Knapp A Knapp B Knapp C

As a document (En)...     As a document (Sw)...

"Do you say that by exchanging the chemical content we can decrease the manufacturing time?
Let us perform an experiment to eliminate the uncertainty. Let us do this using statistical methods and the equipment of our own. By planning it in a smart way we can include many parameters in few objects. In this way we also eliminate our own opinions and let the process speak for itself!" (Design of Experiments, DoE).

"We have received a letter from Volvo about excessive variation of dimensions of our ABC-products Volvo has sent us a letter stating that the variation of some of the critical parameters in several of our products, is too high. They want us to present our own figures together with a basic statistical analysis by 7QCT (’seven Quality Control Tools’). They also want us to describe a plan of actions and how we will follow up the improvements." (7QCT analysis).

"Is there really any correlation between the X- and Y-results?
On our meetings we often state that there is a correlation between number of particles in the air and number of incorrect components being produced. Can somebody please perform a trustworthy investigation of this?".

"What will be the result if we change the electronic component A?
We have a rather complicated product. Now we have a suggestion stating that if we buy and install a more expensive component, having a smaller tolerance interval, we will radically decrease the testing time and readjustment work. I want to see a thorough investigation that shows that the total variation and the costs, decrease!" (As the component is a part of a relatively complicated product, a computer simulation is simple and cheap way of investigating the possibilities.)

"How large should our store of spare parts be?
We have up-to-date delivered 2700 units and we know that the demand for new sealings is approximately 1 per two years. I think that our store of spare parts is too large and thus too expensive. On the other hand I want a small risk for a customer not getting a spare part when needed. I want to design the store getting this risk, say, 1 in a 1000. Anyone to help me?" (With statistical tools we can give the size of the store fulfilling the requirements.)

"We have received new goals from our main office regarding delivery times, from order to delivery
The other day we received new goals for 2009. As usual they are a little unclear but I thought that we this time should look at it a little bit closer. It is not obvious what is meant by ’maximum 10 days’. We do not know if they mean ’on the average’ or that it is valid for all deliveries. Neither do we know how we will evaluate these goals against the measurements. We also need to break this goal into sub-goals and follow the progress. I have spoken to some people that know about statistics and now I have the following suggestion: ...in this way we more easily can see the progress and not...".

"Since last autumn we have lots of data. Do we use the data in the right way?
Our newest machines generate a lot of data that we do not use. You asked for this option in the software and therefore I suggest that you use the data. I am convinced that many of our problems can be solved or eliminated if we only cared for own information!" (The data detective at work; ”data mining” is the term.)

"Every week many diagrams are distributed, but, to be honest, I throw them away
I have heard that we will put our reports on the intranet in a near future. I have to admit that I think our graphs neither report or illuminate our problems. A number of percentage bars, one for each quarter, does not make anybody happy. We ought to begin from scratch and create something that is useful and also shows our largest problem, namely the variation!"

"I want to change our process of handling Trouble Reports
We get a number of complaints about our trouble report handling (TR), it takes too long time. I am convinced that if we increase the personal we can show decreases in costs in time and fines because of delays. Last Thursday I met a man that knows how to simulate processes on a computer. He showed me an interesting example how we can test different options using our own data. Therefore I suggest that we...".

Customer requirements, supplier requirements, ISO-requirements
There are usually a number of requirements from e.g. customers, suppliers, authorities, including ISO, on a company. In order to understand, meet, suggest, fulfil, etc, these requirements the company must be able to show that it can handle a certain process or commitment. For this a non-trivial level of understanding of variation, statistics and statistical analysis is a must.

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An ability to understand and measure, discuss, handle, assess, eliminate, variation is important when improving processes and there are many simple and strong tools available. When an organisation starts using statistics, statistical methods and a statistical approach there are many positive effects:

A common language for handling the data

Focusing on the problem the facts rather than personal opinions or beliefs

Avoiding putting the blame on other departments, designers, suppliers, customers, etc.

Better co-operation between design and manufacture

Better integration of purchasing and related questions and problems

Better co-operation with vendors, customers, authorities, etc

Less routine in connection with tolerances or other goals

Better reasoning when choosing measures and measurements

Application of methods in other, less obvious, areas

Better incorporation of the creativity and the participation of the staff

Better awareness to promises of new processes, new methods, new machines, etc

A preparedness for more advanced methods

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