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Falsifying PDF Reports

acgarcia
I just found an instance to where someone copied a passing report, pasted it and changed the file name to a failing part number. Does anyone have anything program wise to prevent this?

Details:

Operator scans a barcode the inputs a report comment with the serial number. Then I use assignments to take that input and use it to print a pdf with the serial number as the filename. If a part pass the inspection, it goes to a passing folder and it goes to a failing folder if there is 1 or more out of tolerance dimensions. So I have some redundancy with the serial number being present in the report comment and as the filename. Our production software checks to see if the serial number is in the passing folder in order to move it on to the next step. So if it fails, it cannot move forward and it has to be scrapped or reworked. Pretty simple.

Machinist had 2 parts pass the CMM and the 3rd failed last Friday. I have a CNC programmer troubleshooting the CNC machine to make adjustments and he wanted to re inspect the bad part. Problem was we couldn't find it in the scrap bin and didn't know where it was. So he wanted to see the good reports and as we looked at the filenames (serial numbers) we saw the failing serial number in the passing folder. We opened the report and the report comment had a different serial number in the field. It appears the machinist opened the passing folder, copied a passing report, pasted it, and changed the file name to match the failing part. This would allow him to move the part through. So I have 2 identical reports with the exact same time and deviations but with the same report comment serial number and different filename. Luckily we caught this before it left the building.

Now I have IT working on removing filename edit access so now we can't edit filenames but you can still copy a failing report from the failing folder and paste in in the passing folder. They are still working on that part.

Anyway, does anyone have any advice or preventative measures so this doesn't happen again utilizing pcdmis?
  • Create an NCMR log file? If the sample is bad, do what you're doing now, but also write it to a log file... 

    FPTR =FILE/OPEN,NCMR_Log,APPEND
ASSIGN/NCMR_LINE=SERIAL_NUMBER + SOMETHING_ELSE
FILE/WRITELINE,FPTR,NCMR_LINE
FILE/CLOSE,FPTR,KEEP


    Just a thought
  • RandomJerk has a good idea and document this every time you find it.
  • Reprimand the individual! You shouldn't have to build integrity into software, a bad person will always find a way.

    With that said... I denote an NG at the end of a failing report. Set it up to READ access only and if they manage to move a 'bad' report into the good directory shame on them for placing a big fat NG report in there (HAHA!) I initially created this to be able to easily spot bad reports in a single directory though I switched to a dual pass/fail hierarchy many years ago and kept the NG eg. PART#_OP_SN_1_NG.RTF << fail, PART#_OP_SN_1.RTF << pass
  • The guy that did it was let go yesterday. In the past, I thought about not printing bad reports but then the operators wont be able to see whats bad on the report. I've asked the operators if they would like the program to stop at the moment an out of tolerance condition has been found and go straight to a print command but that would leave out the rest of the part and they wouldn't know if another feature is out until the next part. The problem with access is more of a windows setting and pcdmis. I was just wondering what kind of controls for this type of scenario is being used out there.

    How do you all handle re inspecting the same part? Say I have 1 dimension that fails by 0.001" out of tolerance. The operators here would re clean the part and most likely re-run the probe calibration program cleaning the probes with a rag and cleaning the tp20 magnet with the putty before starting. Usually that brings that does enough magic to bring that feature just back in to tolerance. Sometimes not. Is that acceptable?

    I know there are a lot of variables to consider. Probing methods, number of points, and probing hardware. My machines are shop floor models so they aren't supper accurate. The shop is very clean but there are particles in the air and shop dust settles on the CMMs. CMMs are located near CNC machines so some vibration is a factor too. There is also temperature fluctuates in the shop. But when you run 20 good parts in a row and the 21st is bad, its like stop the presses. They want me to "redo" the math or fix the CMM. I'll go out there and clean the scales, re-home the CMM, re-run the calibration program and then the part. Sometimes it helps, sometimes not. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

  • Machinist should not have Permission rights in the Quality Folder, No writing, kinda like Engineering Folder, that way not any ol' Joe can go in there and make changes. The only person or persons, who are in the Quality Department. Technically, Even the report folder from the CMM Computer should have the only Writing rights. Read only for everyone else. That way if anybody copied and pasted, you would still have the original locked by your computer and the report couldn't disappear. That way if there is any changes made, Your the only one to blame. Talk to your IT guy or gal
  • If that happened in aerospace and the part was installed, he would be facing a $500,000 fine and 15 years in prison. Check the Wendell H. Ford Act.
    I don't know what industry this is in, but there should be repercussions for that operator, in my opinion.
  • in reply to Schrocknroll
    Absolutely. I work in the automotive industry and there's a strict enforcement of stuff like this. Sometimes the people in the production side of things forget that people's lives are literally riding on them doing a good job. They're just more focused on making sure what they do looks good.
  • in reply to Schrocknroll
    I can't believe that things like this happen but I know they do. Some people are too selfish and can't think if the repercussions of their actions. I play fast and loose outside of work but on the job, I am particular to the point of annoyance to some. I work in aerospace/defense and I take my job very seriously. The security of my countrymen and my country rely on these parts and the aircraft they go to. I have an immense amount of respect for that. If I ever saw something like this, I would be the first to call them out and I would be very vocal about it.

    Good job on calling it out and taking steps to prevent it from happening again. You have my respect.
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