The AIAG CQI-27 Special Process: Casting System Assessment is a global standard designed to evaluate and improve the control of metal casting manufacturing processes in the automotive supply chain. Developed by the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), the assessment ensures that foundry suppliers meet common process requirements, thereby minimizing the risk of defects in finished vehicle components.
The current standard, the CQI-27 2nd Edition, was published in March 2018. It is frequently distributed with an Excel-based tool (the "xls upd") to help organizations perform structured self-assessments and maintain compliance with IATF 16949 and customer-specific requirements. Key Components of CQI-27
The assessment provides a systematic framework for foundries to identify potential risks and inefficiencies. It covers several critical areas: CQI-27 | Special Process: Casting System Assessment - AIAG
CQI-27 Special Process: Casting System Assessment (2nd Edition)
is the current global standard for automotive foundry suppliers to evaluate and improve their management systems. Released in March 2018, this update replaced the original version to better address common failure modes that lead to non-conforming castings. www.cqi-support.de Key Updates in the 2nd Edition cqi27 casting system assessment xls upd
The 2nd Edition introduced several enhancements to streamline the assessment process and improve quality outcomes: Consolidated Process Tables
: Tables with similar requirements were merged to reduce redundancy. Expanded Coverage
: New tables were added to cover a wider range of casting processes, including ten specific process tables (A through J) for materials like iron, steel, aluminum, magnesium, and zinc. Mandatory Emphasis
: There is a greater focus on content regarded as mandatory and a strict requirement that deviations must be authorized by customer Product Engineering. Improved Clarity The AIAG CQI-27 Special Process: Casting System Assessment
: Unclear wording from the 1st Edition was revised to ensure consistent interpretation across the supply chain. Assessment XLS Functionality The assessment is typically completed using an Excel-based template provided with the manual from the AIAG Store User Editing
: In the 2nd Edition, unused columns, rows, and sheets are generally not protected, allowing for easier common Excel editing by the user. Core Components : The assessment file typically includes sections for a Cover Sheet (facility info, assessment dates, and findings summary), Process Tables (detailed technical requirements), and a Mandatory Submissions
: Suppliers are often required by OEMs to conduct this self-assessment at least once a year to maintain compliance with IATF 16949 standards. www.cqi-support.de Available Process Tables
The update defines requirements for the following specific casting types: : Sand Casting (Iron/Steel) : Centrifugal Castings & Liners : Investment Castings (Iron/Steel) Table E/F/G/H : Aluminum (SPM, Sand, Metal Mold, High Pressure Die Cast) : Magnesium & Zinc High Pressure Die Cast Mastering CQI-27: Building an Updatable Excel Casting System
For formal certification or to obtain the official template, you can visit the AIAG CQI-27 page or consult specialized providers like TopQM-Systems for support and training. for one of the process tables, such as High Pressure Die Casting CQI-27 | Special Process: Casting System Assessment - AIAG
Since there is no official release called "CQI-27" by AIAG (the Automotive Industry Action Group)—the current standard for casting is CQI-9 (Special Process: Heat Treatment System Assessment) which covers casting heat treatment, or CQI-15 (Special Process: Welding System Assessment) which is sometimes confused numerically—it is highly likely you are referring to the CQI-9 (4th Edition) update regarding castings, or possibly the earlier CQI-19 (Secondary Aluminum Process Assessment).
However, the most common "XLS update" request in the casting industry concerns the CQI-9 Assessment Excel spreadsheet, specifically regarding the tables for heat treatment of castings (Tables A, B, C, and D).
Below is a comprehensive article regarding the current CQI assessment landscape for castings, the Excel assessment tool structure, and how to handle the latest updates.
2025_Q1, 2025_Q2, etc., and link to a summary dashboard.