Conducting a Capability Study:

The purpose of a capability study is to estimate the process average and variation, relative to the specified tolerances.
To begin a capability study, identify the product, the characteristic, the tolerances, and the measurement method.
Capability studies are frequently performed using 30 consecutively-produced units.
If the units for the study are not consecutive, note the times, groupings, and conditions under which the units were produced.
Measure the units in time-order-produced if possible, to permit deeper investigation if desired.
Enter the tolerance maximum (if applicable) and minimum (if applicable) on the form where shown.
Characteristics with only a minimum tolerance are usually "higher is better" characteristics.
Characteristics with only a maximum tolerance are usually "lower is better" characteristics.
Characteristics with both a maximum and minimum tolerance are usually "nominal is best" characteristics.
Some characteristics are special "closer to tolerance is better" characteristics. Examples are speed limits and gear diameters.
Determine which direction the characteristic is supposed to be "better," to be able to interpret the capability study.
Enter the 30 measurement readings on the form where shown.
The template will automatically construct a histogram to visually estimate the shape of the process distribution, relative to the t
Note the Cp ratio, which is the ratio of the tolerance width to the width of 6-sigma of process variation.
A Cp of less than 1.33 signals trouble staying within the tolerance. A Cp greater than 2.0 signals a good potential to meet the t
The Cp ratio is independent of the location of the process average. Processes with off-target averages can still score good Cp
If the characteristic has only a one-sided tolerance, the Cp ratio does not apply.
Note the Cpk, which is the distance from process average to closest tolerance, divided by 3-sigma.
A Cpk of less than 1.33 signals trouble with exceeding the closest tolerance. A Cpk greater than 2.0 signals a good safety mar
Both Cp and Cpk are estimates based on random sampling, and are subject to variation from one sample to another sample.
Histogram distributions with unexpected shapes deserve investigation.
Histograms with unexpected shapes can be caused by process average changes during production, mixing of two or more pro
Process capability should be studied in coordination with process control (SPC) in order to evaluate both capability and stabilit
Process capability estimates are misleading if the process is subject to significant special causes (changes in average or varia
To avoid producing defects, the process needs BOTH capability AND stability.

ecified tolerances.
ent method.

he units were produced.

imits and gear diameters.

ability study.

stribution, relative to the tolerance limits.

ood potential to meet the tolerances.

es can still score good Cp ratios.

signals a good safety margin to the closest tolerance.

mple to another sample.

mixing of two or more processes, and many other causes.

both capability and stability of the process.
anges in average or variation).

Capability Study Instructions: Re-name & save file, delete old data, enter Maximum, Minimum, and up to 30 data readings in Column "B"
Part # or SKU#: 124789
Product name: Housing
Characteristic name: Flange diameter
Specification Maximum:
Specification Minimum:
Data Reading 1
Data Reading 2
Data Reading 3
Data Reading 4
Data Reading 5
Data Reading 6
Data Reading 7
Data Reading 8
Data Reading 9
Data Reading 10
Data Reading 11
Data Reading 12
Data Reading 13
Data Reading 14
Data Reading 15
Data Reading 16
Data Reading 17
Data Reading 18
Data Reading 19
Data Reading 20
Data Reading 21
Data Reading 22
Data Reading 23
Data Reading 24
Data Reading 25
Data Reading 26
Data Reading 27
Data Reading 28
Data Reading 29
Data Reading 30

0.529
0.501
0.515
0.516
0.514
0.513
0.512
0.516
0.517
0.518
0.516
0.517
0.515
0.519
0.513
0.5144
0.518
0.517
0.513
0.5145
0.5155
0.512
0.511
0.51
0.5155
0.5155
0.52

Operation #: 20
Operation name: drilling
Workstation #: 456123
Histogram Maximum:
Coded data point:
Histogram Minimum:
0.53096
10
Upper bound cell 20
0.52928
10.5952380952
Upper bound cell 19
0.5276
9.4047619048
Upper bound cell 18
0.52592
8.8095238095
Upper bound cell 17
8.2142857143
Upper bound cell 16
0.52424
10.5952380952
Upper bound cell 15
0.52256
11.1904761905
Upper bound cell 14
0.52088
11.7857142857
Upper bound cell 13
0.5192
10.5952380952
Upper bound cell 12
0.51752
11.1904761905
Upper bound cell 11
0.51584
10
Upper bound cell 10
0.51416
12.380952381
Upper bound cell 9
8.8095238095
Upper bound cell 8
0.51248
9.6428571429
Upper bound cell 7
0.5108
11.7857142857
Upper bound cell 6
0.50912
11.1904761905
Upper bound cell 5
0.50744
8.8095238095
Upper bound cell 4
0.50576
9.7023809524
Upper bound cell 3
0.50408
10.2976190476
Upper bound cell 2
0.5024
8.2142857143
Upper bound cell 1
7.619047619
Lower bound cell 1
0.50072
7.0238095238
0.49904
10.2976190476
10.2976190476
Average:
12.9761904762
Standard Deviation:
-296.5476190476
Upper 3 Sigma Value:
-296.5476190476
Lower 3 Sigma Value:
-296.5476190476
Cp Index:
-296.5476190476
Cpk:
-296.5476190476
Average to max

Person:
Shift:
Date:
0.5318
0.4982
0.5318
0.53012
0.52844
0.52676
0.52508
0.5234
0.52172
0.52004
0.51836
0.51668
0.515
0.51332
0.51164
0.50996
0.50828
0.5066
0.50492
0.50324
0.50156
0.49988
0.4982

0.515096
0.0024759645
0.5225238934
0.5076681066
1.8847874211
1.8718631645
0.013904

John Smith
1
1/10/05

Count above
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
7
13
18
23
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
25

Cell Midpoint
0.53096
0.52928
0.5276
0.52592
0.52424
0.52256
0.52088
0.5192
0.51752
0.51584
0.51416
0.51248
0.5108
0.50912
0.50744
0.50576
0.50408
0.5024
0.50072
0.49904

"# of Sigmas Capability":

2-tail PPM "Traditional":
1-tail PPM "Traditional":
PPM "w/1.5 Sigma Shift":

5.6
0.0195893233
0.0097946617
19.3095556663