Acceptance Sampling

a form of inspection applied to lots or

batches of items before or after a
process to judge conformance to
predetermined standards

15 - 1
 Acceptance Sampling

• Acceptance sampling is a method used to accept or reject

product based on a random sample of the product.
• The purpose of acceptance sampling is to sentence lots (accept
or reject) rather than to estimate the quality of a lot.
• Acceptance sampling plans do not improve quality. The nature
of sampling is such that acceptance sampling will accept some
lots and reject others even though they are of the same quality.
• The most effective use of acceptance sampling is as an auditing
tool to help ensure that the output of a process meets
requirements.
 When to use acceptance sampling?
• When testing is destructive.
• Large numbers of items must be processed in a short amount of
time
• The cost of “passing defectives” is low
• Fatigue/boredom is caused by inspecting large numbers of items
• When the cost of 100% inspection is high.
• When 100% inspection is not technologically feasible or would
require so much calendar time and/or expenses.
• When there are many items to be inspected and the inspection
error rate is high.
• When the vendor has an excellent quality history, and some
reduction in inspection from 100% is desired.
• When there are potentially serious product liability risks.
 Acceptance Sampling

• Purposes
– Determine quality level
– Ensure quality is within predetermined level
Advantages of Acceptance Sampling
 Disadvantages of Acceptance Sampling

• Risks of accepting ”bad” lots and rejecting “good” lots.

In the “good” lot, there might be nonconformities.
• Sample provides less information than 100-percent
inspection
• Acceptance sampling requires more time on planning
and documentation of the acceptance sampling
procedure.
 Sampling Plans
Sampling Plans specify the lot size, sample size, number of samples
and acceptance/rejection criteria. Sampling plans involve
. Single sampling
. Double sampling
. Multiple sampling
- Sequential Sampling
Lot
Random
sample

15 - 7
 Lot Formations

Considerations before inspection:

• Lots should be homogeneous
Units in a lot should be produced by the same:
 machines,
operators,
from common raw materials,
approximately same time
• Larger lots more preferable than smaller lots
• Lots should be conformable to the materials-handling
systems used in both the vendor and consumer
facilities.

15 - 8
 Random Sampling

• The units selected for inspection should be

chosen at random.
• Should be representative of all units in a lot
• Watch for Salting: Vendor may put “good” units on top layer of
lot knowing a lax inspector might only sample from the top layer

• Random samples are not used, bias can be

introduced.
• If any judgment methods are used to select the
sample, the statistical basis of the acceptance-
sampling procedure is lost.

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 Single Sampling Plan
A Single Sampling Plan is one where
. A representative sample of n items is drawn from a lot size of N
items.
. Each item in the sample is examined and classified as
good/defective
. If the number of defective exceeds a specified rejection
number (c - cut off point) the whole lot is rejected; otherwise the
whole lot is accepted
Lot (N Random Lot (N Random
items) sample items) sample
(n items) (n items)

15 - 10
 Single Sampling Plan

Total number ： N
The proportion of defects :P
Accept the lot
d≦C

(N, p) (n,c)
d>C Reject the lot

Where d is the number of the actual defects in the sample.

 Single Sampling Plan

Probability of Acceptance :

K N K
( Cd ) *( Cn  d )
c
Pa (d  c)   N
d 0 Cn
N, lot size
K, total number of defective items in the lot
n, sample size
d, total number of defective items in the sample
c, acceptable limit of defective items in the sample

15 - 12
 Single Sampling Plan

Probability of Acceptance :
c
Pa (d  c)   Cd p (1  p)
n d nd

d 0

The lot size N is very large,

p is fraction defective,
d is the defective items in the sample and
c is the acceptable limit of defective items in the
sample.

