What (e.g., Zinc, Decorative Chrome, Electroless Nickel) is your facility looking to assess?
Most major automotive OEMs (such as General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis) mandate CQI-11 compliance for any supplier providing plated components.
Process integrity depends heavily on how parts are treated before and after plating. This part of the assessment checks chemical storage, rack maintenance, loading configurations, and containment procedures for non-conforming materials. 3. Equipment and Facility Infrastructure aiag cqi11 pdf exclusive
The CQI-11 "Special Process: Plating System Assessment" was developed by the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), a globally recognized non-profit organization founded in 1982 by the "Big Three" U.S. automakers (General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler). Released in collaboration with industry experts, its primary goal is to help suppliers develop a robust plating management system focused on .
How raw parts are received and verified. What (e
The CQI-11 assessment is designed to be comprehensive. It is divided into several key sections that auditors must scrutinize:
Do you need assistance mapping your protocols? Share public link This part of the assessment checks chemical storage,
Clearly defined loading and unloading parameters to avoid mechanical damage.
The exact requirements of a CQI-11 audit shift depending on the specific plating technology utilized. The standard categorizes these into dedicated Process Tables. Process Table Plating Type / Category Key Control Variables Zinc / Zinc Alloy Plating Current density, pH, brightener levels, bath temperature. Table B Mechanical Plating Media size, impact chemicals, zinc powder feed rate. Table C Decorative Plating (Copper, Nickel, Chrome) Multi-layer thickness, auxiliary anodes, agitation rates. Table D Hard Chrome & Electroless Nickel Deposition rate, stabilizer concentration, hardness matrix. Table E Surface Conditioning / Stripping Acid concentrations, inhibition levels, rinse water purity. Preparing for the Audit: A Step-by-Step Checklist
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes. Professionals should acquire the official AIAG CQI-11 PDF document directly from AIAG to ensure they have the most current and legally distributed technical data.