Quality plays an important role in an organization from automotive industry to become more efficient and effective in the global market. In this sector there are many requirements to problem solving process using standardized methodologies, according to international standards. 8D methodology has become very popular among manufacturers because it is effective to use. The aim of this paper is to apply the 8D methodology and to analyze its effectiveness. In order to apply the 8D methodology and to analyze its effectiveness a case study was conducted in a company from automotive industry. The results can be used by the management in continuous improvement as additional motivation for more effective use.

The paper presents a method based on the neural networks to study of working conditions, for the workstations from the manufacture industry. The neural networks were chosen because they excel in gathering difficult non-linear relationships between the inputs and outputs of a system. The neural network was simulated with Matlab. In this paper, we considered as relevant for the study of working conditions, 6 input parameters: temperature, humidity, noise, luminosity, load and frequency. The neural network designed for the study presented in this paper has 6 input neurons and 3 neurons in the output layer. Some experimental results obtained through simulations, are presented in the final part of the paper.

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In the present financial and economic context, the automotive industry faces new challenges posed by the current crisis. Companies have to ensure that the quality products are delivered on time and in a competitive price. One of the most recommended techniques of quality management by specific standards of the automotive industry for product development is Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP). Product Quality Planning is a structured method of defining and establishing the steps which are necessary to ensure the customer satisfaction from the product. The goal of this paper is to present the results of evaluation of awareness and knowledge the APQP techniques in Polish and Romanian automotive industry. The research method was a questionnaire with indicators to measure the awareness APQP tools. The research was conducted among design and technology professionals in Polish and Romanian automotive companies. On the basis of questionnaire it was performed a comparative analysis of results from Poland and Romania. In this way it is shown which methods and tools of APQP are better known and understood in each country. It was pointed out which tools are difficult to use or there is lack of knowledge about them. It was also shown which methods are most often used in the Polish and Romanian automotive companies. They were also summarized the similarities and differences in the knowledge and using the APQP in both countries.

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