ABOUT LV SWISS
LV Swiss, located in rural LaVerkin, Utah, is a Certified As9100D, ISO 9001:2015, and ITAR registered high-quality precision CNC machining, milling, and turning manufacturer for simple to very complex high tolerances. They can produce down to a tolerance as small as +/- 0.0002 inches. You can find their products in small assemblies, electrical components, or anywhere precision manufacturing is used.
THE CHALLENGE:
LV Swiss sells to automotive and aerospace companies that expect a Gauge Repeatability and Reproducability (Gauge R&R) to be completed regularly. Repeatability and Reproducability are two important factors that show how capable you are at measuring specifications; Gauge R&R is a statistical tool that measures the amount of variation in the measurement system arising from the measurement device and the people taking the measurement. LV Swiss wanted to standardize their measurement evaluation process to ensure they were maintaining best practices and meeting customer expectations. Without a standardized measurement process, a company cannot rely on the data they are collecting. If you cannot repeat or reproduce measurements your data will never be reliable.
MEP CENTER’s ROLE:
The University of Utah Manufacturing Extension Partnership (UUMEP) Center conducted a two-day, hands-on training course around measurement system evaluations, also known as gauge repeatability and reproducibility. UUMEP worked with LV Swiss to customize the course curriculum, identify practical examples, and develop a future state for their data collection. Their quality team now follows a standardized process for assessing their measurement systems.The training was particularly beneficial to LV Swiss because it allowed them to continue their daily operations and rely on outside expertise to broaden their organizations knowledge. They were also able to leverage and implement the industry best practices shared by the MEP.
Results:
- $230,000 annual cost savings due to improved productivity
- Gauge R&R Process training paves way for new standard work processes
