A Quality Control Improvement Model That Takes into Account the Sustainability Concept and KPIs

Nowadays, in addition to quality aspects, social and environmental issues are also a source of competitive advantage, as a result of changing socio-economic conditions and observed trends. The purpose of the study was to create a model for improving quality control in line with the concept of sustainable development. The model captures the microfoundational approach, and allows identifying quality capability with the idea of sustainable development. The proposed method is based on analyses of the characteristic parameters of methods for detecting aluminum casting nonconformities using automated or semi-automated nondestructive methods. The interdisciplinary approach takes into account indicators from the leading areas of sustainable development (economic, environmental and social dimensions) to determine the gradation of detection methods. Verification of the model confirmed its usefulness in foundry companies. As a result, a ranking of the total efficiency of the analyzed detection methods used in the quality control of the studied product was obtained. This enabled the development of energy, emission and cost optimization of the inspection process while maintaining the expected level of quality. Further research directions will concern the expansion of the model with additional key indicators related to the concept of pure quality control and automation of the implementation of analysis.

Automated summary

Nowadays, social and environmental issues play a crucial role in gaining competitive advantage alongside quality aspects. This study aims to develop a sustainable model for quality control that incorporates the concept of sustainable development. The proposed method analyzes the characteristic parameters of automated or semi-automated nondestructive methods for detecting aluminum casting nonconformities. By considering indicators from various dimensions of sustainable development, the model enables the ranking of detection methods in terms of their efficiency. The model's usefulness was confirmed in foundry companies, providing opportunities for improving energy, emissions, and cost optimization while maintaining desired quality levels. Further research will focus on expanding the model with additional indicators related to pure quality control and automated analysis implementation.