Pass Through and Customer Interface Characteristic (CIC) Management in Automotive Manufacturing

🧭 Introduction

PTC and Customer Interface Characteristics (CICs) are product features that directly impact the customer’s assembly or manufacturing process. If these features are damaged or out of specification, they can cause significant issues at the OEM level. The PTC and CIC Management standard from organization defines the requirements for identifying, documenting, and controlling PTC and CICs. This guide integrates OEM expectations, industry standards (AIAG, VDA), and IATF 16949 to help suppliers implement a compliant and effective PTC and CIC management process.

🎯 Purpose

To ensure that all PTCs and CICs are:

• Identified and documented
• Controlled through PFMEA and Control Plans
• Inspected and verified at appropriate process steps
• Communicated visually and operationally to all relevant personnel

🌍 Scope

This standard applies to:

• All organization manufacturing and assembly sites
• All products (components and assemblies)
• All internal and external suppliers

👥 Roles & Responsibilities

Activity	Responsible	Support
Infrastructure & resources	General Manager	—
Define CIC management procedure	Plant Quality Manager	Cross-functional team
Identify CICs via cross-functional meetings	APQP Engineer	Program Team
Release drawings with CICs	Product Engineering	Quality, Manufacturing, Program Management
Document CICs in PFMEA and Control Plans	Process/Quality Engineer	Program Team
Ensure suppliers document CICs	Supplier Quality Development	Purchasing, Program Team
Plan incoming inspection of CICs	Plant Quality	Program Team
Include CICs in Standardized Work & JES	Team Leader/Supervisor	Manufacturing Engineer
Create visual aids and station identification	Quality Engineer	Core Team
Train operators on CIC inspection and customer impact	Supervisor/Team Leader	Quality Engineer
Create CIC Matrix	Quality Engineer	Core Team

📋 Core Requirements

✅ Documentation & Training

• A documented CIC management procedure must exist.
• Employees must be trained, with records maintained.

🧾 Identification & Control

• CICs must be identified using:
  • Customer drawings
  • Test garage assembly reviews
  • Customer process reviews
• CICs must be documented in:
  • PFMEA
  • Process Control Plan
  • Standardized Work Sheet
  • Job Element Sheet
  • Gage Check Sheets
  • Quality Alerts

🧪 Inspection & Verification

• Inspection method and frequency must be defined to prevent defects.
• CICs must be included in:
  • Incoming Inspection Plans
  • Standardized Work Instructions
• CICs must be error-proofed or detected where possible.

📌 Visual Communication Tools

🖼️ CIC Display

• Drawing with CICs highlighted
• Posted in shop floor area for operator reference

📊 CIC Matrix

Includes:

• Description of CIC
• Visual Aid ID
• Inspection method
• Station(s) where inspected

🧾 CIC Visual Aid

• Image and description of CIC in suppliers process
• Image and description of CIC’s impact on customer process

📍 CIC Identification Aid

• Highlights critical stations for:
  • Cycle time
  • Operator rotation
  • Training

📂 Record Keeping

• Maintain records per local plant procedures, including:
  • CIC Matrix
  • Visual aids
  • Inspection logs
  • Training records

📚 Definitions

Term	Definition
Customer Interface Characteristic (CIC)	Features that impact OEM assembly or performance
PFMEA	Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
Control Plan	Documented process control strategy
Standardized Work	Defined best method for performing tasks

✅ Summary

Implementing a robust Customer Interface Characteristic management system helps suppliers:

• Prevent customer assembly issues
• Improve product quality and traceability
• Meet global OEM and industry standards
• Support continuous improvement and operational discipline

📌 Beginner Tip: Think of CICs as your “customer handshake”—they’re the features your customer touches, sees, and depends on.

About the Author

KIMEC|Expert Group

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