Method for controlling a production process for producing components

A method for controlling a production process for components produced by sintering technology in which a material in powder form is provided, pressed to form a green compact using a pressing apparatus, and subsequently sintered using a sintering furnace, wherein at least the components or a manufacturing device used for producing the components have a multiplicity of metrologically detectable features, at least one feature being defined as a main feature of the components or the manufacturing device used for producing the components and at least one further feature being defined as a secondary feature of the components or the manufacturing device used for producing the components;

• the method having at least the following steps:
• a) establishing a test plan for detecting at least one main feature and at least one secondary feature by tests, the test plan defining that the at least one main feature is to be measured with a first test frequency and defining that the at least one secondary feature is to be measured with a second test frequency;
• wherein the test plan further defining at least one stability criterion for the at least one main feature and the at least one secondary feature;
• wherein the stability criterion is established as a defined deviation from a setpoint value for the respective feature;
• b) producing the components using sintering technology and in parallel carrying out the test plan in order to generate test results, only the at least one main feature being tested with the first test frequency;
• c) evaluating the test results which have been determined;
• and, upon at least one test result for the at least one main feature violating the stability criterion,
• d) continuing to carry out the test plan, the at least one secondary feature at least also being tested;
• wherein, upon the stability criterion of the at least one main feature being violated this is indicative of a process instability of the production process using sintering technology, and then the at least one secondary feature is tested, wherein in parallel, a corrective intervention by correcting an operation of the pressing apparatus and/or the sintering furnace is carried out in order to restore the process stability to prevent a possible impending noncompliance with a tolerance beyond which point the component is defective;
• wherein, if the test results satisfy the stability criterion over a defined period of time or over a particular number of random samples or components, then the test frequency for at least one secondary feature is reduced;
• wherein the second test frequency is lower than the first test frequency.