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MSA Fundamentals

This document discusses measurement system analysis (MSA), which is used to quantify the variation introduced through the measurement process. MSA assesses sources of error such as precision (repeatability and reproducibility), accuracy (stability, linearity, resolution, and bias), and compares measurement systems. It is important for evaluating measurement tools and processes, determining true process variation, and ensuring measurement data quality. The document provides examples of how and why MSA is used.

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45 views11 pages

MSA Fundamentals

This document discusses measurement system analysis (MSA), which is used to quantify the variation introduced through the measurement process. MSA assesses sources of error such as precision (repeatability and reproducibility), accuracy (stability, linearity, resolution, and bias), and compares measurement systems. It is important for evaluating measurement tools and processes, determining true process variation, and ensuring measurement data quality. The document provides examples of how and why MSA is used.

Uploaded by

abhay63
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MSA Fundamentals

Measurement System Analysis

MSA is a mathematical procedure to quantify variation introduced to


a process or product by the act of measuring.

Item to be Reference
Measured Measurement
Operator Measurement Equipment
Process

Procedure
Environment

The item to be measured can be a physical part, document or a scenario for customer service.
Operator can refer to a person or can be different instruments measuring the same products.
Reference is a standard that is used to calibrate the equipment.
Procedure is the method used to perform the test.
Equipment is the device used to measure the product.
Environment is the surroundings where the measures are performed.

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Measurement Purpose

In order to be worth collecting measurements must provide value - that is, they
must provide us with information and, ultimately, knowledge.

The question…

What do I need to know?


…must be answered before we begin to consider issues of measurements, metrics,
statistics or data collection systems.

Too often organizations build complex data collection and information


management systems without truly understanding how the data collected and
metrics calculated actually benefit the organization.

5 © Open Source Six Sigma, LLC


Purpose

The purpose of MSA is to assess any error due to inaccuracy of our


measurement systems.
The error can be partitioned into specific sources:
– Precision
• Repeatability - within an operator or piece of equipment
• Reproducibility - operator to operator or attribute gage to
attribute gage
– Accuracy
• Stability - accuracy over time
• Linearity- accuracy throughout the measurement range
• Resolution – how detailed is the information
• Bias – Off-set from true value
– Constant Bias
– Variable Bias – typically seen with electronic equipment,
amount of Bias changes with setting levels

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Accuracy and Precision

Accurate but not precise - On Precise but not accurate - The


average these shots are in the center average is not on the center but the
of the target but there is a lot of variability is small
variability

7 © Open Source Six Sigma, LLC


MSA Uses

MSA can be used to:

Compare internal inspection standards with the standards of your customer.

Highlight areas where calibration training is required.

Provide a method to evaluate inspector training effectiveness as well as


serve as an excellent training tool.

Provide a great way to:


– Compare existing measurement equipment.
– Qualify new inspection equipment.

8 © Open Source Six Sigma, LLC


Why MSA?

Measurement System Analysis is important to:


• Study the % of variation in our process caused by our measurement
system.
• Compare measurements between operators.
• Compare measurements between two (or more) measurement
devices.
• Provide criteria to accept new measurement systems (consider new
equipment).
• Evaluate a suspect gage.
• Evaluate a gage before and after repair.
• Determine true process variation.
• Evaluate effectiveness of training program.

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Appropriate Measures

Appropriate Measures are:


• Sufficient – available to be measured regularly

• Relevant –help to understand/isolate the problems

• Representative - of the process across shifts and people

• Contextual – collected with other relevant information that might


explain process variability.

Wadda ya
wanna
measure!?!
10 © Open Source Six Sigma, LLC
Poor Measures

Poor Measures can result from:


• Poor or non-existent operational definitions
• Difficult measures
• Poor sampling
• Lack of understanding of the definitions
• Inaccurate, insufficient or non-calibrated measurement
devices

Measurement Error compromises decisions affecting:


• Customers
• Producers
• Suppliers

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Examples of What to Measure

Examples of what and when to measure:


• Primary and secondary metrics
• Decision points in Process Maps
• Any and all gauges, measurement devices, instruments, etc
• “X’s” in the process
• Prior to Hypothesis Testing
• Prior to modeling
• Prior to planning designed experiments
• Before and after process changes
• To qualify operators

MSA is a Show Stopper!!!


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Components of Variation

Whenever you measure anything the variation you observe can be


segmented into the following components…

Observed Variation

Unit-to-unit (true) Variation Measurement System Error

Precision Accuracy

Repeatability Reproducibility Stability Bias Linearity

All measurement systems have error. If you do not know how much of the variation
you observe is contributed by measurement system error you cannot make confident
decisions.

If you were one speeding ticket away from losing your license how fast
would you be willing to drive on your local freeway?
13 © Open Source Six Sigma, LLC

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