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 Operating Characteristic (OC) Curve

• An Operating Characteristic Curve (OC) is a probability curve for a specific

sampling plan that shows the probabilities of accepting lots with various lot
quality levels (% defectives).
• Assists management to discriminate between good and bad lots
• Exact shape and location of the curve is defined by the sample size (n) and
acceptance level (c) for the sampling plan

15 - 14
 Operating Characteristic Curve (OCC)

1
0.9 Under this sampling plan, if the lot has 3% defective
Probability of accepting lot

0.8
. the probability of
accepting the lot is 90% . the probability of
0.7
rejecting the lot is 10%
0.6
0.5 If the lot has 20% defective . it has a small
0.4 probability (5%) of being accepted . the probability of
0.3 rejecting the lot is 95%
0.2
0.1
0
0 .05 .10 .15 .20 Lot quality (% defective)
15 - 15
 Operating Characteristic Curve (OCC)
Under this sampling plan what is the probability of accepting a lot that
has 5% defectives?

1
0.9
Probability of accepting lot

0.8 Approximately 80%

0.7 This sampling plan may not be
0.6 acceptable to customer. Therefore,
0.5 this sampling plan may not be
0.4 acceptable for meeting the customers
0.3
level of quality.
0.2
0.1
0
0 .05 .10 .15 .20 Lot quality (% defective)
15 - 16
 OC Curve (cont.)
1.00 –
 = 0.05

0.80 –
Probability of acceptance, Pa

0.60 – OC curve for n and c

0.40 –

0.20 –

 = 0.10
| | | | | | | | | |
– 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.20
Proportion defective
AQL LTPD
15-17
 Ideal OC Curve

• Suppose the lot quality is considered bad if p = 0.01 or more

• A sampling plan that discriminated perfectly between good and bad lots would have an
OC curve like:

Probability of Acceptance, Pa
1.00

0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04

Lot fraction defective, p

15 - 18
 Ideal OC Curve (cont’d)
• In theory it is obtainable by 100% inspection Iif inspection were error free.
• Obviously, ideal OC curve is unobtainable in practice
• But, ideal OC curve can be approached by increasing sample size, n.

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 Producer and Consumer Risks in Acceptance
Sampling
• Most customers understand that 100% inspection is impractical and are generally
willing to accept that a certain level of defectives will be produced.
• AQL or Acceptable Quality Level
– is the percentage level of defects at which a customer is willing to accept a lot
as “good”.

• LTPD or Lot Tolerance Percent Defective

– is the upper limit on the percentage of defectives that a customer is willing to
accept.

15 - 20
 Producer and Consumer Risks in Acceptance
Sampling

• Customers want lots with quality better than or equal to the AQL but are willing to
live with some lots with quality as poor as the LTPD, but prefer not to accept lots
with quality levels worse than the LTPD.

• Therefore the sampling plan must be designed to assure the customer that they will
be receiving the required AQL and LTPD.

• The AQL and LTPD are dependent on many things (reliability, liability, competitor
quality levels, etc.) and will vary by industry and by customer. Typically industry
standards are set because suppliers have more than one customer and customers
have more than one supplier.

15 - 21
 Producer and Consumer Risks in Acceptance
Sampling
• Because we take only a sub-sample from a lot, there is a risk that a good lot will be
rejected and bad lot will be accepted.

• The Producer’s Risk is the probability that a “good” lot will be rejected.
 (Producer’s Risk – a)

• The Consumer’s Risk is the probability that an unacceptable lot (e.g. above the
LTPD) will be accepted.
 (Consumer’s Risk – b)

15 - 22
Producer’s and Consumer’s Risk (cont’d)

Good Lot Accept Reject

Type I Error
No Error
Producer’ Risk α
Bad Lot

Type II Error
No Error
Consumer’s Risk β

Sampling Errors
 Producer’s Risk - a
• Producer wants as many lots accepted by consumer as possible so
– Producer “makes sure” the process produces a level of fraction defective equal to or
less than:

p1 = AQL = Acceptable Quality Level

–
a is the probability that a good lot will be rejected by the consumer even though the
lot really has a fraction defective  p1

