Product quality assurance

FOR THE MANY YEARS that statistical quality control procedures have been used by the Western Electric Company in its manufacturing processes, an audit has also been made which is, in reality, a statistical evaluation of the completed telephone product being shipped from the manufacturing plants. This audit is termed “quality assurance” in the Western Electric Company. Data thus gathered are used by the Bell Laboratories in putting together a picture of quality which serves to provide the customers (operating telephone companies) with evidence that the product they receive is up to the quality standard they require. On this basis, they find, in the main, that it is possible to eliminate acceptance inspection and the associated cost on products being delivered to them by the Western Electric Company. In addition, the quality audit furnishes Western Electric management a continuing picture of manufacturing quality and has been an important factor in achieving balance between quality of product and cost of manufacturing.