Inspection Standard -- AQL Table

AQL
TSI's inspectors use the MIL-STD-105E tables (also known as AQL tables) to measure acceptable
levels of quality of the products they inspect. This method is widely used by the inspection profession
to determine whether to accept a production batch without checking every single item of the batch.
Besides AQL, other similar standards such as ANSI/ASQC Z1.4, ISO 2859, NF06-022, BS 6001, and
DIN 40080 have been used by different nations and international standardization organizations.
Batch/Lot
A batch or lot is a collection of products – all identical in size, type, conditions and time of production
– from which a sample will be taken to determine whether the batch conforms to the acceptance level.
Acceptance Sampling
Acceptance Sampling is used to decide whether to accept or reject a production lot: select samples
from the production lot and inspect the units in the sample, then use the result to determine whether
to accept or reject the lot.
General Sampling Level
The Sampling Level represents the overall accuracy level of the Sampling Method. For a given lot size,
increasing the Sampling Level means increasing the Sample Size.
There are three General Sampling Levels: I, II, or III. TSI’s default Level is II.
Special Inspection Level
Special Inspection Level is used instead of the General Inspection Level when there are special
requirements for the inspection. There are four special inspection levels: S1, S2, S3 and S4.
Samples size code letter
The code letter is based on lot size and inspection level.
Sampling size
The sampling size is the total number of units to be inspected.
AQL and defect classification
Defect classification
Defects detected during inspections are generally classified in 3 categories:
- Critical defect
- Major defect
- Minor defect
Critical defect: critical defect is likely to result in hazardous or unsafe conditions for using and/or
maintaining the product. We generally set the acceptable critical defect level at 0.
Major defect: major defect does not affect safety of the product, but affects the product’s
performance. We generally set the acceptable major defect level at 2.5.
Minor defect: minor defect will not affect normal use of the product. The defect is usually the result of
less than satisfactory workmanship. We generally set the acceptable minor defect level at 4.0.
How do I determine the right sample size and acceptance number?
As an example, for an inspection of a 7000-unit lot, with General Inspection Level of II, Table A
indicates that the sample size code letter should be L. Table B indicates that the sample size should be
200 units.
For an AQL of Major 2.5 / Minor 4.0, the corresponding acceptance number is Major 10/ Minor 14. This
means critical defect should be 0 pc; major defects should be 10 pcs or less; minor defects should be
14 pcs or less. If selected samples have any critical level defects or have major defects of 11 or over,
or minor defects of 15 or over, the whole batch will fail the inspection.

TABLE A
TABLE B