Bob, "Critical process" refers to any process or procedure that can adversely affect the form, fit, function, reliability, or performance of the hardware over its expected life and service environment. For instance: If a vendor proposes to hand solder circuit boards (which is the process often used for small-lot production quantities of "special" hi-rel. / aerospace hardware), the entire soldering process could be considered "critical" due to the potential variability introduced by the process. Use of preheat would be considered a "critical" process. Lead bending, and staking for strain relief, too. Even cleaning could be viewed as "critical" if the proposed process has the potential to adversely affect the hardware by introduction of latent defects, or leave any residue that could sublimate and contaminate optical surfaces or the habitable compartment. Bob -----Original Message----- From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Crain, Bob Sent: Saturday, August 07, 2004 3:36 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [TN] Critical Processes (to Aerospace Folks) We recently had a meeting with customers where the issue of "critical processes" came up. This phrase is seen in most statements of work for both prime and sub contracts. Between the customers, quality, manufacturing and engineering, there were 3 or 4 ideas of what this aerospace concept means. I thought it would be interesting and helpful to see if TechNET aerospace folks have any kind of consensus on this. I of course am not supplying any further description or definition, since that is what we are looking for here. --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8e To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.5315 ----------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8e To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.5315 -----------------------------------------------------