This article is the result of a conversation with Luís Gomes, an engineer who is the Director of ETMA’s Quality Department, where we delved into the topic of MSA – Measurement System Analysis – and its importance for industrial excellence. Throughout this discussion, the strategic vision with which this tool is applied at ETMA became clear: more than just meeting standards, it is about methodically and rigorously ensuring that each part produced meets the highest quality standards.
In the industrial universe, more than just a technical detail, measuring well is a commitment to quality. And at ETMA, this commitment takes concrete form through the rigorous application of MSA, one of the core tools in terms of Quality, essential for validating the systems we use to measure parts and processes. It is not just about verifying that a certain equipment is calibrated, but also about ensuring that the entire measurement system is appropriate, reliable and consistent for the tolerances and dimensions concerned.
WHY APPLY MSA?
Whenever we measure, there is room for error. MSA allows us to quantify this error and assess whether it falls within acceptable limits for the intended application. A poorly validated measurement system can introduce “noise” and distort results, which can be critical, for example, in statistical process control (SPC) studies. Without a well-executed MSA, we could be interpreting process variations that are actually failures in the instrument itself.
At ETMA, MSA is more than a regulatory requirement. It is a strategic practice that differentiates us. It is applied to all parts, in every sector, from turning to manual selection. It is implemented right from the launch phase of new projects, and is also periodically reviewed according to an internal calendar that ensures the maintenance of our measurement systems.
PRACTICAL BENEFITS: BOTH FOR US AND OUR CLIENTS
For ETMA, MSA allows us to:
- Choose the right equipment for each measurement;
- Reduce the risk of non-conformities;
- Optimise quality control over time;
- Ensure that operators measure consistently.
For our customers, MSA means trust:
- The part we deliver as “compliant” has passed through a validated system;
- There is an effective reduction in the risk of non-conforming parts;
- Controls are reliable, even when performed by different personnel.
MORE THAN JUST INSTRUMENTS: THE METHOD ALSO MATTERS
At ETMA, we do not just analyse instruments. We measure systems. This includes the equipment, but also the method and the operators. When an MSA indicates a problem, it may not be necessary to replace the device. Sometimes, creating clear work instructions on how to measure the part, where to position it and which points to observe is essential.
This is where repeatability and reproducibility (RR) studies come in, ensuring that everyone measures the same way, with the same results. In manual selection, for example, we apply MSA by attributes to validate that operators correctly distinguish good parts from bad ones.
A TOOL THAT SUPPORTS OTHERS
MSA is, in a way, the sibling of SPC. It makes no sense to monitor a process without first ensuring that we are measuring it correctly. Only with a validated measurement system can we truly trust the data obtained and draw reliable conclusions about the process.
If you would like to learn more about how ETMA uses the Statistical Process Control (SPC) to anticipate failures and make data-driven decisions, we recommend reading our previous article:
SPC and Statistical Process Control: how we use data to prevent failures
Furthermore, MSA is covered by international automotive quality standards (IATF 16949, VDA 2), making it a requirement for operating in this sector. ETMA complies, and demonstrates its compliance, with updated studies and documented practices.
PROVEN QUALITY
At ETMA, we do not reinvent the wheel. But we do what needs to be done well. And we do more than the minimum required. MSA is one of those tools that, when applied correctly, increases productivity, improves efficiency, and reduces avoidable errors. And above all, it gives us and our clients the peace of mind of knowing we are measuring correctly to produce better.