ensure part quality and conformance to this standard. It
is required that a Gage Repeatability and Reproducibility (GR&R) study be performed yielding acceptable
results and that this equipment be covered under a documented Preventative Maintenance plan (refer to
section 5.0). Suppliers who lack in-house capability of performing color difference measurement as
specified by this standard cannot be considered for business requiring color matching.
4.2.1 Spectrophotometer
4.2.2 Glossmeter
Visteon Corporation uses BYK-Gardner Micro Gloss glossmeters for gloss measurement assessment. All
glossmeters must be capable of producing data using 60-degree geometry.
SP-GL-SG-1011 Supplier Texture, Color, and Gloss Requirements for Appearance Approval Parts
Rev. 09-Aug-2011
A Preventative Maintenance (PM) plan must exist for all equipment and tooling. All plans, schedules,
frequencies, and instructions must be documented and evidenced under the associated element
assigned to the latest Control Plan. Refer to SAE J361 for Minimum acceptable PM schedule.
For plastic production tooling, gloss control is critical to the final appearance. As a result of daily
production, residual build up on tool surfaces can severely affect the visual gloss level and subsequent
color of the post-processed part. In order to prevent this undesirable condition, the PM plan for tooling
should include a method and frequency in which this effect is minimized and controlled. Existing methods
include, but are not limited to the following: glass beading, vapor honing, and dry-ice (C02) blasting.
6.0 DEFINITIONS
Appearance Approval Report (AAR): - A document submitted as part of the Production Part Approval
Process. Submission of a completed and approved Appearance Approval Report during PPAP is
required for all designated appearance items.
Average North Sky Daylight (D65): - Mathematical representation of average north sky daylight. Color
Temperature: 6500K. Uses include general evaluation of color, metamerism testing, providing visual
correlation with spectrophotometric instrumental readings, and conformance with European and
Japanese standards. Simulates average northern sky daylight.
Chroma: - An attribute of color used in the Munsell color system to indicate the degree of departure from
a gray of the same hue to a cleaner intensity. Correlates with the dimension of saturation.
Cool White Fluorescent (wide band): - Color Temperature 4150K. Illuminant representing the spectral
distribution of the radiation from a wide band fluorescent lamp.
Designated Appearance Item: - A part whose color, gloss or surface finish requirements are specified by
the OEM.
Launch Readiness Review (LRR). - Program used to verify that initial production shipments meet all
Visteon and OEM Engineering and Manufacturing Standards and Requirements. LRR is intended to
identify part problems and contain the parts at the supplier during first production shipments to ensure a
successful launch.
Gloss: - Angular selectivity of reflectance, involving surface-reflected light, responsible for the degree to
which reflected highlights or images of objects may be seen as superimposed on a surface [ASTM E284].
Gloss standards are defined with smooth, flat surfaces. Their use with textured surfaces may require a
visual comparison with a smooth specimen of the designated gloss level.
Glossmeter:: - An instrument used to measure the amount of gloss. These instruments measure the light
reflected at selected specular angles (geometries), such as 20, 60, and 85 degrees from the
perpendicular. Results obtained are dependent on instrument design, calibration, technique used, type of
samples, etc.
Hue: - The attribute of color used in the Munsell color system by which we distinguish red from green,
blue from yellow, etc.
Lot Number: - Identification, batch, or control number used to identify the colorized, pre-processed raw
material used to manufacture the submitted part.
Master Number: - An identification code assigned to a designated appearance item by the OEM.
SP-GL-SG-1011 Supplier Texture, Color, and Gloss Requirements for Appearance Approval Parts
Rev. 09-Aug-2011
Master Specimen: - A physical property whose color, gloss, surface texture or appearance conforms to
the specified appearance requirements.
Production Part Approval Process (PPAP): - The procedure used by suppliers for submission of
production parts for customer approval, as outlined in the PPAP Manual developed by the Automotive
Industries Action Group (AIAG).
Production Part Standard (PPS): - The fully approved part or assembly initialed and dated or labeled by
Visteon and the OEM that coincides with the final approved Appearance Approval Report (AAR) of the
same date. One PPS is retained by the Visteon Assembly plant and the other(s) retained by the supplier.
The PPS is the primary visual and numerical reference for in-process monitoring (refer to sections 2.2.1
and 3.1.3 for further detail).
Prototype tool: - A temporary, soft-tooled, non-production die, mold, or insert used to produce a limited
run of parts.
Total Color Difference: - Total color difference (Delta E) is a single number that expresses the magnitude
(size, degree, or amount) of a difference between two colors. The value tells nothing about the nature of
the color difference.
Tristimulus Values: - The amounts of three specified stimuli required to match a color.
Value: - An attribute of color used in the Munsell color system to indicate the lightness of a specimen
viewed in daylight, on a scale from 0 for the ideal black to 100 for ideal white, in steps that are visually
approximately equal in magnitude.
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SP-GL-SG-1011 Supplier Texture, Color, and Gloss Requirements for Appearance Approval Parts
Rev. 09-Aug-2011
APPENDIX A: GENERAL ACCEPTED GLOSS TOLERANCES ***
A Paint
Top Coat
Rolled Vinyl / Leather
Multifleck resins 0.6 unit spread
Similar and related materials -0.3 to +0.3 units
B Polypropylenes
ABS
TPO / TPE
Uncoated Vinyls
Cast / slush molding
Polyolefin resins 0.8 unit spread
Nylon -0.3 to +0.5 units
Elastomers
Similar and related materials
C Polycarbonate 1.0 unit spread
PC / ABS -0.5 to +0.5 units
Acetal
Similar and related materials
D Carpet / Fabric / Flocking These materials are not normally measured for
Similar and related materials gloss control.
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SP-GL-SG-1011 Supplier Texture, Color, and Gloss Requirements for Appearance Approval Parts
Rev. 09-Aug-2011
APPENDIX B: FIRST PIECE APPROVAL RECORD
AAR Comments:
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SP-GL-SG-1011 Supplier Texture, Color, and Gloss Requirements for Appearance Approval Parts
Rev. 09-Aug-2011
Document Owner: Rick Rippey
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SP-GL-SG-1011 Supplier Texture, Color, and Gloss Requirements for Appearance Approval Parts
Rev. 09-Aug-2011