58 articles
Measurement system analysis
Measurement system analysis (MSA) is the statistical evaluation of a measurement process, best known for its Gauge R&R study, which separates repeatability, reproducibility, and part-to-part variation in manufacturing.
Micromort
A micromort is a unit of risk equal to a one-in-a-million chance of death, coined by Stanford decision analyst Ronald A. Howard in 1980 for comparing risky activities.
Mixture design
A mixture design is a design of experiments in which the factors are the proportions of components in a blend, constrained to be non-negative and to sum to one.
Operating characteristic curve
An operating characteristic curve is a graph used in acceptance sampling that plots the probability of accepting a lot against its true quality, as the fraction defective.
P-chart
The p-chart is an attribute control chart in statistical process control that monitors the proportion of defective units in samples of varying size, using binomial control limits.
Pareto chart
A Pareto chart, or Pareto diagram, is a bar graph ranking causes by frequency or cost, used in quality management as one of the seven basic quality tools.
Predictive maintenance
Predictive maintenance (PdM) is a maintenance strategy that uses condition monitoring and data analysis to predict failures, so maintenance happens just in time rather than on a fixed schedule.
Process capability
Process capability is a statistical comparison of an in-control process's output against its specification limits, using dimensionless indices such as Cp, Cpk, and Cpm; a process is capable when nearly all output falls within limits.
Process capability index
The process capability index, or Cpk index, is a statistic comparing a stable process's natural variability with its specification limits; Cp measures spread and Cpk penalizes off-center means.
Production part approval process
The production part approval process (PPAP) is an AIAG-defined evidence package by which a supplier demonstrates it can consistently produce parts meeting all design specifications at production rate.
Profile monitoring
Profile monitoring is a statistical process control method in which process quality is characterized by the relationship between a response variable and explanatory variables, observed as a curve at each sampling stage.
Quality control
Quality control (QC), also known as total quality control, is the set of operational techniques, such as inspection, testing, and statistical monitoring, used to fulfill quality requirements.
Quality function deployment
Quality function deployment, also known as customer-driven engineering, is a structured method translating customer needs into technical requirements, developed in Japan in the late 1960s.
Quality management
Quality management is the coordinated set of organizational activities used to plan, control, assure, and improve product quality, combining statistical process control, continual improvement, and standards like ISO 9001.
Redundancy (engineering)
Redundancy in engineering is the use of more than one independent means to do a job, so one failure does not stop the system; the gain requires independent failures.
Reliability engineering
Reliability engineering, also called systems reliability, is a branch of systems engineering that ensures products perform their intended functions without failure, using probability, statistics, and testing across the product lifecycle.
Response surface methodology
Response surface methodology (RSM), also called the Box-Wilson method, is a collection of statistical techniques for designing experiments and optimizing process responses, introduced by Box and Wilson in 1951.
Risk matrix
A risk matrix is a risk management grid that places rated risks by likelihood and consequence, with colored cells marking unacceptable, intermediate, and acceptable risk.
Safety integrity level
A safety integrity level (SIL) is one of four levels, SIL 1 lowest to SIL 4 highest, specifying safety integrity requirements of safety functions under the IEC 61508 standards.
Single point of failure
A single point of failure (SPOF), also called a central point of failure, is any component whose own failure stops a system or critical function from operating.
SIPOC
SIPOC is a diagram used in Six Sigma's Define phase to summarize a process as suppliers, inputs, process, outputs, and customers, agreeing scope before detailed flowcharting.
Six Sigma
Six Sigma is a data-driven method for improving business processes by reducing variation and defects, targeting 3.4 defects per million opportunities. Motorola developed it in 1986, and it is applied through the five-phase DMAIC cycle.
Statistical process control
Statistical process control, also known as statistical quality control, uses statistical techniques, especially control charts, to monitor and control processes, distinguishing ordinary variation from real change.
Taguchi design
A Taguchi design, or Taguchi experimental design, is a design of experiments method using orthogonal arrays to study many factors in few runs and make processes robust to noise.
Taguchi methods
Taguchi methods are statistical experimental-design methods developed by Genichi Taguchi for robust design, using orthogonal arrays and signal-to-noise ratios to make product performance insensitive to noise.
Two-dimensional warranty models
A two-dimensional warranty model covers a product until an age limit or a usage limit is reached, whichever comes first, as in 5 years or 40,000 miles.
W. Edwards Deming
W. Edwards Deming (1900–1993) was an American statistician and management theorist whose statistical quality control teaching transformed Japanese industry after World War II and later reshaped American management.
Warranty data analysis
Warranty data analysis is the modeling of warranty claims data to estimate field reliability, forecast future claims and costs, and detect product quality problems as they emerge.