SPC in Six Sigma
What is Six Sigma?
Six Sigma is a disciplined methodology that uses data and statistical analysis to measure and improve a company's operational performance by identifying and eliminating "defects" in manufacturing processes. The goal of Six Sigma is to increase profits by eliminating the variability, defects and waste that undermine customer loyalty.
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Case Study
NWA Six Sigma Solutions
NWA software plays a key role in supporting Six Sigma programs in three ways:
1. Six Sigma requires accurate, relevant, timely, and complete data.
In order to perform the process analysis necessary to achieve breakthrough results and verify that the process changes made have had the desired impact, it is critical to collect accurate, relevant, timely, and complete data.
NWA Quality Monitor® increases the accuracy and efficiency of plant-floor data collection while delivering real-time SPC analysis and alarming. Plants can standardize routine quality-related data collection from key entry and devices such as scales, gages, barcode scanners, and automated test equipment.
2. The statistical analysis techniques used in Six Sigma programs require data from a stable process.
Processes must be in statistical control for techniques such as tests of hypotheses (t-tests, chi-square, etc.), Design of Experiments, regression, and multivariate analysis to be valid. This requires the robust application of SPC before many Six Sigma projects can begin.
NWA Quality Analyst® SPC charting and analysis software combines ease-of-use, database connectivity, and comprehensive analytical capability to make it the SPC tool of choice for identifying and reducing the causes of variation in manufacturing processes.
3. The final step of most Six Sigma projects is to implement a control process.
One of the biggest problems reported by Six Sigma companies is "keeping the gains" made by successful projects. To ensure that the gains made by the Six Sigma project team do not erode due to poor day-to-day process control, the final step in most Six Sigma projects is to implement a control process.
The entire NWA product suite is designed to achieve day to day process control easily, efficiently, and effectively in order to prevent ‘process drift' and continue to collect the accurate, relevant, and timely data needed to perform further process analysis.
NWA Quality Analyst SPC charting and analysis software can also be used to do a lot of the back room analysis necessary to achieve breakthrough process improvements.
Design of Experiments (DOE) software from NWA partner Stat-Ease can simplify the highly intensive Six Sigma projects that look at a wide variety of process variables typically involving some design-of-experiments work.
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