Statistical Quality Control (SQC)
SQC consists of two major areas:
1. Acceptance Sampling
2. Process Control or Control Charts
Both of these statistical techniques may be applied to two
kinds of data.
1. Attribute Data: when the quality characteristic being
investigated is noted by either its presence or absence
and then classified as Defective or Non-Defective.
Example: Conforming or non-conforming
• Pass or fail
• Good or bad
2. Variable Data: The characteristics are
actually measured and can take on a value
along a continuous scale.
Example: Length, Weight
Acceptance Sampling
• Acceptance Sampling is therefore a method used
to make a decision as to whether to accept or to
reject lots based on inspection of sample(s). The
objective is not to control or estimate the quality
of lots, only to pass a judgment on lots.
• Inspection provides a means for monitoring
quality. For example, inspection may be
performed on incoming raw material, to decide
whether to keep it or return it to the vendor if
the quality level is not what was agreed on.
Acceptance Sampling Contd….
• Using sampling rather than 100% inspection of
the lots brings some risks both to the
consumer and to the producer, which are
called the consumer's and the producer's
risks, respectively.
• Statistical Inference is made on the quality of
the lot by inspecting only the small sample
drawn from the lot.
There are several Acceptance Sampling Plans:
• Single Sampling (Inference made on the basis
of only one sample)
• Double Sampling (Inference made on the basis
of one or two samples)
• Sequential Sampling (Additional samples are
drawn until an inference can be made) etc.
Control Chart
• A control chart is one of the primary techniques of statistical
process control (SQC).
• This chart plots the averages of measurements of a quality
characteristic in samples taken from the process versus time
(or the sample number). The chart has a center line (CL) and
upper and lower control limits.
• The control chart is a very useful process monitoring
technique; when unusual sources of variability are present,
sample averages will plot outside the control limits. This is a
signal that some investigation of the process should be made
and corrective action to remove these unusual sources of
variability taken. Systematic use of a control chart is an
excellent way to reduce variability.
• In 1974 Dr. Kaoru Ishikawa brought together a
collection of process improvement tools in his
text Guide to Quality Control. Known around the world
as the seven quality control (7–QC) tools, they are:
• Cause–and–effect analysis
• Check sheets/tally sheets
• Control charts
• Graphs
• Histograms
• Pareto analysis
• Scatter analysis
In addition to the basic 7–QC tools, there are also some
additional tools known as the seven supplemental (7–
SUPP) tools:
• Data stratification (A technique used to analyze/divide a
universe of data into homogeneous groups (strata) often
data collected about a problem or event represents
multiple sources that need to treated separately).
• Defect maps (It provides key information to help you
control the manufacturing process and focus your
improvement efforts)
• Events logs (An Event log enables you check in information
with each subgroup. It could be information on batch
numbers, any external event that has occurred or any other
information that could be useful to go with the data)
• Process flowcharts/maps
• Progress centers
• Randomization
• Sample size determination
