Quality function deployment application on the development of 100Cr6 bearing tubes

In 2001, a Brazilian bearing seamless tubes producer started a 5-year-long research and development (R&D) program to upgrade the global quality of its 100Cr6 bearing tubes, nowadays becoming in line with the requirements of first class producers. This work describes the quality function deployment methodology applied to understand the customer's needs and how the acquired knowledge was used to promote changes and developments in the production process, to improve quality control procedures on the key processes, and to prioritize investments along the whole manufacturing line (steel plant, tube rolling mill, and cold drawn plant). Present customer audits and quality reports demonstrate the great success of this R&D program, increasing customer satisfaction and enabling the company to sustain and enter new markets. Copyright © 2010 by ASTM International.