Q1 B)

Comparing and Contrasting Taguchi's Approaches in Product and Process Design

Genichi Taguchi, a renowned statistician and quality engineer, developed two distinct
approaches for product and process design:

1. Parameter Design: This approach focuses on optimizing the design of a product itself
to achieve desired performance characteristics and minimize sensitivity to external factors
like environmental variations or manufacturing tolerances.

2. Tolerance Design: This approach focuses on setting appropriate tolerances for the
manufacturing process to ensure consistent product quality despite inherent variations in
materials, equipment, or operator skill.

Comparison:

Feature Parameter Design Tolerance Design

Focus Product itself Manufacturing process

Objective Minimize sensitivity to Ensure consistent quality

external factors despite variations

Methodology Design of experiments Statistical analysis and

(DoE) with signal-to-noise tolerance calculations
(S/N) ratio

Outcome Robust product design Optimal process

specifications
Contrast:

Feature Parameter Design Tolerance Design

Control level Fundamental design Manufacturing

choices parameters

Flexibility Higher initial flexibility for Less flexible, tied to

innovation specific process

Complexity Can be more complex Simpler calculations and

due to DoE and S/N analysis
analysis

Cost Can be costly due to DoE Potentially lower cost

experiments after initial setup

Examples:

Product Improvement with Parameter Design:

● Developing a new smartphone: Taguchi methods can be used to optimize the

design of the camera lens to minimize image blur under different lighting conditions
and user handshakes.

Process Improvement with Tolerance Design:

● Manufacturing a car engine block: Taguchi methods can be used to set optimal
tolerances for machining dimensions to ensure consistent engine performance and
fuel efficiency despite variations in casting and machining processes.