CQI-23 is one of the automotive industry quality system assessment standards released by AIAG (Automotive Industry Action Group), focusing on mold development and management processes. Its full name is:
CQI-23: Special Process – Molding System Assessment (MSA)
Current version information
Standard name: CQI-23 Molding System Assessment
Version: 1st edition (published in 2013, still the current version)
Scope of application: Manufacturers and suppliers of plastic injection molding processes in automotive parts
Purpose of CQI-23
Systematic evaluation of the quality control capabilities of the plastic injection molding process
Reduce the risk of product failure caused by injection molding problems, such as dimensional deviation, bubbles, warpage, short shots, etc.
Ensure process stability and consistency in mold design, mold trial, and mass production
Meet OEM (such as GM, Ford, Stellantis) quality assurance requirements for special processes
Structure of CQI-23
CQI-23 mainly consists of the following parts:
Part Content
1 Management Responsibility Responsibility
2 Tooling Development System Assessment
3 Molding System Assessment
4 Appendix (Terms, Definitions, Templates, etc.)
Detailed Explanation of Each Section
1. Management Responsibility (Section A)
Requires the organization to establish a systematic quality management mechanism in the entire injection molding system:
Whether the responsibilities of the person in charge of injection molding process and mold management are established
Whether there is an internal audit system, it is recommended to evaluate CQI-23 once a year
Whether there are employee training and qualification certification records
Whether there is an improvement, corrective and preventive measures system (such as 8D, CAPA)
2. Tooling Development System Assessment
Applicable to mold development, design and management stages:
Control Point Requirement Example
Mold design input Whether to combine product drawings, material properties, DFMEA for design input
Mold review Whether the mold plan is subject to multi-party review (customer, technology, production)
Moldflow analysis (Moldflow) Whether CAE is used Analyze filling, cooling, pressure balance, etc.
Mold acceptance criteria Are there T0, T1, T2 test mold judgment criteria at each stage
Mold life control Is the mold life defined (such as 500k times) and regular maintenance performed?
3. Molding System Assessment
Applicable to quality control assessment of mass production process, covering:
✅ Process control point
Control element Description
Raw material management Material type, batch, drying time, moisture absorption control
Mold parameter control Mold temperature, opening and closing speed, clamping force, etc. are set and locked with standards
Injection molding parameter control Screw speed, holding time, cooling time, injection speed, etc. are recorded
First piece confirmation Mold cavity confirmation (size, appearance) before each batch of production
Process stability Are there upper and lower limit controls for machine parameters and alarm mechanisms
Defective product handling Defective parts isolation, rework with identification and process records
Preventive maintenance Injection molding machines and molds have regular cleaning, lubrication, and replacement parts plans
Traceability Each batch of products can be traced back to the machine, mold, operator, and material batch
✅ Defect control example
Whether to define appearance defect standards: bubbles, burns, weld lines, burrs, short shots, warpage, etc.
Whether to perform CPK statistical analysis on important dimensions (such as plug buckles, mounting holes)
Whether to use SPC tools to monitor key parameters
4. Appendix content
Common term explanation (such as short shot, sink mark, warp, flash)
Mold life maintenance plan template
Parameter setting record sheet template (temperature, pressure, speed, etc.)
Injection defect countermeasures guide (Defect Matrix)
Recommended process verification methods (such as DOE, Mold Validation Checklist)
✅ CQI-23 scoring mechanism
Same as other CQI series, the scoring levels are as follows:
Level Meaning
S (Satisfactory) Satisfactory, fully meets the requirements
M (Minor) Minor deviation, no impact on quality
MA (Major) Major deviation, affecting consistency or customer requirements
U (Unsatisfactory) Serious non-compliance, immediate rectification is required
Common control examples (applied to actual production)
Control items Control methods Frequency recommendations
Material drying Drying temperature/time records Each batch
First piece inspection Dimension, weight, appearance confirmation At the beginning of each mold
Mold maintenance Cleaning, replacement of limit parts Every 50,000 times or regularly
Process setting Parameter lock (if it cannot be changed at will) Confirm each batch
Defect inspection Visual + standard sample comparison Random inspection every hour or every pallet
Molding cycle Each cycle time, cooling time monitoring Every shift record
CQI-23 Scope of application
Applicable to manufacturing organizations involved in plastic injection molding processes in the automotive industry, including:
Interior parts (instrument panel, door panel, air outlet)
Connector (Connector Housing)
Lamp housing, headlight lens
Electronic control housing (control box, terminal block)
Precision plug-in molding parts (Insert Molding)
Thermoplastic parts such as turbine pipes and intake manifolds
Summary table
Item Content
Standard name CQI-23 Injection molding system assessment
Current version 1st edition (2013)
Scope of application All automotive parts injection molding processes
Core modules Management responsibilities + mold development + injection molding process control
Evaluation frequency It is recommended to conduct a comprehensive self-assessment every 12 months
Control points Materials, molds, parameter locking, defect control, traceability, etc.
