Acceptable Quality Limit
Meaning ~ Threshold defining the maximum percentage of nonconforming items in a batch that a buyer accepts as statistically representative of a quality level.
Sorting Operation
Meaning
Remediation processes where every unit in a production lot is individually checked to separate acceptable items from non-conforming ones. A sorting operation becomes necessary when a sample fails and the shipment must be recovered. It aims to achieve a zero-defect output for the specific batch being processed.
Recovery Protocol
The workflow requires a clear definition of the faults that the team must identify. During a sorting operation, units are physically moved from the original containers into new, verified boxes.
Yield Preservation
Performing this task allows a buyer to salvage useable components from a batch that would otherwise be scrapped. The results of the sorting operation show the exact percentage of the lot that meets the specifications. This data is used to calculate the final payment to the supplier and the cost of the rework.
Batch Segregation
Quarantining the lot in a separate area is the first step in the process to prevent accidental shipping. The sorting operation requires a dedicated space with proper lighting and inspection tools. Once the check is complete, the verified units are labeled with a new batch code to distinguish them from the original shipment.
This physical separation is a part of maintaining the integrity of the supply chain.