Quality Assurance and Inspection

Course Description

ETI1701C — Quality Assurance and Inspection is a college-credit, integrated lecture-and-laboratory course in Florida's Engineering Technology A.S. degree programs. The course covers quality systems, statistical process control (SPC), inspection methods, measurement systems analysis, and quality management practices used in modern manufacturing. Topics include quality philosophy and history (Deming, Juran, Crosby); ISO 9001 quality management systems; AS9100 (aerospace QMS); statistical methods for process control; precision measurement and metrology; gage R&R; first article inspection; and root cause analysis.

This course is offered at Florida public colleges with Engineering Technology A.S. programs, including Polk State College, Eastern Florida State College, Daytona State College, St. Petersburg College, Hillsborough Community College, and other institutions serving Florida's manufacturing industry.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of ETI1701C, students will be able to:

• Describe quality management philosophy and history: contributions of Deming, Juran, Crosby, Ishikawa; PDCA cycle; total quality management (TQM); Six Sigma; lean.
• Apply principles of quality management systems: ISO 9001 framework; AS9100 (aerospace); ISO 13485 (medical devices); IATF 16949 (automotive); the elements of a quality management system.
• Apply statistical process control (SPC): control chart construction (X-bar and R, X-bar and S, individuals, p, c, np, u); chart interpretation; out-of-control signals; process capability indices (Cp, Cpk).
• Apply precision measurement and metrology: dimensional measurement; coordinate measuring machines (CMM); optical measurement; surface finish measurement; calibration concepts; traceability.
• Apply measurement systems analysis (MSA): gage R&R; bias and linearity studies; measurement uncertainty.
• Apply inspection methods: first article inspection (FAI); incoming inspection; in-process inspection; final inspection; sampling inspection (ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 attribute sampling, Z1.9 variables sampling).
• Apply root cause analysis tools: 5 whys; Ishikawa (fishbone) diagrams; Pareto analysis; failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA).
• Apply geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T): ANSI/ASME Y14.5 fundamentals; form, orientation, location, and runout controls.
• Apply quality documentation: nonconformance reports (NCR); corrective action requests (CAR); quality records; audit documentation.

Optional Outcomes

• Apply introductory Six Sigma methodology (DMAIC).
• Pursue industry quality certifications: ASQ Certified Quality Inspector (CQI); ASQ Certified Six Sigma Yellow Belt or Green Belt.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Quality Philosophy: History; Deming's 14 points; Juran's quality trilogy; Crosby's zero defects; PDCA cycle; cost of quality.
• Quality Management Systems: ISO 9001:2015; AS9100 Rev D (aerospace QMS derived from ISO 9001 with aerospace additions); ISO 13485 (medical); IATF 16949 (automotive); document control; management review; internal audit.
• Statistical Process Control: Variation (common cause vs. special cause); control charts for variables (X-bar and R, X-bar and S, individuals); control charts for attributes (p, np, c, u); Western Electric rules for chart interpretation; process capability (Cp, Cpk, Pp, Ppk).
• Precision Measurement: Dimensional metrology (calipers, micrometers, height gauges); CMMs; optical comparators; surface roughness measurement (Ra, Rz); calibration intervals; metrology traceability to NIST.
• Measurement Systems Analysis: Gage R&R (gage repeatability and reproducibility); bias studies; linearity; stability; measurement uncertainty.
• Inspection Methods: First Article Inspection (FAI per AS9102); incoming, in-process, final inspection; sampling per ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 (attribute) and Z1.9 (variables).
• Problem Solving: 5 whys; fishbone (Ishikawa) diagrams; Pareto analysis; FMEA (design FMEA, process FMEA); 8D problem solving.
• GD&T: ANSI/ASME Y14.5; datums and datum reference frames; form (flatness, straightness, circularity, cylindricity); orientation (perpendicularity, parallelism, angularity); location (position, concentricity); runout (circular, total).
• Documentation: Nonconformance report; corrective action and preventive action (CAPA); quality records; audit reports.

Resources & Tools

• Industry texts: Donna Summers Quality (Pearson); Goetsch and Davis Quality Management (Pearson); Montgomery Introduction to Statistical Quality Control
• Standards: ISO 9001:2015; AS9100 Rev D; ANSI/ASME Y14.5 (GD&T); ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 and Z1.9 (sampling); AS9102 (FAI)
• Software: Minitab (statistical analysis); ASQ resources
• Lab equipment: precision measurement instruments; calibration equipment

Career Pathways

ETI1701C supports careers in Florida's quality assurance workforce:

• Quality Inspector / Quality Technician at Florida manufacturers across aerospace, defense, medical devices, automotive, and consumer goods.
• Quality Engineer with continued bachelor's degree (B.S. Industrial Engineering, B.S. Quality Engineering).
• SPC Coordinator at manufacturing facilities.
• Calibration Technician at calibration labs and large manufacturers.
• Quality Auditor for ISO 9001/AS9100 internal audits or third-party certification bodies.

Special Information

Course Format

Typically 3 credits, 60 contact hours integrated lecture and laboratory.

Industry Certifications

Coursework supports preparation for ASQ industry credentials: Certified Quality Inspector (CQI); Certified Quality Technician (CQT); Certified Six Sigma Yellow Belt; with continued experience Certified Six Sigma Green Belt and Certified Quality Engineer (CQE).

Florida Industry Demand

Florida's substantial aerospace, defense, medical device, and food/beverage manufacturing industries create strong demand for quality professionals.