JOB AUDIT FOR

CURE
20a.1 Customer Requirements

20a.1.1Complete the following and then check the supplier’s information

(i.e., technique sheets, travelers) against the purchasing requirements.

a. Job Identity/Number:
• b. Part Description:
• c. Part Number:
• d. Customer(s):
• e. Prime Contractor(s):
• f. Part Purchase Order/Revision Level:
• g. Specification/Revision Level (where applicable):
20a.2 General
20a.2.1Are curing parameters (e.g heating and cooling ramp rates
and holds, pressure, vacuum, time, etc) monitored, recorded and
verified per requirements?

• YES/ NO
• Depending on the cure method - temperature, pressure, vacuum, and time for each
cure cycle are monitored. These are typically monitored with a computer, strip
recorder, or chart recorder. If not automatically recorded, values may be recorded by
an operator. The customer’s specification will define the cure profile. This may
include heat up rates, dwell temperatures and times, cool down rates, pressures, and
vacuum. Ensure the parts cure record complies with the customer’s specification. In
addition, ensure that intervals for recording are per Customer specifications. Finally,
ensure that the cure record is inspected by Quality, or an approved delegate.
20a.2.2 Is the cure record labeled with all applicable parameters
(e.g. temperature, time, vacuum and pressure) and retained as
part of the manufacturing record?

• YES/ NO
• Ensure that the cure charts are inspected and that heat up rates, cool down rates,
hold times and temperatures, and vacuum and pressure during cure comply with
Customer specifications. Also, ensure that traceability information to a particular job
including time and date, facility, equipment identification and any part or serial
numbers are recorded on the cure chart and on the production
work order.
• Note: it is likely that multiple Customers will have different cure
cycles for similar processes. Consult each Customer’s specification
to ensure compliance to cure cycle requirements.
20a.2.3 Are minimum temperature requirements adhered to prior
to removing parts from the autoclave?

• YES /NO
• Parts have to remain in a mold and removed at a temperature low enough to ensure
that there is no twisting or distortion which may damage the part upon rapid cooling.
Typically, this temperature is approximately 130-140 degrees Fahrenheit (54.4-60.0
degrees Celsius).
20a.2.4 Are all bagging materials removed in a manner to prevent
damage to the part?

• YES/ NO
• De-bagging procedures should use rubber or plastic shop aids to assist with the
removal of a part. These may include wedges or chisels used to pry the part from the
mold.
20a.2.5 Is the part removed from the tool/mold in a manner to
prevent damage to the part?

• YES/ NO
• Tools can be used to assist in removing the part, provided the tools shall not damage
the part or the mold tool.
20a.2.6 Are process control panels processed in accordance with
customer requirements?

• YES/ NO
• Process control panels are generic test panels which are put into an autoclave or oven load
of parts for Quality Control purposes and to ensure that curing has occurred. In such cases,
it is important to ensure that the same lot of materials exposed to the same layup room
conditions with the same out times and shelf lives are used. The test panels should be laid up
in the same clean room at the time the production parts are laid up. The most valid lay up
of test panels would have the same technician laying up the production parts laying up the
test panels in parallel with the layup of the production parts. The parts should be cured at
the same time. The cure cycle should be verified for both the production parts and the test
panels. A procedure for testing the test panels in real time must be established to facilitate
production and minimize risk.
• Risk is established in the cases where production further process parts before the process
control test results are in. Some process control test panels consist of ply extensions
connected to the original part being laid up and cured. In such cases, lay up plies are
extended to beyond the trim line to form a test panel which extends outside the cured part
trim line. The test panel is then machined off after cure and tested. Statistical values are
maintained and limits for pass/fail criteria are established.
20a.2.7 Is out time for time and temperature sensitive material
verified after cure to ensure it has not been exceeded?

• YES/ NO
• Out time is typically defined as the time the material sees from the time it is removed
from the freezer, until the cure begins. Some facilities allow for significant time for a part
to sit in a cure staging area before the actual cure occurs. This can add significant
time to the accumulated out time and may affect gel and flow properties of the
materials in the layup. Consult the applicable customer process specification for
allowances. After the cure has occurred, the work instructions shall have an inspection
step to verify out time. Ensure that the inspection of out time is performed, and that the
calculation of out time is correct.
20a.2.8 Is the curing of parts performed in approved equipment
per customer requirements?

• YES/ NO
• Some customer process specifications require the ovens, autoclaves, heat cure
presses, etc. be approved by the Customer. If customer approval is required, the
supplier shall provide evidence. This could be a listing of the equipment in a customer’s
Qualified Processor List, or an approval memo. For cure sections this will apply for post
cure.
20b. JOB AUDIT FOR CURE – Oven
20b.1 Customer Requirements
20b.1.1Complete the following and then check the supplier’s
information (i.e., technique sheets, travelers) against the
purchasing requirements.

• a. Job Identity/Number:
• b. Part Description:
• c. Part Number:
• d. Customer(s):
• e. Prime Contractor(s):
• f. Part Purchase Order/Revision Level:
• g. Specification/Revision Level (where applicable):
20b.2 General
20b.2.1 Are curing parameters (e.g. heating and cooling ramp
rates and holds, vacuum, time, etc) monitored, recorded and
verified per requirements?

• YES/ NO
• See also paragraph 20a.2.1.
20b.2.2 Is the cure record labeled with all applicable parameters
(e.g temperature, time, vacuum) and retained as part of the
manufacturing record?

• YES/ NO
• See also paragraph 20a.2.1.
20b.2.3 Are minimum temperature requirements adhered to prior
to removing parts from the oven?

• YES/ NO
• See also paragraph 20a.2.1.
20b.2.4 Are all bagging materials removed in a manner to prevent
damage to the part?

• YES /NO
• See also paragraph 20a.2.1.