Scientific method of observation and experimentation play a key role in quality improvement. In this article, I provide numerous examples of the use of scientific method and argue that this a vital catalyst for Total ...

Inner and outer array designs are useful for the development of robust products. In this article we will provide a discussion of their design and analysis from a classic factorial and fractional factorial design standpoint. ...

Identifying factors that affect the variability of a process has become an important step in improving quality. Over the years many methods based on unreplicated two-level factorial experiments have been proposed for ...

Quality control based on inspection and segregation is uneconomical and inefficient. To be effective, quality needs to be considered and planned at the product design stage. In this article we put what seems like detailed ...

In this article we explore the general non-robustness of traditional root sum of squares statistical tolerancing and describe, in particular, how it can fail. These are [1] deficiencies in the functional model, [2] lower ...

In this paper we outline how a simple procedure of requesting a proposal before management signs off on an experiment can dramatically improve the effectiveness of experimenters. An eleven step process is provided.

In this article we will discuss the use of two-level factorial and fractional factorial experiments with binary responses (defectives/non-defectives) where the purpose is to reduce the rate of defectives. Contrary to a ...

Robust product design and parameter design - methods to develop products that will perform well regardless of changes in uncontrollable environmental conditions or that are insensitive to component variation - are key ...

Component tolerances for assembled products are often set with the help of the error transmission formula. However, this approach requires knowledge of the partial derivatives of the functional relationship between the ...

Taguchi has suggested a new method of confirmatory trials that is intended to test for possible interaction effects. The method is being promoted by many recent authors. A careful analysis of this method, however, shows ...