IPM ensures quality optimization at Daimler AG in Hamburg for quality optimization in the manufacturing process The new quality class The IPM solution for recording process data from axle assembly provides Daimler AG at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Hamburg with all the important information for quality planning and assurance. The software is a strategic component of a product life cycle file. The Mercedes-Benz plant in Hamburg manufactures axles, steering columns and system elements for passenger cars in state-of-theart production areas. One focus is on the production of rear and front axles for the C-Class, smart and other model series. More than one million rear and front axles are produced here on the plant site every year. In order to make comprehensive basic data from the production process available via the IT network for the purposes of quality assurance, the Hamburg plant and the Stuttgart-Untertürkheim plant both installed the IPM software from CSP GmbH & Co. KG from Großköllnbach. IPM (the acronym stands for "Integrated Process Data Management") collects process data from any connected plant and presents it in meaningful reports, statistics and graphics.

Conversion of existing systems Previously, a file-based system was used to vehicles, and not just for reasons of product li- record process data. This was far from being tially stored in IPM for a period of six months, able to meet all the requirements of production and quality management at Daimler. Instead of screwdriving sequences, the system could only provide the measured end values ability. These values from production are iniafter which the data are archived long-term in the product life cycle files (= PLA). Overall, the process data is stored for several decades. for statistical evaluation....

plant can access IPM via the network. In addi- Their connection to IPM is required by definition tion to the plant engineers, the foremen, quality in the specifications and the required inter- assurance staff, process planners and devel- faces are described precisely. Thus, new plants opment staff are among the users who benefit are connected to IPM without exception in the from the data and reports provided by IPM in sense of the strategic product life cycle file and their daily work. supply the desired production data to the software. Strategic decision "Quality assurance is the highest asset...