1st Edition

The Practical Application of the Process Capability Study Evolving From Product Control to Process Control

By Douglas B. Relyea Copyright 2011
    164 Pages 38 B/W Illustrations
    by Productivity Press

    164 Pages
    by Productivity Press

    This book shows readers how to use the process capability study to increase return on investment from their statistical process control/Six Sigma effort and make their company more competitive. It provides benefits to every department within a manufacturing organization.

    A Review of Basic Concepts

    Specifications Revisited

    Process Control Chart vs. Product Control Chart

    Process Capability Study Defined

    A Shop Floor Example of Process Control

    A Short Course in Variation

    Stability and the Normal Curve

    Study the Product to Understand the Process

    Product Control Chart and Process Stability

    Product Control Chart and Process Capability

    The Simple Number Describing Process Capability

    Can a Process be Instable but Capable

    Performing a Process Capability Study

    A Simple Flow Diagram

    The Need for a Qualified Measurement System

    Shop Floor Interface

    Equipment Walk About

    Data Collection

    The Available Excel Sheet

    Reviewing Results with Management and Shop Floor Associates

    After the Process Capability Study Is Complete

    How to Address Instability

    How to Address a Lack of Capability

    Follow Up on a Stable and Capable Process

    The Twenty Minute Measurement Analysis

    Shop Floor Involvement

    The Available Excel Sheet

    Chapter Five

    The Process Capability as a Purchasing Tool

    The Process Capability Study as a Sales and Marketing Tool

    The Process Capability Study as a Shop Floor Problem Solving Tool

    Conclusion

    Biography

    Douglas B. Relyea is the founder and senior partner of Quality Principle Associates, a consulting firm based in Norwich, Connecticut that specializes in the education and application of data analysis techniques to industrial/organizational problem solving.

    … the book has many great examples and case histories that provide insight into the methods the author has employed over at least the past 30 years. …
    —Dean Neubauer, Journal of Quality Technology, Vol. 43, No. 3, July 2011

    The techniques described in this book are essential for the long-term survival of any manufacturer or service provider.
    —Tom Oringderff, Senior Quality Control Engineer (retired)

    The measurement process analysis technique (MPA) helped us realize many critical product characteristics were far more capable (less variation) than we previously thought. [Doug’s book] reduced inspection, rework, and scrap and overall improved our competitiveness.
    —Jerry Cates, Corporate Vice President, Corning Cable Systems, Hickory, North Carolina (retired)