Introduction: Why CQI-27 Matters More Than Ever In the world of automotive and industrial manufacturing, casting defects are not merely a nuisance—they are a liability. Porosity, inclusions, cold shuts, and dimensional inaccuracies can lead to catastrophic product failures, costly recalls, and damaged brand reputations. Recognizing this, the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) developed the CQI-27 Casting System Assessment (CSA) . This standard is not a casual checklist; it is a rigorous, process-based auditing system designed to ensure that suppliers of castings (whether iron, steel, or aluminum) maintain consistent quality and process control.

As you continue, the XLS’s summary dashboard updates automatically. You see current compliance at 82% (Yellow). You know you are borderline. Focus on critical process controls.

Export the XLS to PDF. Present the summary to supplier management. The CAP sheet is already populated with non-conformances. Assign responsible parties and due dates immediately.

Go to the Dashboard. Select “High Pressure Die Casting” (Section 2). Enter audit scope: Melting, shot end, trimming, and X-ray inspection.

Use the XLS to tick through documents required by CQI-27. For Clause 2.1.4 (Material verification), you ask for melt logs. The supplier shows a spreadsheet. You record in the XLS: “Compliant – logs complete.”