• That is,  L o t is re je c te d g iv e n th a t p ro c e s s 
  P 
 h a s a n a c c e p ta b le q u a lity le v e l 
  P  L o t is re je c te d p  A Q L 

  1  Pa
 OCC, AQL & Producer’s Risk
1
0.9 Producer’s Risk = probability acceptable lot is rejected
0.8
Probability of accepting lot

0.7
0.6
0.5 AQL - percentage level of defects at which
0.4 a customer is willing to accept
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0 .05 .10 .15 .20 Lot quality (% defective)
“Acceptable Lot”
15 - 25
 Consumer’s Risk - b
• Consumer wants to make sure that no bad lots are accepted
– Consumer says, “I will not accept a lot if percent defective is greater than or
equal to p2”

p2 = LTPD = Lot Tolerance Percent Defective

b is the probability that a bad lot is accepted by the consumer when the lot
really has a fraction defective  p2

 L o t a c c e p t e d g i v e n t h a t lo t 
•   P
That is,  h a s u n a c c e p t a b le q u a li t y le v e l 

  P  L o t a c c e p t e d p  L T P D 

 
26
 OCC, LTPD & Consumer’s Risk
1
0.9
0.8
Probability of accepting lot

0.7
LTPD - upper limit on the percentage of
0.6 defectives that a customer is willing to
0.5 accept.
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1 Consumer’s Risk = probability unacceptable is accepted
0
0 .05 .10 .15 .20 Lot quality (% defective)
“Unacceptable Lot”
15 - 27
 Designing a Single-Sampling Plan with a Specified OC Curve

• The sample size n and acceptance number c are the solution

to:
c n! d n d
1    p1 (1  p1 )
d  0 d!( n  d )!

c n! d n d
  p 2 (1  p 2 )
d  0 d!( n  d )!
 Designing a Single-Sampling Plan with a Specified OC Curve

• Use a chart called a Binomial Nomograph to design

plan

• Specify:
 p1 = AQL (Acceptable Quality Level)

 p2 = LTPD (Lot Tolerance Percent Defective)

 1 – a = P[Lot is accepted | p = AQL]

 β = P[Lot is accepted | p = LTPD]

29
 Use a Binomial Nomograph to Find Sampling Plan

• Draw two lines on nomograph

– Line 1 connects p1 = AQL to (1- a)
– Line 2 connects p2 = LTPD to b
– Pick n and c from the intersection of the lines

• Example: Suppose
– p1 = 0.01,
– α = 0.05,
– p2 = 0.06,
– β = 0.10.

Find the acceptance sampling plan.

30
 p1 = AQL = .01 p - Axis

Greek - Axis

n = 120
p2 = LTPD = .06

 = .10

1 –  = 1 – .05 = .95

c=3
Take a sample of size 120.
Accept lot if defectives ≤ 3.
Otherwise, reject entire lot!
 Rectifying Inspection Programs
• Acceptance sampling programs usually require corrective
action when lots are rejected, that is,
– Screening rejected lots
• Screening means doing 100% inspection on lot
• In screening, defective items are
– Removed or
– Reworked or
– Returned to vendor or
– Replaced with known good items

15-32
Rectifying Inspection Programs
Incoming Lots:
Fraction Defective
p0

Inspection
Activity

Rejected Lots:
Accepted
100%
Lots
Inspected

Fraction Fraction
Defective = 0 Defective
p0

Outgoing Lots:
Fraction Defective
p1  p 0

15 - 33
 Where to Use Rectifying Inspection

• Used when manufacturer wishes to know average level of quality

that is likely to result at given stage of manufacturing

• Example stages:
– Receiving inspection
– In-process inspection of semi-finished goods
– Final inspection of finished goods

• Objective: give assurance regarding average quality of material

used in next stage of manufacturing operations

15 - 34
 Average Outgoing Quality: AOQ
• Quality that results from application of rectifying inspection
– Expected number of defective items that will pass on to customer
with a sampling plan
– Average value obtained over long sequence of lots from process
with fraction defective p

