This paper introduces a technique that can be used in the early manufacturing process design stage to select from among the set of quality characteristics a smaller set that is adequate to ensure a product meets yield specifications. The critical subset of quality characteristics needed to ensure yield are identified, based upon a conditional probability model that ensures all specifications are met, given that the critical subset is met. The approach is demonstrated using a sheet stretch forming manufacturing system from the aerospace industry.

1.
Frey, D., 1997, “Using Product Tolerances to Drive Manufacturing System Design,” ScD thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
2.
Frey
,
D.
,
Otto
,
K.
, and
Taketani
,
S.
,
2001
, “
Manufacturing Block Diagrams and Optimal Adjustment Procedures
,”
ASME J. Manuf. Sci. Eng.
,
123
, No.
1
, pp.
119
127
.
3.
Frey
,
D.
,
Otto
,
K.
, and
Wysocki
,
J.
,
2000
, “
Evaluating Process Capability During the Design of Manufacturing Systems
,”
ASME J. Manuf. Sci. Eng.
,
122
, No.
3
, pp.
513
519
.
4.
Soyucayli
,
S.
, and
Otto
,
K.
,
1998
, “
Simultaneous Engineering of Quality Through Integrated Modeling
,”
ASME J. Mech. Des.
,
120
, No.
2
, pp.
210
220
.
5.
Suri
,
R.
, and
Otto
,
K.
,
1999
, “
Variation Modeling for a Sheet Stretch Forming Manufacturing System
,”
CIRP Ann.
,
48
, No.
1
, pp.
397
400
.
6.
Harry, M., and Lawson, J., 1992, Six Sigma Producibility Analysis and Process Characterization, Addison Wesley, Reading, MA.
7.
Taam
,
W.
,
Subbaiah
,
P.
, and
Liddy
,
J.
,
1993
, “
A Note on Multivariate Process Capability Indices
,”
J. Applied Statistics
,
20
, pp.
339
351
.
8.
Thornton
,
A.
,
1996
, “
Key Characteristics
,”
Target
,
12
, No.
5
, pp.
14
19
.
9.
Thornton, A., 1997, “Using Key Characteristics to Balance Cost and Quality During Product Development,” Proc. R. Soc. London, Ser. A, September 14–17, 1997, Sacramento, DETC97/DTM3899.
10.
Clausing, D., 1995, “EQFD and Taguchi Effective Systems Engineering,” First Pacific Rim Symposium of Quality Development, February, Sydney.
11.
Hocken
,
R.
,
Raja
,
J.
, and
Babu
,
U.
,
1993
, “
Sampling Issues in Coordinate Metrology
,”
Manufacturing Review
,
6
, No.
4
, pp.
282
294
.
12.
Choi
,
W.
,
Kurfess
,
T.
, and
Cagan
,
J.
,
1998
, “
Sampling Uncertainty in Coordinate Measurement Data Analysis
,”
The Journal of the American Society for Precision Engineering
,
22
, No.
3
, pp.
153
163
.
13.
Wang, Y., and Nagakar, S., 1997, “Optimal Sensor Location Design in Automated Coordinate Checking Fixtures,” Proceedings of the 1997 IEEE International Symposium on Assembly and Task Planning, Marina del Rey, CA, pp. 140–145.
14.
Fussell, P., and Novic, B., 1996, “On the Manufactured Part Model Approach to Characterize Shape,” MED-Vol. 4, ASME Manufacturing Science and Engineering, pp. 463–471.
15.
Khan, A., Ceglarek, D., Shi, J., and Ni, J., 1995, “An Optimal Sensor Location Methodology for Fixture Fault Diagnosis,” Manufacturing Science and Engineering, MED-Vol. 2.2, ASME, pp. 1165–1176.
16.
Suri, R., 1999, “An Integrated System Model for Reducing Variation in Manufacturing Systems,” ScD Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA.
17.
Kane
,
V. E.
,
1986
, “
Process Capability Indices
,”
J. Quality Technol.
,
18
, No.
1
, pp.
41
52
.
18.
Parris, A., 1996, “Precision Stretch Forming of Metal for Precision Assembly,” ScD Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA.
You do not currently have access to this content.