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Measurement System Analysis (MSA)

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MSA
– Measurement System Analysis –

⇓ Introduction to MSA

⇓ What is MSA

⇓ Why Perform MSA

⇓ How to Perform MSA

⇓ Learn More About MSA

Introduction to Measurement System Analysis (MSA)

Everyday our lives are being impacted by more and more data. We have become a data driven
society. In business and industry we are using data in more ways than ever before. Today
manufacturing companies gather massive amounts of information through measurement and
inspection. When this measurement data is being used to make decisions regarding the process and
the business in general it is vital that the data is accurate. If there are errors in our measurement
system we will be making decisions based on incorrect data. We could be making incorrect decisions
or producing non-conforming parts. A properly planned and executed Measurement System Analysis
(MSA) can help build a strong foundation for any data based decision making process.

What is Measurement System Analysis (MSA)

MSA is defined as an experimental and mathematical method of determining the amount of
variation that exists within a measurement process. Variation in the measurement process can

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directly contribute to our overall process variability. MSA is used to certify the measurement system
for use by evaluating the system’s accuracy, precision and stability.

What is a Measurement System?

Before we dive further into MSA, we should review the definition of a measurement system and
some of the common sources of variation. A measurement system has been described as a system of
related measures that enables the quantification of particular characteristics. It can also include a
collection of gages, fixtures, software and personnel required to validate a particular unit of measure
or make an assessment of the feature or characteristic being measured. The sources of variation in a
measurement process can include the following:

Process – test method, specification

Personnel – the operators, their skill level, training, etc.
Tools / Equipment – gages, fixtures, test equipment used and their associated calibration
systems
Items to be measured – the part or material samples measured, the sampling plan, etc.
Environmental factors – temperature, humidity, etc.

All of these possible sources of variation should be considered during Measurement System Analysis.
Evaluation of a measurement system should include the use of specific quality tools to identify the
most likely source of variation. Most MSA activities examine two primary sources of variation, the
parts and the measurement of those parts. The sum of these two values represents the total variation
in a measurement system.

Why Perform Measurement System Analysis (MSA)

An effective MSA process can help assure that the data being collected is accurate and the system of
collecting the data is appropriate to the process. Good reliable data can prevent wasted time, labor
and scrap in a manufacturing process. A major manufacturing company began receiving calls from
several of their customers reporting non-compliant materials received at their facilities sites. The
parts were not properly snapping together to form an even surface or would not lock in place. The
process was audited and found that the parts were being produced out of spec. The operator was
following the inspection plan and using the assigned gages for the inspection. The problem was that
the gage did not have adequate resolution to detect the non-conforming parts. An ineffective
measurement system can allow bad parts to be accepted and good parts to be rejected, resulting in
dissatisfied customers and excessive scrap. MSA could have prevented the problem and assured that
accurate useful data was being collected.

How to Perform Measurement System Analysis (MSA)

MSA is a collection of experiments and analysis performed to evaluate a measurement system’s
capability, performance and amount of uncertainty regarding the values measured. We should review
the measurement data being collected, the methods and tools used to collect and record the data.
Our goal is to quantify the effectiveness of the measurement system, analyze the variation in the
data and determine its likely source. We need to evaluate the quality of the data being collected in
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regards to location and width variation. Data collected should be evaluated for bias, stability and
linearity.
During an MSA activity, the amount of measurement uncertainty must be evaluated for each type of
gage or measurement tool defined within the process Control Plans. Each tool should have the
correct level of discrimination and resolution to obtain useful data. The process, the tools being used
(gages, fixtures, instruments, etc.) and the operators are evaluated for proper definition, accuracy,
precision, repeatability and reproducibility.

Data Classifications
Prior to analyzing the data and or the gages, tools or fixtures we must determine the type of data
being collected. The data could be attribute data or variable data. Attribute data is classified into
specific values where variable or continuous data can have an infinite number of values. More
detailed definitions can be found below.

The Master Sample

To perform a study, you should first obtain a sample and establish the reference value compared to a
traceable standard. Some processes will already have “master samples” established for the high and
low end of the expected measurement specification.