Pa p  N  n 
AOQ 
N
• N - Lot size, n = # units in sample
• Assumes all known defective units replaced with good ones,
that is,
– If lot rejected, replace all bad units in lot
– If lot accepted, just replace the bad units in sample
• Average outgoing quality limit (AOQL) is the maximum
outgoing quality level.
– maximum point on the curve
– worst level of outgoing quality
15-35
 Development of AOQ
• If lot accepted:
Number defective units in lot:
 # u n its 
 fra c tio n  
 p  N  n     re m a in in g 
 d e f e c tiv e   in lo t 
 

• Expected number of defective units: L o t

   # d e fe c tiv e 
 P a   p  N  n  P ro b    
 a c c e p te d   u n its in lo t 

• Average fraction defective,

Average Outgoing Quality,
P pAOQ:N
a   n 
A O Q 
N
 Calculating the AOQL

EXAMPLE
Suppose that Noise King is using rectified inspection for its single-sampling plan.
Calculate the average outgoing quality limit for a plan with n = 110, c = 3, and N = 1,000.
Calculate the probabilities of acceptance for values of the proportion defective from 0.01
to 0.08 in steps of 0.01.

SOLUTION
Use the following steps to estimate the AOQL for this sampling plan:
Step 1: Determine the probabilities of acceptance for the desired values of p. These
are shown in the following table.

15-23
 Calculating the AOQL

Probability of
Proportion Acceptance
Defective (p)
(Pa)
0.01 0.974

0.02 0.819

0.03 0.581

0.04 0.359

0.05 0.202

0.06 0.105

0.07 0.052

0.08 0.024

15 - 38
 Calculating the AOQL

Step 2: Calculate the AOQ for each value of p.

For p = 0.01: 0.01(0.974)(1000 – 110)/1000 = 0.0087

For p = 0.02: 0.02(0.819)(1000 – 110)/1000 = 0.0146
For p = 0.03: 0.03(0.581)(1000 – 110)/1000 = 0.0155
For p = 0.04: 0.04(0.359)(1000 – 110)/1000 = 0.0128
For p = 0.05: 0.05(0.202)(1000 – 110)/1000 = 0.0090
For p = 0.06: 0.06(0.105)(1000 – 110)/1000 = 0.0056
For p = 0.07: 0.07(0.052)(1000 – 110)/1000 = 0.0032
For p = 0.08: 0.08(0.024)(1000 – 110)/1000 = 0.0017

The plot of the AOQ values is shown in Figure (Next page)

 Calculating the AOQL

AOQL
1.6 –
Step 3: Identify the largest AOQ
value, which is the estimate of the
Average outgoing quality (percent)

1.2 –
AOQL. In this example, the AOQL
is 0.0155 at p = 0.03.

0.8 –

0.4 –

| | | | | | | |
0– 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Defectives in lot (percent)
Figure : Average Outgoing Quality Curve for the Noise King Muffler Service
 Average Total Inspection (ATI)

If lot is accepted:
Number of units inspected = n with a probability of Pa
If lot is rejected:
Number of units inspected = N with a probability of 1  Pa
Average Total Inspection

ATI  Pa * n  (1  Pa ) * N
 n  n  nPa  (1  Pa ) * N
 n  n(1  Pa )  (1  Pa ) * N
 n  (1  Pa )( N  n)
15 - 41
 Double Sampling Plan
A Double Sampling Plan allows the opportunity to take a second
sample if the results of the original sample are inconclusive.
. Specifies the lot size, size of the initial sample, the
accept/reject/inconclusive criteria for the initial sample (CL -
lower level of defectives, CU - upper level of defectives)
. Specifies the size of the second sample and the acceptance
rejection criteria based on the total number of defective observed
in both the first and second sample (CT- total allowable
defectives)

It works like the following example

15 - 42
 Double Sampling Plan

Lot First Random

sample

First sample inconclusive,

Accept Lot Reject Lot
take second sample

CL CU
Compare number of defective found in the first random sample to CL
and CU and make appropriate decision.

