Engineering Change Notice ECN - Needed for subassembly Supplier change ?

[umatrix]

Hello eng-tips,
We (Umatrix R US) manufacture and sell an item (shown below) that has two parts , part 1 we make, part 2 we get from a supplier. If either part changes , i.e., fit, form or function, we file an ECN. Pretty much no brainer for that.

What about if the supplier (Motors Plus) that we source part 2 from changes suppliers for components within part 2. Meaning they get the washer and shaft from a new sub-supplier. Noting is changing in terms of the final assembly that we purchase, it is still made to the same print. Do we still need an ECN ?

 

[dik]

I would suggest that if it was a critical part of the assembly that you would... also if the component has specific requirements... like hardness/softness, etc.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

 

[BrianPetersen]

Probably varies depending upon what industry you are working within - and thus, customer specs.

In the automotive industry, the concern is that a switch to a different supplier means that its manufacturing process may no longer be PPAPed.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Production_part_approval_process

The supplier switch might not be an engineering change but it is a process change, and may need the PPAP re-done.

 

[hydtools]

If the engineering record does not specify the supplier or suppliers, then no.
Your procurement documents should note the supplier change for traceability.

Ted

 

[drawoh]

umatrix and all,

My experience is that document control terms like ECR, ECO and ECN might not mean what you think they do. Your company has a process and it applies labels to stuff. You need to store documents in a vault. You need to track problems and changes. The actual forms and process can vary by a lot.

The general rule of thumb is that if you change form, fit and/or function, your part gets a new part number. If the change does not affect form, fit and/or function, it can keep its old number.

Do you have a specification control for your purchased part that clearly defines its functionality?

--
JHG

 

[IRstuff]

The caveat is that if your supplier changes the part number, you'll have to make a document revision, regardless

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[mfgenggear]

yes the main issue is receiving inspection. if the part# changes then then they will reject it. chicken tracks of what actual part # it is, if the part# did not change then
no big deal if fit form or function has not changed.

 

[umatrix]

Thank you everyone.

I ended up releasing the engineering change notice as a running change mainly to serve as record keeping and a notice for procurement as mentioned by hydtools.