The state of the technical infrastructure determines the degree to which the quality requirements of products are met and has a significant impact on occupational safety. The purpose of this study is to build a universal model for supporting quality management, which allows the effective implementation of a wide-ranging research path supporting the evaluation of the relationship between the degree of modernity of product processing technology and the quality of the final product and the level of occupational safety. The developed model is verified by its implementation in one of the turning stations. A practical test of the quality management support model confirms that the practice of conducting analyzes of the level of modernity of infrastructure with its application contributed to identifying critical machine components, examining factors affecting the quality of technological operations, reducing uncertainty and the risk of risky events, and conducting activities in line with the concept of continuous improvement. The course of action detailed in the model makes it possible to determine the relationships that exist between key categories of factors and critical product defects, and accidents and near-misses. This allows for the proposal of adequate improvement measures. Further studies concern the implementation of the model at other workstations in the foundry company

The foundry industry is an important component of the economy on which other progressive industries depend. The reliability of the products it manufactures is determined by the technologies used, but, most importantly, it ensures the expected level of quality. The purpose of the article is to develop a synergistic quality-cost model for the improvement of casting products. The model is based on an integral methodological configuration that makes it possible to determine the level of relevance of the causes of casting nonconformity in the quality-cost context. The model integrates techniques such as the Pareto-Lorenz diagram, ranking, brainwriting, Ishikawa diagram, Likert rating scale, and matrix diagram. Verification of the method by its implication in the manufacturing process of a gearbox casting is performed. The model makes it possible to identify quality-cost relationships between key categories of problem causes and major product nonconformities. The main causes of the loss of quality stability of the analyzed product are found to be low quality of molding sand, poor technical condition of foundry equipment (too infrequent repairs and overhauls), and ineffective quality control. Carrying out the analysis made it possible to develop appropriate improvement measures. It is proposed to implement changes in the casting process, implement the TPM method, conduct periodic training, develop job instructions, implement a control system, and provide supervision of employees. Further research directions will concern the implications of the method within the other positions in the casting company and its development towards automation of analysis.

Today, innovation is an important factor in socioeconomic development. Based on advanced engineering and manufacturing technologies, Industry 4.0 has a significant impact on technological innovation and offers valuable opportunities. Innovation activities allow companies to achieve many benefits in the short term, such as the introduction of new products to the market, the implication of new production technologies and, in the long term, the expansion of the market, meeting the exorbitant demands of customers, increasing productivity, and reducing costs, wastage, and production time. This study focuses on the issue of enterprise innovation and, in particular, on the innovative activities of industrial enterprises. This study aims to analyze the innovative activities of industrial enterprises and to identify the conditions that are conducive to undertaking pro-innovative activities. This study presents the theoretical basis for enterprise innovativeness. Secondary data relating to the issue of innovation in the industrial area were collected and analyzed. The activities undertaken made it possible to assess the current level of innovativeness, identify trends, and propose solutions that could support and increase the intensity of innovative activities. The results of this research can be used as a starting point for further deliberations on the creation of conditions supporting an increase in the innovativeness of Polish enterprises.