15 - 43
 Double Sampling Plan
Lot First Random sample

Second Random sample

Accept Lot Reject Lot

CT
Compare the total number of defective in both lots to CT and make the
appropriate decision
15 - 44
 Double Sampling Plan

Accept the lot

dn1≦c1 d(n1+n2) ≤c2 Accept the lot
c1<dn1≤c2
(N,p) (n1, c1) (n1+n2 , c2)
d(n1+n2) >c2 Reject the lot
dn1>c2
Reject the lot

15 - 45
 Double Sampling Plan (cont’d)

• Probability of Acceptance
I II
Pa  P  P
a a

Pa  P(d1  c1 )  P(d1  d 2  c2 )
• ASN (Average Sampling Number)

ASN  n1 PI  (n1  n2 )(1  PI )

 n1  n2 (1  PI )
15 - 46
Double Sampling Plan (cont’d)
Example

15 - 47
 Double Sampling Plan (cont’d)

• Solution:

1
P 
a
I

d1  0
50 d1
Cd1 p (1  p ) 50  d1

1
P 
a
I

d1  0
50 d1
Cd1 (.05) (.95) 50  d1
 0.279

15 - 48
 Double Sampling Plan (cont’d)

• To obtain the probability of acceptance P II on the second

a
sample, we must list the number of ways the second sample
can be obtained. A second sample is drawn only if there are
c1 isdif1  c 2
two or three defectives in the first sample – that

d 1 d2 Decision
2 0 Accept
2 1 Accept
3 0 Accept

15 - 49
 Double Sampling Plan (cont’d)
Therefore,
1. P( d1  2, d 2  1)  P(d1  2)  P (d 2  1)
1
50 2
 C2 (.05) .(0.95) 50  2
  100Cd1 p d1 (0.95)100  d1
d1  0

 0.261 0.037
 0.009
2. P (d1  3, d 2  0)  P (d1  3)  P(d 2  0)
 50C3 (.05)3 .(0.95) 503 100 C0 p 0 (0.95)100 0
 0.220  0.0059
 0.001
PaII  P(d1  2, d 2  1)  P (d1  3, d 2  0)
 0.009  0.001
 0.010
15 - 50
 Double Sampling Plan (cont’d)

• Therefore,
I II
Pa  P  P
a a

 0.279  0.010
 0.289

15 - 51
 Double Sampling Plan (cont’d)
ASN  n1 Pd  (n1  n2 )(1  Pd )
Pd  P(Lot is accepted on the first sample) 
P (Lot is rejected on the first sample)
For Rectifying Inspection:

[ PaI ( N  n1 )  PaII ( N  n1  n2 )] p
AOQ  N
I II
ATI  n P  (n1  n2 ) P  N (1  Pa )
1 a a

15 - 52
 Sequential Sampling Plan

• Sequential Sampling is an extension of the double-sampling and multiple-sampling

concept.
• In sequential sampling, we take a sequence of samples from the lot and allow the
number of samples to be determined entirely by the results of the sampling
process.
• In practice, sequential sampling can theoretically continue indefinitely, until the lot is
inspected 100%.
• In practice, sequential-sampling plans are usually truncated after the number
inspected is equal to three times the number that would have been inspected using
a corresponding single-sampling plan.
• If the sample size selected at each stage is greater than one, the process is usually
called group sequential sampling.
• If the sample size inspected at each stage is one, the procedure is usually called
item-by-item sequential sampling.