The Gage R&R Study

For gages or instruments used to collect variable continuous data, Gage Repeatability and
Reproducibility (Gage R & R) can be performed to evaluate the level of uncertainty within a
measurement system. To perform a Gage R & R, first select the gage to be evaluated. Then perform
the following steps:

Obtain at least 10 random samples of parts manufactured during a regular production run
Choose three operators that regularly perform the particular inspection
Have each of the operators measure the sample parts and record the data
Repeat the measurement process three times with each operator using the same parts
Calculate the average (mean) readings and the range of the trial averages for each of the
operators
Calculate the difference of each operator’s averages, average range and the range of
measurements for each sample part used in the study
Calculate repeatability to determine the amount of equipment variation
Calculate reproducibility to determine the amount of variation introduced by the operators
Calculate the variation in the parts and total variation percentages

The resulting Gage R & R percentage is used as a basis for accepting the gage. Guidelines for making
the determination are found below:

The measurement system is acceptable if the Gage R & R score falls below 10%
The measurement system may be determined acceptable depending upon the relative
importance of the application or other factors if the Gage R & R falls between 10% to 20%
Any measurement system with Gage R & R greater than 30% requires action to improve
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Any actions identified to improve the measurement system should be evaluated for
effectiveness

When interpreting the results of a Gage R & R, perform a comparison study of the repeatability and
reproducibility values. If the repeatability value is large in comparison to the reproducibility value, it
would indicate a possible issue with the gage used for the study. The gage may need to be replaced
or re-calibrated. Adversely, if the reproducibility value is large in comparison with the repeatability
value, it would indicate the variation is operator related. The operator may need additional training
on the proper use of the gage or a fixture may be required to assist the operator in using the gage.

Gage R & R studies shall be conducted under any of the following circumstances:

Whenever a new or different measurement system is introduced

Following any improvement activities
When a different type of measurement system is introduced
Following any improvement activities performed on the current measurement system due to
the results of a previous Gage R & R study
Annually in alignment with set calibration schedule of the gage

Attribute Gage R & R

Attribute measurement systems can be analyzed using a similar method. Measurement uncertainty
of attribute gages shall be calculated using shorter method as below:

Determine the gage to be studied

Obtain 10 random samples from a regular production run
Select 2 different operators who perform the particular inspection activity regularly
Have the operators perform the inspection two times for each of the sample parts and record
the data
Next, calculate the kappa value.
When the kappa value is greater than 0.6, the gage is deemed acceptable
If not, the gage may need to be replaced or calibrated

The attribute gage study should be performed based on the same criteria listed previously for the
Gage R & R study.

During MSA, the Gage R&R or the attribute gage study should be completed on each of the gages,
instruments or fixtures used in the measurement system. The results should be documented and
stored in a database for future reference. It may be required for a PPAP submission to the customer.
Furthermore, if any issues should arise, a new study can be performed on the gage and the results
compared to the previous data to determine if a change has occurred. A properly performed MSA
can have a dramatic influence on the quality of data being collected and product quality.

Key Terms and Definitions

Attribute data – Data that can be counted for recording and analysis (sometimes referred to as
go/ no go data)
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Variable data – Data that can be measured; data that has a value that can vary from one sample
to the next; continuous variable data can have an infinite number of values
Bias – Difference between the average or mean observed value and the target value
Stability – A change in the measurement bias over a period of time
A stable process would be considered in “statistical control”
Linearity – A change in bias value within the range of normal process operation
Resolution – Smallest unit of measure of a selected tool gage or instrument; the sensitivity of
the measurement system to process variation for a particular characteristic being measured
Accuracy – The closeness of the data to the target or exact value or to an accepted reference
value
Precision – How close a set of measurements are to each other
Repeatability – A measure of the effectiveness of the tool being used; the variation of
measurements obtained by a single operator using the same tool to measure the same
characteristic
Reproducibility – A measure of the operator variation; the variation in a set of data collected by
different operators using the same tool to measure the same part characteristic

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Learn More About Measurement System Analysis (MSA)

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Discover the Value of MSA Consulting, MSA Training or MSA Project Support.

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