15 - 53
 Item-by-Item Sequential Sampling Plan

• Item-by-item sequential sampling is based on the sequential probability ratio test

(SPRT).
• The cumulative observed number of defectives is plotted on the chart.
• For each point, the abscissa is the total number of items selected up to that
time, and the ordinate is the total number of observed defectives.
• If the plotted points stay within the boundaries of the acceptance and rejection
lines, another sample must be drawn.
• As soon as the point falls on or above the upper line, the lot is rejected.
• When a cumulative plot falls on or below the lower line, the lot is accepted.

15 - 54
 Item-by-Item Sequential Sampling Plan (cont’d)

The equations for the two limit lines for specified values of p1, 1 – a, p2, and b are

X A  h1  sn (Acceptance line)

X R  h2  sn (Rejection line)
where
1 α 
log 
 β   p2 1  p1  
h1  k  log 
k  p1 1  p2  
1 β 
log  1  p1  
 log 
h2   α   1  p2  
k s
k
15 - 55
Item-by-Item Sequential Sampling Plan (cont’d)

15 - 56
 Item-by-Item Sequential Sampling Plan (cont’d)

• Example:
• For p1=0.01, α=0.05, p2=0.06, and β=0.10
• k=0.80066,
• h1=1.22
• h2=1.57
• s=0.028

X A  1.22  0.028n ( Accept )

and
X R  1.57  0.028n (Reject)
15 - 57
 Multiple Sampling Plan
A Multiple Sampling Plan is similar to the double sampling plan in that
successive trials are made, each of which has acceptance, rejection
and inconclusive options.

Which Plan you choose depends on

. Cost and time
. Number of samples needed and number of items in each
sample

15 - 58
 Military Standard 105E
(ANSI/ASQC Z1.4, ISO 2859)

15 - 59
 Description of MIL STD 105E

• Standard Sampling procedures for inspection by attributes were developed

during World War II.

• MIL STD 105E is the most widely used acceptance sampling system for
attributes in the world today. The original version of the standard, MIL STD
105A, was issued in 1950. Since then, there have been four revisions; the
latest version was issued in 1989.

• MIL STD 105E is a collection of sampling schemes; therefore, it is an

acceptance sampling system.

15 - 60
 Description of MIL STD 105E (cont’d)
• The standard provides for three types of sampling, single sampling,
double sampling, and multiple sampling.

• For each type of sampling plan, a provision is made for either normal
inspection, tightened inspection, or reduced inspection.

• Normal inspection is used at the stat of the inspection activity.

• Tightened inspection is instituted when the vendor’s recent quality

history has deteriorated.
• Acceptance requirements for lots under tightened inspection are more
stringent than under normal inspection.

• Reduced inspection is instituted when the vendor’s recent quality history

has been exceptionally good. The sample size used under reduced
inspection is less than that under normal inspection.
15 - 61
 Description of MIL STD 105E (cont’d)
• The sample size used in MIL STD 105E is determined by the lot size and
by the choice of inspection level.
• Three general levels of inspection are provided.
 Level II is designated as normal.
 Level I requires about one-half the amount of inspection as Level II
and may be used when less discrimination is needed.
 Level III requires about twice as much inspection as Level II and
should be used when more discrimination is needed.

• There are also four special inspection levels, S-1, S-2, S-3 and S-4. The
special inspection levels use very small samples, and should only be
employed when the small sample sizes are necessary and when large
sampling risks can or must be tolerated.

15 - 62
 Description of MIL STD 105E (cont’d)

Switching Procedures
Switching procedures between normal, tightened, and reduced inspection:
1. Normal to tightened. When normal inspection is in effect, tightened inspection
is instituted when two out of five consecutive lots have been rejected on original
submission.

2. Tightened to normal. When tightened is in effect, reduced inspection is

instituted when five consecutive lots or batches are accepted on original
inspection.

15 - 63
 Description of MIL STD 105E (cont’d)
Switching Procedures (cont’d)
3. Normal to reduced. When normal inspection is in effect, reduced
inspection is instituted provided all four of the following conditions are
satisfied.
a. The preceding 10 lots have been on normal inspection, and none of
the lots have been rejected on original inspection.
b. The total number of defectives in the samples from the preceding 10
lots is less than or equal to the applicable limit number specified in the
standard.
c. Production is at a steady state; that is, no difficulty such as machine
breakdowns, material shortages, or other problems have recently
occurred.
d. Reduced inspection is considered by the authority responsible for
sampling.

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 Description of MIL STD 105E (cont’d)
Switching Procedures (cont’d)

4. Reduced to normal. When reduced inspection is in effect, normal

inspection is instituted provided any of the following four conditions has
been met.
a. A lot or batch is rejected.
b. When the sampling procedure terminates with neither acceptance nor
rejection criteria having been met, the lot or batch is accepted, but
normal inspection is reinstituted starting with the next lot.
c. Production is irregular or delayed.
d. Other conditions warrant that normal inspection be instituted.
5. Discontinue of Inspection. In the event that 10 consecutive lots remain on
tighten inspection, inspection under the provision of MIL, STD 105E should
be terminated, and action should be taken at the vendor level to improve
the quality of submitted lots.

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 Switching Rules for normal, tightened and reduced inspection

Start
“and” conditions

• production steady
• 10 consecutive lots 2 out of 5
accepted consecutive lots
rejected
• Approved by responsible
authority
Reduced Normal Tightened

“or” conditions
• Lot rejected 5 consecutive lots
• Irregular production accepted
• A lot meets neither the
10 consecutive lots
accept nor the reject remain on tightened
criteria inspection
• Other conditions warrant
return to normal inspection
Discontinue
inspection
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 Step-by-Step Procedure of MIL STD 105E (cont’d)
Step-by-Step Procedure
A step-by-step procedure for using MIL STD 105E is as follows:
1. Choose the AQL
2. Choose the Inspection Level
3. Determine the Lot Size
4. Find the appropriate sample code letter from Table 14-4.
5. Determine the appropriate type of sampling plan to use (single,
double, multiple).
6. Enter the appropriate table to find the type of plan to be used.
7. Determine the corresponding MIL STD 105E normal and reduced
inspection plans to be used when required.
• Normal Sampling Plan is to be used as long as supplier is producing the
product at AQL quality or better
• MIL STD 105E provides procedure for switching to tightened or reduced
inspection if there is an indication that the supplier’s quality has changed.
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Table 14.4 presents the sample size code letter for MIL, STD 105E
Tables 14-5, 14-6, and 14-7 presents the single sampling plan for normal,
tighten, and reduced inspection level respectively

Example:

Suppose a product is submitted in lots of size N=2000, AQL=0.65%

From Table 14.4 the code letter under general inspection level II is K
For single sampling plan:
From Table 14.5 under normal inspection level n=125, c=2
From Table 14.6 under tighten inspection level n=125, c=1
From Table 14.7 under reduced inspection level n=50, c=1

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 Sample Size Code Letters (MIL STD 105E, Table 14.4)
General Inspection
Special Inspection Levels Levels
Lot or Batch Size S-1 S-2 S-3 S-4 I II III
2 to 8 A A A A A A B
9 to 15 A A A A A B C
16 to 25 A A B B B C D
26 to 50 A B B C C D E
51 to 90 B B C C C E F
91 to 150 B B C D D F G
151 to 280 B C D E E G H
281 to 500 B C D E F H J
501 to 1200 C C E F G J K
1201 to 3200 C D E G H K L
3201 to 10000 C D F G J L M
10001 to 35000 C D F H K M N
35001 to 150000 D E G J L N P
150001 to 500000 D E G J M P Q
500001 and over D E H K N Q R
Other charts and tables are available on the courses website under resources.
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Normal Inspection Single Sampling (MIL STD 105E, Table 14.5)

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Tighten Inspection Single Sampling (MIL STD 105E, Table 14.6)

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Reduced Inspection Single Sampling (MIL STD 105E, Table 14.7)

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